Who was Liliuokalani and Her Promises in Hawaii?
Who was Liliuokalani? What did she promise to do in Hawaii?
Liliuokalani, also known as Lydia Kamakaeha Liliuokalani, was the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii. She became the queen in 1891 after the death of her brother, King Kalākaua. Liliuokalani was a strong advocate for the rights of the Hawaiian people and sought to protect the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom. One of the promises she made was to address the unequal power dynamics that were forced upon the Hawaiian monarchy. During her reign, she worked towards drafting a new constitution that would restore power to the monarchy and protect the rights of the Hawaiian people.
The Reign of Liliuokalani
Liliuokalani ascended to the throne in 1891 and immediately faced challenges from foreign powers, especially the United States, who sought to increase their influence in Hawaii. Despite these challenges, she remained dedicated to the well-being of her people and the preservation of Hawaiian culture.
Liliuokalani's Promises
One of the key promises Liliuokalani made was to address the Bayonet Constitution that was forced upon her brother, King Kalākaua, in 1887. This constitution severely limited the power of the monarchy and gave more control to American and European landowners in Hawaii.
Liliuokalani sought to draft a new constitution that would restore power to the monarchy and provide more rights and protections for the Hawaiian people. However, before she could implement these changes, a group of American businessmen and politicians staged a coup against her in 1893.
The Overthrow of Liliuokalani
Due to pressure from the U.S. government and the threat of military intervention, Liliuokalani was forced to abdicate the throne in 1893. The Kingdom of Hawaii was illegally overthrown, and Liliuokalani was arrested and imprisoned in her own palace.
Despite her efforts to protect the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Liliuokalani ultimately could not prevent the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898. She continued to advocate for the restoration of the monarchy and the rights of the Hawaiian people until her death in 1917.