Turning Tide Ch.9

Parity or Submission: The Political Landscape of Hawai'i in the 19th Century

Recognition and Governance

With the recognition of Hawai'i's independence by major powers like France and Great Britain, the immediate threat of annexation faded. During this period, the island kingdom found some breathing room as these nations were preoccupied with their own territorial interests, such as France in Tahiti and Great Britain in New Zealand, while the United States pursued westward expansion. Despite this respite, most treaties with Western powers remained decidedly one-sided, leading to skepticism among the keiki o ka 'aina (children of the land) about the increasing influence of Caucasians in King Kauikeaouli's government.

The Declaration of Rights and Public Sentiment

The Declaration of Rights, formulated in 1839 to protect the rights of the king's subjects, along with the constitution of 1840, primarily authored by educated Hawaiians David Malo, Samuel Manaiakalani Kamakau, and John Papa 'I'i, reflected an attempt to appease the growing foreign presence while preserving local governance. In Lāhainā, an intellectual hub within the kingdom, unease heightened among the populace due to increasing foreign influence, prompting fervent prayer meetings and petitions directed at the monarch and legislature.

Petitions and Espoused Concerns

In April 1845, the first petition from Lāhainā, signed by 1,600 maka'ainana (commoners), articulated significant concerns regarding foreign governance. It argued against foreigners holding governmental positions, being granted citizenship, or owning land. This sentiment was mirrored in petitions from Lana'i and Kailua-Kona, with the latter being particularly forceful in advocating for the limitation of foreign influence in governance and governance roles confined to advisory positions.

Legislative Responses

The government responded to the petitions on July 2, 1845, drafting an official reply that acknowledged the necessity of foreign advisors to conduct business with other nations while promising that, in the future, native chiefs would be educated accordingly to assume these roles. This document, signed by prominent government officials including John Young and John Papa 'I'i, aimed to reassure the citizens that the influx of foreign advisors was a temporary measure to navigate diplomatic affairs.

Activism and Resistance

Karma M. Sanchez-Garcia noted that the petitions and letters from 1845 showcased a grassroots awareness among the maka'ainana concerning their political precariousness. Faced with the looming threat of foreign governance, they voiced the necessity to retain their nation’s sovereignty and their traditional lifestyle, leading to an unprecedented proactive stance against the encroaching foreign influence.

The Role of Foreigners in Governance

The complexities of foreign interference were evident in foreign ministers like Wyllie, who proposed bringing in settlers to bolster agriculture, alongside other foreign interests eager to exploit resources within the islands. The maka'ainana's discontent highlighted concerns on how constitutional government might disrupt traditional power structures and open the doors to exploitation.

Diplomatic Maneuvering and Internal Strife

As pressures mounted, the legislative assembly’s response demonstrated a keen awareness of the broader geopolitical landscape. Notably, Kamehameha III's administration relied heavily on the support of familiar foreign advisors like Judd and Richards—missionaries who had integrated into Hawaiian society—while struggling to understand the duplicity of foreign agendas.

Health Crisis and Increased Pressure on the Monarchy

The arrival of a smallpox epidemic in 1853 compounded the monarchy’s struggles, with governmental criticism rising from various quarters, including a newly formed Committee of Thirteen that openly flirted with the idea of annexation and revolution. This reflected growing dissatisfaction among the predominantly American population that viewed the monarchy as a barrier to their expansionist dreams.

The Political Consequences of Economic Interests

Political tensions escalated further due to the strategic interests surrounding sugar plantation owners who desired reciprocity agreements with the United States, leading to broader questions about governance, sovereignty, and national identity amid the intensifying presence of American and European interests.

The Bayonet Constitution

The situation reached a tipping point when pressure from the Committee of Thirteen culminated in the imposition of the ‘Bayonet Constitution’ in 1887, dramatically curtailing royal authority and effectively transferring power to the predominantly Caucasian cabinet, further complicating the struggle for Hawai'i’s sovereignty.

Kamehameha V and the Continued Quest for Independence

In the ensuing years, Kamehameha V took a stand against annexation while attempting to uphold Hawaiian culture and traditions amidst increasing foreign influence. His administration succeeded in negotiating treaties that reflected a more equitable framework for foreign relations and sought to stabilize Hawai’i’s autonomy.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite these efforts, the geopolitical climate deteriorated, and the hopes of Hawaiian leaders to maintain an independent nation were continuously undermined by colonial ambitions of Western powers, signaling an increasingly precarious future for the Hawai'ian monarchy.

The Looming Threat of Annexation

As international dynamics shifted towards greater American imperialism, the stage was set for a confrontation between local aspirations for a sovereign existence and the encroaching designs of the United States, which would ultimately culminate in the historical annexation of Hawai'i in the early 20th century.