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Liliʻuokalani

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Liliʻuokalani was the final sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Lydia Kamakaeha
Lydia Kamakaeha

She was the only queen regnant, meaning she ruled in her own right. Her life spanned a period of massive political change for the Hawaiian Islands. She was born Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Kamakaʻeha on September 2, 1838. Her birth occurred in a large grass hut in Honolulu, Oʻahu. Her name was chosen to reflect an eye infection experienced by a regent named Elizabeth Kīnaʻu.

Royal Monogram of Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii No Crown
Royal Monogram of Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii No Crown

The name used words describing smarting, tearful, burning pain, and sore eyes.

Liliʻuokalani belonged to the aliʻi, the Hawaiian nobility class. She was part of the Keawe-a-Heulu line of descent. Her biological parents were Analea Keohokālole and Caesar Kapaʻakea. However, she was raised through the Hawaiian custom of hānai. This is an informal adoption practiced by both royals and commoners. She was given to Abner Pākī and Laura Kōnia at birth. She grew up alongside her hānai sister, Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

Haleakala - the C. R. Bishop Residence, oil on canvas painting by D. Howard Hitchcock, 1899, Bishop Museum
Haleakala - the C. R. Bishop Residence, oil on canvas painting by D. Howard Hitchcock, 1899, Bishop Museum

Her education was rigorous and prepared her for leadership. At age four, she entered the Royal School. This institution was for children whose claims to the throne were acknowledged. American missionaries Amos and Juliette Cooke taught her many subjects. She studied arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and physics. She also learned history, geography, and English composition.

Royal Coat of Arms of Hawaii (Kalakaua)
Royal Coat of Arms of Hawaii (Kalakaua)

In 1853, she finished third in her final class exams. Later, she received further instruction at what is now Punahou School.

Liliʻuokalani's path to the throne involved several key stages. Her brother, David Kalākaua, became king in 1874. After the death of her brother Leleiohoku II in 1877, she became the heir apparent. She represented her brother as an official envoy in the United Kingdom.

She ascended the throne on January 29, 1891. This happened only nine days after King Kalākaua died. She married John Owen Dominis, who later served as the Governor of Oʻahu. Though they had no biological children, they adopted three hānai children.

Her reign was marked by a struggle over political power. Liliʻuokalani attempted to draft a new constitution for the kingdom. She wanted to restore monarchical power and expand voting rights. This plan targeted the economically disenfranchised members of society. However, pro-American elements opposed these changes. On January 17, 1893, a group called the Committee of Safety led a coup. This group included seven foreign residents and six Hawaiian subjects of American descent.

USS Boston landing force, 1893 (PP-36-3-002)
USS Boston landing force, 1893 (PP-36-3-002)

The landing of US Marines under John L. Stevens bolstered the coup. This military presence made it impossible for the monarchy to protect itself.

The overthrow led to a period of intense political instability. A Provisional Government was established, which later became the Republic of Hawaiʻi. The ultimate goal of this group was the annexation of Hawaiʻi by the United States. While President Grover Cleveland temporarily blocked this, the movement continued. Following an unsuccessful uprising to restore the monarchy, Liliʻuokalani was placed under house arrest.

On January 24, 1895, she was forced to abdicate the throne. This happened under the threat of execution for her imprisoned supporters.

Liliʻuokalani remained a significant cultural figure throughout her life. She was a talented composer of many musical works. Her most famous composition is the song "Aloha ʻOe."

Aloha oe song 01
Aloha oe song 01

During her imprisonment, she wrote her autobiography, *Hawaiʻi's Story by Hawaiʻi's Queen*. She lived her final years as a private citizen at Washington Place. She passed away on November 11, 1917.

Her legacy is tied to the complex history of Hawaiian sovereignty and identity.

Liliʻuokalani Burial Vault
Liliʻuokalani Burial Vault
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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Lydia Kamakaeha.jpg
Lydia Kamakaeha.jpg
File:Haleakala - the C. R. Bishop Residence, oil on canvas painting by D. Howard Hitchcock, 1899, Bishop Museum.JPG
Haleakala - the C. R. Bishop Residence,...
File:John Owen Dominis (PP-71-2-023).jpg
John Owen Dominis (PP-71-2-023).jpg
File:Liliuokalani in London (PPWD-16-4.014).jpg
Liliuokalani in London (PPWD-16-4.014).jpg
File:Liliuokalani at Waipio, Oahu in 1891.jpg
Liliuokalani at Waipio, Oahu in 1891.jpg
File:USS Boston landing force, 1893 (PP-36-3-002).jpg
USS Boston landing force, 1893 (PP-36-3-002).jpg
File:Liliuokalani entering palace for trial of 1895 (PP-98-12-010).jpg
Liliuokalani entering palace for trial of...
File:Queen_Liliuokalani_Quilt,_Iolani_Palace.jpg
Queen_Liliuokalani_Quilt,_Iolani_Palace.jpg
File:Liliuokalani, photograph by Prince, of Washington (cropped).jpg
Liliuokalani, photograph by Prince, of...
File:Liliuokalani in 1917.jpg
Liliuokalani in 1917.jpg
File:Liliʻuokalani Burial Vault.jpg
Liliʻuokalani Burial Vault.jpg
File:Aloha oe song 01.png
Aloha oe song 01.png

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