Ali’i / Chiefs / Governance | Page 119

February 4, 2017 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kuini Liliha

Reportedly, Liliha was the daughter of Kalaniulumoku II (or Koakanu) and Loeau, who were themselves full blooded brother and sister (children of Kalaniulumoku I and his own mother the venerable kapu chiefess Kalanikuiokikilo.)

This makes Liliha a niaupio child, a chiefess of the highest possible princely rank in the system of Hawaiian chiefs. She was hanai (adopted) daughter of Ulumāheihei (Hoapili.) (Kekoolani)

Ulumāheihei’s father, High Chief Kameʻeiamoku, was one of the “royal twins” who helped Kamehameha I come to power – the twins are on the Islands’ coat of arms – Kameʻeiamoku is on the right (bearing a kahili,) his brother, Kamanawa is on the left, holding a spear.

Liliha was reared in the traditional cultural system of the day. As a young woman, Liliha witnessed Ka‘ahumanu’s successful assault on the ancient kapu system. She was the wife of Kahalaia, but was soon preempted by his uncle, Boki, the governor of O‘ahu.

Liliha was known as a woman who took her pleasures seriously. She apparently had several husbands in her life and was also quite fond of strong spirits. These characteristics made her a natural opponent of the Protestant missionaries and Ka‘ahumanu. (Kurkjian)

Boki was appointed governor of O‘ahu and confirmed in his post by Kamehameha II. Boki agreed to the breaking of the kapu in 1819 and accepted the Protestant missionaries arriving in 1820, although he had been baptized as a Catholic aboard the French vessel of Louis de Freycinet, along with Boki’s brother, Kalanimōku, the previous year.

Boki, Liliha, and Mataio Kekūanāo‘a were principal members of the entourage that accompanied Liholiho (King Kamehameha II) and Kamāmalu his Queen) on an 1824 diplomatic tour of the United Kingdom, visiting King George IV.

Liholiho and Kamāmalu contracted measles. George IV took great care of the king and sent his own physician to take charge of the case, but first Queen Kamāmalu died, July 8, 1824, and five days later Liholiho, died in London at the age of twenty-six. Their bodies were sent home on a British warship, Blonde. (Kamakau)

King George IV encouraged Boki and Liliha “to take good care of the missionaries for they were sent to teach the nation the word of God and to enlighten them”. (Damon) However, they had serious disagreements with the missionaries and Ka‘ahumanu, their strong supporter.

Kaʻahumanu pronounced certain laws banning things such as: murder, robbery, cheating, and stealing; adultery and prostitution and the manufacture of liquor.

Ka‘ahumanu and the council in May, 1827, charged Boki and Liliha with misconduct, intemperance, fornication and adultery, and had them fined. In return, Boki and Liliha objected to the laws and made no effort to enforce them. (Kelley)

At times the peace of the country was threatened by this division, as when Governor Boki of O‘ahu in 1829 seemed on the point of attempting to overthrow Ka‘ahumanu. (Kuykendall)

Boki incurred large debts and, in 1829, attempted to cover them by assembling a group of followers and set out for a newly discovered island with sandalwood in the New Hebrides.

Boki fitted out two ships, the Kamehameha and the Becket; before sailing Boki announced that Liliha was to be his successor as governor of O‘ahu. Unfortunately, Boki and two hundred and fifty of his men apparently died at sea.

Just prior to Boki’s sailing in search of sandalwood, the lands of Kapunahou and Kukuluaeʻo were transferred to Hiram Bingham for the purpose of establishing a school, later to be known as Oʻahu College (now, Punahou School.)

These lands had first been given to Kame‘eiamoku, a faithful chief serving under Kamehameha, following Kamehameha’s conquest of Oʻahu in 1795. At Kameʻeiamoku’s death in 1802, the land transferred to his son Hoapili, who resided there from 1804 to 1811. Hoapili passed the property to his daughter Liliha.

Sworn testimony before the Land Commission in 1849, and that body’s ultimate decision, noted that the “land was given by Governor Boki about the year 1829 to Hiram Bingham for the use of the Sandwich Islands Mission.”

The decision was made over the objection from Liliha; however, Hoapili confirmed the gift. It was considered to be a gift from Kaʻahumanu, Kuhina Nui or Queen Regent at that time.

Due to Liliha’s excesses, Kaʻahumanu had taken the king away from Liliha because she was afraid of her influence over him because of her indulging in drinking and other worldly pleasures.

