Background

Polynesian travelers first landed in the Hawaiian Islands between 500-800 and settlements evolved into chiefdoms on each island. From 1782-1810, the chief of the island of Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha I united the archipelago of islands into a prosperous kingdom. In the 1820s, American missionaries arrived and established the first Hawaiian sugar plantations. By the 1850s, sugar was the dominant industry and export. The sugar industry established an elite of white, American-descended planters presiding over mostly Asian, non-Hawaiian, immigrant workers, who were often coerced or tricked to emigrate. As the planters’ wealth grew, so did their political influence and discontent with their perceived lack of governmental representation.

"I, Liliʻuokalani of Hawaii… do hereby protest against the ratification of a certain treaty… purporting to cede those Islands to the territory and dominion of the United States. I declare such a treaty to be an act of -wrong toward the native and part-native people of Hawaii, an invasion of the rights of the ruling chiefs, in violation of international rights both toward my people and toward friendly nations with whom they have made treaties, the perpetuation of the fraud whereby the constitutional government was overthrown, and, finally, an act of gross injustice to me."
~Queen Liliʻuokalani

"Ke Aloha O Ka Haku," composed by Liliʻuokalani while under house arrest post-overthrow, 1895

Translated lyrics:

"Your loving mercy

Is as high as Heaven

And your truth

So perfect

I live in sorrow

Imprisoned

You are my light

Your glory, my support

Behold not with malevolence

The sins of man

But forgive

And cleanse

And so, o Lord

Protect us beneath your wings

And let peace be our portion

Now and forever more"

Overthrow and Annexation