For Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, I wanted to rewrite an article I produced a couple of years ago about the history of Hawai’i, its culture, music, and its queen. I hope you find it insightful.
Lā Kū’oko’a, or Hawaiian Independence Day, commemorates the day the Hawaiian Kingdom was acknowledged as an independent nation during the reign of Kamehameha III (born Kauikeaouli). This recognition came through the efforts of diplomats Timoteo Ha’alilio, William Richards, and Sir George Simpson, who journeyed to Europe and secured the 1843 Anglo-French Declaration on November 28.
For half a century, this holiday was widely celebrated until the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown by a group of businessmen with the support of American forces in 1893. Although a U.S. investigation deemed the occupation unlawful, Hawai’i remained under the control of these businessmen until the United States annexed the sovereign nation in 1898. Despite these events, Lā Kū’oko’a has seen a resurgence in recent years among communities striving to honor Hawaiian culture and history [1].
A Monarch’s Legacy
Queen Lili’uokalani, born Lydia Lili’u Kamaka’eha in 1838, was the daughter of high-ranking chiefs and advisors to Kamehameha III. In line with tradition, she was raised by parents of a higher rank, being adopted by another chief’s family. Baptized as a Christian at age four, she received her education at a missionary-run school established by missionaries who arrived on the islands in 1820.
As Lili’uokalani matured, she became closely associated with the royal court of Kamehameha IV, during a period when many countries were expanding their territories, and the strategically located Kingdom of Hawai’i drew significant interest. A gifted musician, Lili’uokalani composed many songs, including the famous “Aloha ‘Oe,” written in 1878, which has become synonymous with Hawaiian culture [2].
“To compose was as natural to me as to breathe. My ancestors were particularly gifted as lovers of poetry and music. And yet there are few, if any, written compositions of the music of Hawaii, except those published by me.”
Lili’uokalani, “Hawaii’s Story” (1898)
The Hewa | Overthrow
While early missionaries collaborated with Hawaiian nobility (ali’i), establishing schools, a written language [6], and a constitutional monarchy, their descendants were less benevolent. These descendants, who formed plantations and sought power, called themselves ‘The Missionary Party’ and opposed their forebears by pushing for U.S. control over Hawai’i and exploiting the island’s resources.
King Kalākaua, Lili’uokalani’s brother, ascended to the throne in 1874. Thirteen years later, ‘The Missionary Party’ formed a militia and coerced the King into signing the ‘Bayonet Constitution,’ a piece of legislation that drastically reduced the King’s power and the rights of the Hawaiian people. Kalākaua’s death four years later left Lili’uokalani to champion the cause of her people.
Throughout her life, Queen Lili’uokalani endeavored to restore the monarchy and the rights of her people. Despite the takeover by businessmen who installed President Sanford B. Dole as their leader on July 4, 1894, she continued her efforts. She petitioned US President Grover Cleveland, who agreed she should be reinstated, but Congress rejected the proposal [2].
After eight months, Lili’uokalani was placed under house arrest, during which she composed songs expressing her love for her people and culture. Unlike Cleveland, President William McKinley had no ties to the Queen and, seeing strategic value in the islands during the Spanish-American War, declared Hawai’i a US territory on July 7, 1898 [3].
“It is for them that I would give the last drop of my blood; it is for them that I would spend, nay, am spending, everything belonging to me.”
Lili’uokalani, “Hawaii’s Story” (1898)
To learn more, please explore the references and additional resources below!
References
[1] Lā Kūʻokoʻa | Hawaiian Independence Day
• Lā Kūʻokoʻa | Hawaiian Independence Day—YouTube | Hilo High School
[2] Queen Lili‘uokalani – The First and Last Queen of Hawai‘i | Unladylike2020 |
American Masters | PBS
• Queen Lili‘uokalani – The First and Last Queen of Hawai‘i | Unladylike2020 | American
Masters | PBS—YouTube | American Masters PBS
[3] The dark history of the overthrow of Hawaii – Sydney Iaukea
• The dark history of the overthrow of Hawaii – Sydney Iaukea—YouTube | TED-Ed
Additional Resources
The Fight To Take Back Hawaii | Foreign Correspondent
• The Fight To Take Back Hawaii | Foreign Correspondent—YouTube | ABC News In-depth
Aloha Authentic Ep 104: ʻIolani Palace – The Former Residence of Hawaiian Royalty
• Aloha Authentic Ep 104: ʻIolani Palace – The Former Residence of Hawaiian Royalty—
YouTube | KHON2 News
Hawaii’s Legacy of Literacy: Puakea Nogelmeier at TEDxManoa
• Hawaii’s Legacy of Literacy: Puakea Nogelmeier at TEDxManoa—YouTube | TEDx Talks
Hawaiian Language Masters | Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox
• Hawaiian Language Masters | Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox—YouTube | PBS
Hawaiʻi
The Hawaiian Language | Insights on PBS Hawai’i
• The Hawaiian Language | Insights on PBS Hawai’i—YouTube | PBS Hawaiʻi
ʻĀhaʻi ʻŌlelo Ola: Building Hawaiian Language Capacity in Government
• ʻĀhaʻi ʻŌlelo Ola: Building Hawaiian Language Capacity in Government—YouTube |
OiwiTV
Larry Lindsey Kimura | Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox
• Larry Lindsey Kimura | Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox—YouTube | PBS Hawaiʻi
Puakea Nogelmeier, Part One | LONG STORY SHORT WITH LESLIE WILCOX | PBS
Hawaiʻi
• Puakea Nogelmeier, Part One | LONG STORY SHORT WITH LESLIE WILCOX | PBS
Hawaiʻi—YouTube | PBS Hawaiʻi
Puakea Nogelmeier, Part Two | Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox
• Puakea Nogelmeier, Part Two | Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox—YouTube | PBS
HawaiʻiHawaiiana | PBS HAWAIʻI PRESENTS
• Hawaiiana | PBS HAWAIʻI PRESENTS—YouTube | PBS Hawaiʻi
What Would It Take to Achieve Hawaiian Sovereignty? | Insights on PBS Hawai’i
• What Would It Take to Achieve Hawaiian Sovereignty? | Insights on PBS Hawai’i—
YouTube | PBS Hawaiʻi
Quiet Title | Insights on PBS Hawai’i
• Quiet Title | Insights on PBS Hawai’i—YouTube | PBS Hawaiʻi
‘A family against a billionaire’: twist in battle over Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian estate
• ‘A family against a billionaire’: twist in battle over Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian estate—The
Guardian | Jon Letman in Lihue
Mark Zuckerberg adds 110 acres to controversial 1,500-acre Hawaii estate
• Mark Zuckerberg adds 110 acres to controversial 1,500-acre Hawaii estate—The
Guardian | Maya Yang
Aloha, It’s More Than Hello | Noelani Kamalu | TEDxBYU
• Aloha, It’s More Than Hello | Noelani Kamalu | TEDxBYU—YouTube | TEDx Talks
The Meaning behind the Spirit of Aloha
• The Meaning behind the Spirit of Aloha—YouTube | wholeworld
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