Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Lili‘uokalani Seeks Overthrow

“It is announced this morning that ex-Queen Lili‘uokalani of Hawai‘i, who has been visiting this country for several months, has no desire for the restoration of the monarchy in the islands. She realizes that such a thing at this late date is impossible. Could she have persuaded this Government to have personally take up her fight there might have been a chance for the restoration of the old order of things. But after the lapse of several years the overthrow of the Republic is hopeless.” (Sacramento Daily Record, April 13, 1897)

“The mission of ex-Queen Liliuokalani is at last definitely known. It is not to secure her restoration to the throne, but to urge McKinley to exert his influence in support of a scheme to overthrow the Dole regime and order a new election for President. She professes confidence that at such election she would be chosen. Her proposition has been laid before McKinley. … The President’s only reply to the communication so far has been a brief note acknowledging its receipt.” (San Francisco Call, April 13, 1897)

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

$25,000 Annuity

“‘The people of my country do not want to be annexed to the United States. Nor do the people of the United States wants annexation … There is no provision made in this treaty for me. In the Harrison treaty I was allowed $20,000 a year, but that treaty never went into effect. I have never received one dollar from the United States. … ‘No one looked after my interests in the preparation of this treaty. Yet my people, who form so large a part of the population of the islands, would want justice done me.’” (Lili‘uokalani noted in Los Angeles Herald, June 18, 1897)

“One day while dining with Paul Neuman I said: ‘I think it would be a good thing if the Queen could be pensioned by the Provisional Government; it would make matters harmonious, relieve business, and make matters much simpler.’” “In the meantime he (Blount) had been to the Queen, to Mr. Dole, and had done what he could to prevent the carrying out of the plan.” (Bowen; Morgan Report) “Thus Blount intervened to scuttle negotiations between the Queen and President Dole that were strongly on track toward a mutually agreeable settlement whereby the Queen would give up all claims to the throne in return for an annuity.” (MorganReport)

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Aztec

June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungary’s throne, and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated. A month later, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Within days, other countries got into the fray, including, Germany, Russia, France and United Kingdom; US President Woodrow Wilson announced the US would remain neutral. After attempts to broker peace, then sinking of the American cargo ship Housatonic, Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany. With German submarine warfare continuing unabated, the final straw came on April 1, 1917, when the armed merchant ship Aztec was sunk off the northwest coast of France.

The attack on the Aztec led to America’s intervention into World War I. “There are five Hawaiian boys thought to have been killed along with 16 Americans when the American steamer the Aztec was sunk.” “An incident of unusual interest took place just prior to the reception. Colonel ʻIaukea had told Lili‘uokalani of the sinking of the Aztec, resulting in the death of five Hawaiian sailors, and asked her if on that account she would like to raise the American flag over her home. … She replied, most emphatically: ‘Yes.’”

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Timeline Tuesday … 1910s

Today’s ‘Timeline Tuesday’ takes us through the 1910s – Duke Kahanamoku is Hawai‘i’s first Olympic Champion, Outdoor Circle formed, Hawai‘i National Park is formed and Lili‘uokalani dies. We look at what was happening in Hawai‘i during this time period and what else was happening around the rest of the world

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Timeline Tuesday … 1890s

Today’s ‘Timeline Tuesday’ takes us through the 1890s – Kapi‘olani Hospital is formed, Kalākaua dies, Overthrow, Annexation, Pali Road is completed and the first Beachboys organization is formed. We look at what was happening in Hawai‘i during this time period and what else was happening around the rest of the world.