Notes on the Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom
Origins and Sovereignty
Ancient Hawaiian stories speak of the cosmos's origins, with Papa (earth mother) and Wakir (sky father) uniting to create the world, including Hawaii.
The Hawaiian people, Kanaka Maoli, consider these islands their ancestral home and were sovereign long before the existence of England or the United States.
By the 19th century, Hawaii was recognized as an independent nation by major world powers.
Early Impressions of Hawaiians
Early observers, including the British, were impressed by the industry, agricultural perfection, cleanliness, and honesty of the Hawaiian people.
Captain Cook's arrival in 1778 marked a significant moment. However, differing cultural attitudes existed; for example, the British had severe attitudes toward dancing and celebrations.
The Calvinists focused on what they perceived as destitution, degradation, and barbarism among the Hawaiian people. They wanted to institute a New England way of life, requiring them to adopt foreign customs, farming methods, and abandon their traditions.
The Calvinists believed that the Hawaiians' suffering was due to their lack of belief in Calvinist principles.
American Interests and the Tyler Doctrine
The Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) were seen as valuable due to their location on trade routes between North America and Eastern Asia. American policy in the 1840s aimed to prevent Great Britain or France from seizing the islands.
The Tyler Doctrine, enunciated by President Tyler, was a Pacific version of the Monroe Doctrine, asserting American dominance in the region.
At the time, the Americans were also continuing to dispossess Native Americans on the continent.
Land Privatization: The Māhele of 1848
Foreigners increasingly pressured chiefs for private land ownership. Initially, chiefs resisted, viewing land as communal, like water or air.
The missionaries warned the chiefs that without Western land tenure, they would lose their land, as was happening in other Pacific regions.
In 1848, the chiefs reluctantly agreed to the privatization of land, known as the Māhele. This allowed land to be bought and sold for the first time.
Missionaries began acquiring large tracts of land, becoming merchants and establishing what would become multinational corporations. The Land Commission, run by missionaries, awarded land to only 10% of common people, averaging three acres apiece.
Sugar Plantations and Pearl Harbor
Foreigners established large sugar plantations, aiming for high yearly profits. They acquired land by any means possible.
To maintain their competitive edge in sugar production, they sought Pearl River Lagoon (Pearl Harbor).
In 1873, the U.S. military identified Pearl River Harbor as ideal for conversion into a harbor of refuge, defensible by inexpensive batteries, and with waters deep enough for large warships.
Annexation and King David Kalākaua
The American military's interest in Pearl Harbor fueled the idea of annexing Hawaii. Hawaiians opposed this, feeling bitter about foreigners taking their land.
King David Kalākaua aimed to preserve Hawaii's independence. He caused a stir in Washington D.C. due to his graciousness and handsomeness.
Although well-disposed toward Americans, Kalākaua opposed ceding Pearl Harbor as a naval station.
Reciprocity Treaty and Immigration
The reciprocity treaty was signed, leading to increased sugar exports to the United States and a surge in sugar plantations, which in turn increased the demand for labor. Between 1877 and 1890, Hawaii saw a 33% increase in immigrants, totaling 55,000 new arrivals.
Simultaneously, the native population declined due to disease and dispossession. Kalākaua aimed to increase the native population to secure the government's stability and national independence.
Kalākaua's Efforts and Opposition
Kalākaua tried to project an image of strong administration. He attempted to sign an Asian federation treaty with Japan and a Polynesian federation treaty with Samoa. His aim was to demonstrate Hawaii's significance on the world stage.
By that time, many Hawaiians understood the Western system. This earned Kalākaua the opposition of Commissioner Gang, who questioned the fitness of natives for high office. The Hawaiian League, composed of white Americans, sought annexation and had a subgroup called the Honolulu Rifles.
Bayonet Constitution of 1887
This constitution allowed foreigners the right to vote if they had money. The goal was to replace democratic native voting with oligarchic white missionary dominance.
