Hawaiian Monarchy

Born in Honolulu to high chief Kapaakea and the chiefess Keohokalole, Queen Liliuokalani was the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Islands. She felt her mission was to preserve the islands for their native residents. In 1898, Hawaii was annexed to the United States and Queen Liliuokalani was forced to give up her throne.

Five years prior to the overthrow, in 1893, Queen Liliuokalani sought to empower herself and Hawaiians through a new constitution which she herself had drawn up and now desired to broadcast as the new law of the land. It was Queen Liliuokalani's right as a sovereign to issue a new constitution through a proclamation from the throne. This infuriated a local group of anti-monarchy activists lead my Sanford B. Dole and they immediately sought to overthrow the institution. Advocates for a Republic for Hawaii realized success when, in 1893 an American minister called for troops to take control of Iolani Palace and numerous other legislative buildings. The coming year was especially painful for the Queen and in 1894 she was deposed and the monarchy abrogated.

A provisional government was established which later became the Republic of Hawaii. In 1895, after the discovery of a cache of weapons found on the grounds of her home at Washington Place, the queen was put under house arrest and forced to remain in the Palace. She denied knowing of the existence of this supply and was reportedly unaware of restorationists efforts to restore the monarchy. . In 1896, she was released from the palace and returned to her home at Washington Place where she lived until her death in 1917. She was never recognized as royalty by the annexationists’ government or later the American government. The regal blood line of the Hawaiian Monarchy continues until this day and all members are recognized throughout the world, except in the United States as royalty.

Fact

The Iolani and Hulihe’e Palaces are the only Palaces in existence on the soil of the United State of America. The present royal family, all of whom are descendents of prior kings and queens of Hawaii, are recognized as regal throughout the world. But not in the United States of America.

Legend or Fancy

One evening in the late 1800’s a group of distinguished visitors from England were sitting in a tavern near the Iolani Palace in Honolulu. They were enjoying a delicious rum and pineapple juice concoction when one of the gentlemen accidentally dipped the tip of his neck tie into the glass. Upon noticing his faux pas the man exclaimed to the group, “Look what I’ve done to my tie”. Not wanting their friend to be alone in his embarrassment, the other men at the table all dipped their ties into the drinks. It was decided by the group that from now on, at least to them, the tropical libation would be know as the “My Tie”. The name caught on and evermore would be recognized as the most popular drink in Hawaii, the Mai Tai.