Listen to audio story here:
There's usually a little shade here, so grab a seat, or feel free to walk over to the grove of banyan trees you'll see up ahead. Now get comfy, as I tell you the gripping end of this tour... and of the Hawaiian monarchy. As you can see from the other stories mentioned, discontent continued to grow among the mostly American businessmen aided by missionaries who wanted to end the monarchy.
Pressure built until Kalakaua was forced by gunpoint to sign a document stripping him of his powers and withholding voting rights from most native Hawaiians. Within a few years, Kalakaua died, and his sister Queen Liliuokalani ascended to the throne. She was beloved by the native people, and she made it clear she didn't want any foreign interference in Hawai'i's government.
She was quick to try and throw out this trumped up constitution, but it was too late. In 1893, 1500 armed men stormed the Iolani Palace and forced the Queen at gunpoint to cede her power. What could she do? In order to avoid the loss of life, the Queen reluctantly relented her power, and ordered her supporters not to retaliate.
Her hope was that in time, reasonable US officials would help overturn this illegal act of its citizens and restore the Hawaiian monarchy. However, that help never came.
Almost two years later, the Queen's supporters made an attempt to take the kingdom back by force. But the plan was discovered. Ironically, she was tried before a military tribunal in her own throne room in the second story of this building. Liliuokalani was convicted, fined, and sentenced to five years in prison at hard labor.
It was later reduced to house arrest in the palace for nearly eight months. It was here, in quiet solitude, That she penned the well known Hawaiian songs that are still sung today. Many of them laced with the heartache she felt for Hawaii.
Some three years later, U. S. President McKinley signed a resolution annexing Hawaii to the US. Officially terminating the Hawaiian Kingdom. From King Kamehameha to Queen Lili'uokalani, the Hawaiian monarchy lasted just shy of a hundred years. Eventually, in 1959, all Hawaii citizens would vote to become the 50th state in the United States of America.
The Hawaiian people have been through a lot, to say the least. But today, despite the overthrow, Political and religious changes, the Hawaiian culture still lives on even outside the walls of these iconic buildings, refusing to be defined by their past, but rather Their bright and beautiful future
if you like, you can take a paid tour of the palace. There are guided or self guided tours available as well. And both allow you to go inside and learn more about the palace and the overthrow. Check it out, or make the time if you can.
Interested? Hear more like this on our Historic Downown Honolulu Walking Tour!