Queen Liliʻuokalani and Overthrow
Queen Liliʻuokalani asserted herself upon ascending to the throne and sought to inaugurate a new constitution. The U.S. minister to Hawaii, John L. Stevens, sought to Americanize the islands and saw it as a holy mission to bring Hawaii under American influence.
Stevens believed America needed Hawaii for expansion. He considered the monarchy an impediment to good government.
U.S. Military Intervention
In 1893, the USS Boston was ordered to Honolulu under the command of Captain G. Wilkes. The United States had embarked on a shipbuilding program in the 1880s, and the USS Boston was a state-of-the-art battleship, equipped with powerful guns:
Two 8-inch central pivot high powered guns mounted in echelon.
Six 6-inch high powered guns mounted in broadside pivots.
Rapid fire guns and revolving cannon.
Annexationist Efforts
The annexation club, consisting of sugar industry and related business people, aimed to end the monarchy and cede Hawaii to the United States. They consulted with John Stevens.
In 1892, Lauren Thurston, an annexationist, lobbied for annexation in Washington D.C., with the Harrison presidency.
Attempted Proclamation of a New Constitution
The queen met with her cabinet to announce a new constitution. Thousands of Hawaiians gathered to support this move.
However, the cabinet ministers hesitated to sign the new constitution, fearing an uprising. The queen reluctantly told her people that they had to wait.
Committee of Safety
The Committee of Safety, supported by Minister Stevens, sought military strategy. Charles Wilson, marshal of the kingdom, aimed to prevent any pretext for the U.S. to land troops.
He proposed arresting the ringleaders of the Committee of Safety for treason and placing the island under martial law. Attorney General Peterson cautioned against conflict with U.S. troops.
Landing of U.S. Marines
At 9:00 AM on Monday morning, the Committee of Safety requested protection from U.S. forces, claiming the queen's actions had created alarm and terror. Stevens then ordered troops to land.
Troops from the USS Boston landed, fully armed, with the stated purpose of protecting the U.S. Legation and Consulate, American citizens, and preserving public order.
Provisional Government
At 11:00 AM, Dole accepted the presidency of the provisional government. Instructions were given to the police to arrest armed individuals. A policeman was shot when trying to stop a wagon carrying arms to the armory.
Cooper read a proclamation establishing a provisional government to exist until terms of union with the United States have been agreed upon.
Queen Liliʻuokalani's Surrender
The queen's government controlled the barracks and the police station. The queen chose not to resist, to avoid striking at the military forces of the United States and sacrificing lives.
She yielded to superior force, surrendering under protest, awaiting justice from the American republic.
Aftermath and Annexation
The provisional government instituted martial law, enforcing oaths of allegiance. The new government faced dissension, leading to a declaration of the American protectorate.
The Hawaiian pear was considered ripe for the plucking by annexationists. Commissioners were sent to Washington to negotiate an annexation treaty with the Harrison administration.
Cleveland's Investigation
However, Grover Cleveland withdrew the annexation treaty from the Senate and sent James Blount to Hawaii to investigate.
Blount's report stated that annexation was not supported by the people of Hawaii. He directed the removal of the U.S. flag from government buildings.
Racist Arguments for Annexation
Despite the findings, the provisional government dug in its heels, claiming to be the only legitimate government.
Arguments for annexation in the U.S. Congress often carried racist undertones, portraying Hawaii as a child needing guidance from America.
The strategic importance of Hawaii to the United States ultimately secured annexation in the Senate and the House.
In short order, the United States took Wake, Guam, Samoa, Philippines, and Puerto Rico.
Annexation Ceremony
A battalion of 319 men from the USS Philadelphia and the USS Mohican were met at the boat landing and escorted to the grounds directly in front of the official platform.
The signal was given, and a salute of 21 guns was fired in honor of the Hawaiian flag. The bands played the national anthem Hawaii Pono e.
The United States took possession of Hawaii in 1898.
Modern Hawaii
After more than a century of dispossession, the Kanaka Maoli are reclaiming their history, language, and rights to the land and self-determination.
They are seeking to take their place among the family of nations.