Queen Lili’uokalani 1838-1917
She was the last monarch of the Hawaiian Islands
Lydia Paki Kamekaha Lili’uokalani took the throne of the Hawaiian Islands in 1893, after her brother died. Under pressure from foreign planters, he had written a constitution limiting his power and the power of all native Hawaiians. The Queen moved to reclaim some of that power by issuing a new constitution. But planters like Sanford Dole wanted the islands annexed by the United States, to ensure their access to American sugar markets. The Marines landed in 1893, took over government buildings and placed Queen Lili’uokalani under house arrest.
The monarchy was not restored. Sanford Dole became the first president of the new Republic of Hawaii in 1894. Lili’uokalani formally abdicated in 1895 in return for the release of jailed supporters.
