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The trouble started when King David Kalakaua died in San Francisco in 1891. His death meant that the throne went to his sister, Lydia Liliuokalani. The Hawaiian kingdom was ruled by a monarch, but governed by a constitution. That meant the king or queen was bound by the rule of law in the constitution. And at the time of Kalakaua's death, the constitution restricted many of the monarch's powers.
The new queen wanted to change that. She did not want her powers constricted by her appointed advisors -- most of whom were white businessmen connected to American interests and sugar companies and advisors she could not dismiss. In 1893, she proposed a new constitution that would restore a balance of power between her, her advisors, and the other branches of government. It also prevented Americans and British living in the kingdom who were not subjects of the throne from participating in local elections.
This constitution was viewed as a threat for the business class. It prompted them to plot a takeover of her government and the kingdom itself. A 13-man committee comprised of white men from Europe, the United States, and within the kingdom, formed the Committee of Safety. They were chaired by an American lawyer, Henry Cooper.
The committeemen felt Liliuokalani threatened their property, the dominant sugar industry, and their political power. Instead of opposing it through constitutional means, the committee worked secretly against the government by raising a militia of white men called the Honolulu Rifles and secretly corresponding with American diplomats.
Many on the committee shared the views of the Secretary of State and wanted the islands annexed as an American territory. When they reached out for help, the secretary sent a naval ship to land in Hawaii. When it arrived in Honolulu Harbor on Jan. 16, 1893, the stage was set.
American troops stepped ashore the next day. They came onto the palace grounds but did not enter. Queen Liliuokalani was held hostage in her palace. Under duress and fearing violence would break out in the streets, she relented. She announced she did it "to avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life" (A policeman trying to stop the arming of militia had already been shot and would die).
The Honolulu Rifles took over some government buildings and disarmed the kingdom's military forces. Then Cooper walked out of Aliiolani Hale to read a proclamation.
He announced the monarchy was no more and a provisional government was set up instead. Of course, the new government included the men who conspired to overthrow Liliuokalani and took part in the insurrection.
This was the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy -- an independent island nation governed by indigenous people. It was accomplished by treasonous subjects and ambitious outside agitators from the United States and Europe. It was done in the name of preserving public order, profits, and preserving private property.
It would take almost a century before it was recognized internationally and eventually by the United States government as a crime. One-hundred and thirty-years later, many of the sites of the overthrow are still standing.
Most people take pictures of the front of Aliiolani Hale, the majestic 19th century building that now houses the Hawai'i Supreme Court, on King Street. It makes sense. The front is dominated by a towering statue of King Kamehameha. He looks across the street at Iolani Palace, where soldiers occupied the grounds and where Hawaii's last queen was imprisoned. It later became the capitol building throughout the territorial years and the first decade of statehood. The current capitol building lies beyond that and from Kamehameha's view, you can't really see it -- maybe the top of the building, which is symbolic of a towering volcanic mountain.
This week the palace hosted events recognizing the violation of international law and disregard of state sovereignty. Speakers, musicians, and activists gathered to recognize the overthrow throughout the day.
The capitol was also buzzing. The State's legislative session began on Wednesday, the day after the anniversary of the overthrow. Legislators, their staff, and others were sitting down for informational briefings, meetings, and final preparations before the business of our state government was set to begin. A new governor and a slew of new legislators are getting ready to work for the challenges ahead.
But beyond the activity at the current state capitol and the commemorative events at the palace, the back steps of Aliiolani Hale were quiet. The back of the building is still quite handsome with its elegant Doric columns. A small set of steps lead up from the sidewalk to massive, heavy wooden doors. That is believed to be the place where Cooper stood when he read his proclamation declaring the end of the kingdom.
As we continue to move forward, the sites of our painful past remain.
* Ben Lowenthal is a trial and appellate lawyer, currently with the Office of the Public Defender, who grew up on Maui. His email is 808stateofaloha@gmail.com.