Queen Liliuokalani and Hawaii
American Imperialism Activity By: Lydia Roberson
Define
Queen Lydia Liliʻuokalani (September 2, 1838 – November 11, 1917), born Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha, was the last monarch and only queen regnant of the Kingdom of Hawaii.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.
Detail
- Cause (background)-She was born in Honolulu to high chief Kapaakea and the chiefess Keohokalole, the third of ten children. Her brother was King Kalakaua. At the Royal School, she became fluent in English and influenced by Congregational missionaries. She also became part of the royal circle attending Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma.Upon the death of her brother, King Kalakauam Liliuokalani, she ascended the throne of Hawaii in January 1891. One of her first acts was to recommend a new Hawaii constitution, as the "Bayonet Constitution" of 1887 limited the power of the monarch and political power of native Hawaiians. In 1890, the McKinley Tariff began to cause a recession in the islands by withdrew the safeguards ensuring a mainland market for Hawaiian sugar. American interests in Hawaii began to consider annexation for Hawaii to re-establish an economic competitive position for sugar. In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani sought to empower herself and Hawaiians through a new constitution which she herself had drawn up and now desired to promulgate as the new law of the land.
- Characteristic: The Queen was adopted at birth. This involved a tradition called "hanai," by which children were raised in other families in order to strengthen relationships between family groups.
- Significance: Queen Lili'uokalani began studying music at an early age and would go on to write over 160 poetic melodies and chants, including one of the four Hawaiian National Anthems. Through her music and lyrics she expressed her feelings about Hawaii and its people.She may have been forced to give up her throne more than a century ago, but Queen Lili‘uokalani retains a firm hold on the hearts of many Native Hawaiians — and has captured the imaginations of a growing number of authors and artists.
Display
The Queen as a child.
The Queen as an adult.
The Queen in her elderly years.
Statues
Leighs are put around statues in Hawaii, and they are made of fresh flowers to show honor to the people the statues are of.