The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom: A Tragic Episode in Hawaiian History

The Hawaiian Kingdom was a sovereign nation that existed from the early 19th century until its overthrow in 1893. This period in Hawaiian history is a dark chapter that represents the loss of sovereignty and cultural identity for the Hawaiian people.

Establishment of the Kingdom

The Hawaiian Kingdom was established in 1810 when King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian islands under his rule. Over the next few decades, the Kingdom prospered, and the Hawaiian monarchy became recognized as a sovereign nation by the United States and other world powers.

The Overthrow of the Kingdom

In the late 19th century, the Hawaiian Kingdom was facing increasing pressure from foreign interests, particularly from the United States. American sugar plantation owners, who controlled a significant portion of the Hawaiian economy, began to push for greater influence in the Hawaiian government.
In January 1893, a group of American businessmen and plantation owners, with the support of the U.S. military, staged a coup against the Hawaiian monarchy. Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown and replaced by a provisional government led by Sanford B. Dole. The Queen was placed under house arrest, and the Hawaiian Kingdom was officially dissolved.

The Aftermath of the Overthrow

The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom was met with widespread protest and resistance from the Hawaiian people. The annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898 further cemented the loss of sovereignty for the Hawaiian people and their culture.
Today, the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom is considered a tragic episode in Hawaiian history and a dark moment in the relationship between the United States and the indigenous people of Hawaii. In 1993, the U.S. government issued a formal apology for its role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, acknowledging the historical injustices suffered by the Hawaiian people.

The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom represents a painful loss for the Hawaiian people and a dark moment in Hawaiian history. It serves as a reminder of the historical injustices suffered by native peoples at the hands of foreign interests and the importance of protecting sovereignty and cultural identity.