Born: 1838 (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Died: 1917 (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Biography:
Liliʻuokalani (Hawaiian pronunciation: [liˌliʔuokəˈlɐni]; Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Kamakaʻeha; September 2, 1838 – November 11, 1917) was the only queen regnant and the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. She ruled from January 29, 1891, until the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom on January 17, 1893. Liliʻuokalani was not only a monarch but also a prolific composer, known for her composition Aloha ʻOe, and the author of her autobiography Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen.
Born on September 2, 1838, in Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu, Liliʻuokalani was hānai (informally adopted) at birth by Abner Pākī and Laura Kōnia and raised alongside their daughter Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Although her natural parents were Analea Keohokālole and Caesar Kapaʻakea, Liliʻuokalani was brought up with the belief that Pākī and Kōnia were her parents. At the Royal School, she received a Christian education, which solidified her faith and had a profound influence on her later life.
Liliʻuokalani was baptized as a Christian and educated at the Royal School, where she acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to assume leadership. King Kamehameha III proclaimed her and her siblings eligible for the throne, giving her a legitimate claim to the Hawaiian monarchy. She married American-born John Owen Dominis, who later became the Governor of Oʻahu, but the couple had no biological children. Despite this, they adopted several children and provided them with a loving and nurturing home.
After her brother David Kalākaua ascended to the throne in 1874, Liliʻuokalani and her siblings were bestowed with Western-style titles of Prince and Princess. In 1877, following the untimely death of her younger brother Leleiohoku II, she became the proclaimed heir apparent to the throne. Liliʻuokalani represented her brother during the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria as an official envoy to the United Kingdom, further solidifying her international presence.
The tragic death of her brother on January 20, 1891, made Liliʻuokalani the first queen regnant of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Eager to restore the power of the monarchy and uplift the economically disenfranchised, she sought to draft a new constitution that would address these issues and alleviate the social and political tensions that plagued the kingdom.
However, her attempts to abrogate the Bayonet Constitution faced strong opposition from pro-American elements in Hawaiʻi. Threatened by her efforts, these forces orchestrated the overthrow of the monarchy on January 17, 1893. The coup d’état was bolstered by the landing of US Marines under John L. Stevens, the US Minister to Hawaiʻi, who aimed to protect American interests. As a result, the monarchy was left defenseless, and the Republic of Hawaiʻi was established, with the ultimate goal of annexation to the United States.
Although temporarily blocked by President Grover Cleveland, the annexation of Hawaiʻi was eventually realized amidst the outbreak of the Spanish–American War. Liliʻuokalani’s attempts to restore the monarchy and resist annexation ultimately proved unsuccessful. In January 1895, she was forced to abdicate the Hawaiian throne, officially marking the end of the deposed monarchy.
Throughout her life, Liliʻuokalani displayed resilience, determination, and a deep love for her people. Despite the hardships she endured, she continued to fight for the rights and sovereignty of the Hawaiian people. Her unwavering spirit was evident in her participation in unsuccessful uprisings to restore the monarchy and oppose annexation.
Living out her later years as a private citizen, Liliʻuokalani resided at Washington Place, her residence in Honolulu. On November 11, 1917, she passed away, leaving behind a legacy as the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Her contributions as a composer, writer, and advocate for her people continue to inspire and influence Hawaiian culture and history.