Rumors of war were spread; they plotted to disembowel Kaʻahumanu and cut off her head. Liliha was implicated in the threats. In October, 1830, there was a meeting of the council of chiefs.

The main things decided by the council included: removal of Liliha from the governorship of O‘ahu; all land and other property belonging to the king left by Boki in Liliha’s care to be taken away from her and the removal of the king from Liliha’s care.

“At a public meeting on the first of April, 1831, the young king declared the control of Oahu to be in the hands of Kaahumanu. She appointed her brother, J. Adams (Kuakini,) to the governorship. He declared his purpose to restrain crimes and immoralities …”

“… such as had been specified in the edict of 1829, but had not been well enforced, including Sabbath-breaking, gambling, and the traffic in ardent spirits.” (Bingham)

Following the death of Ka‘ahumanu, Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) was considering the appointment of Liliha to replace Ka‘ahumanu as Kuhina Nui (instead of Kīna‘u.)

“A faction representing the worst element in the islands endeavored to persuade him to depose Kinau and proclaim Liliha Premier in her stead. The King, however, although apparently alienated and in sympathy with the reactionary spirit that threatened to carry everything before it, was not insensible to the steadfast virtues of Kinau.” (Krout)

At a gathering of chiefs and others, the king asked Hoapili, “Why did you come here?” Hoapili replied, “We came because we had heard rumors that you were going to appoint Liliha premier of the kingdom.”

“You must first kill me before making my daughter premier lest I be blamed as her parent. Here (Kīna‘u) is the daughter of the house of Kamehameha. Let her serve you. My daughter is but a tenant here. … Do me this favor to place the duties of the kingdom upon her who is here ready to serve you.” (Kamakau)

“The chiefs were present; the revocation was upon his (the King’s) lips, when he unexpectedly turned to Kīna‘u and solemnly confirmed her in office. The effect was electric; all perceived the days of misrule were numbered. When expostulated with for not carrying out his intention, he gave the significant reply: ‘Very strong is the Kingdom of God.’”

“Kīna‘u succeeded Ka‘ahumanu as Premier, with the title of Kaahumanu II. Her character also had been transformed by her conversion to Christianity, being mild and just where she had been tyrannical and passionate.”

“She did her utmost to restrain the King in his tendency to extravagance, and endeavored to shield him from the temptations which beset him through bad associates.” (Krout)

Liliha died on August 24, 1839 in Honolulu and was buried on the sacred island called Moku‘ula on Maui. Later she was reburied in the Waiola Church cemetery. Although treated as a rebel by Kaʻahumanu, she was generally loved by the people. A street is named for her in Honolulu.

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January 31, 2017 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Timeline Tuesday … 1850s

Today’s ‘Timeline Tuesday’ takes us through the 1850s Kuleana Act, Smallpox Epidemic, death of Kamehameha III and growth in rice cultivation. We look at what was happening in Hawai‘i during this time period and what else was happening around the rest of the world.

A Comparative Timeline illustrates the events with images and short phrases. This helps us to get a better context on what was happening in Hawai‘i versus the rest of the world. I prepared these a few years ago for a planning project. (Ultimately, they never got used for the project, but I thought they might be on interest to others.)

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January 24, 2017 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Abdication

On the afternoon of January 24, 1895, the members of the Cabinet were informed that the ex-Queen Lili‘uokalani had an official document which it was desired should be presented to the Executive. (Alexander)

Lili‘uokalani then read and signed a letter addressed to The Honorable Sanford Ballard Dole, President of the Republic of Hawai‘i, which stated, in part:

“After full and free consultation with my personal friends and with my legal advisors, both before and since my detention by military order in. the Executive building, and acting in conformity with their advice, and also upon my own free volition, and in pursuance of my unalterable belief and understanding of my duty to the people of Hawai‘i …”

“… and to their highest and best interests, and also for the sake of those misguided Hawaiians and others who have recently engaged in rebellion against the Republic, and in an attempt to restore me to the position of queen, which I held prior to the 17th day of January, AD 1893 …”

“… and without any claim that shall become entitled, by reason of anything that I may now say or do, to any other or different treatment or consideration at the hands of the Government than I otherwise could and might legally receive …”

“… I now desire to express and make known, and do hereby express and make known, to yourself, as the only lawful and recognized head of the Government, and to all the people of the Hawaiian Islands …”

“… whether or not they have yet become citizens of the Republic, or are or have been adherents of the late monarchy, and also to all diplomatic and other foreign representatives in the Hawaiian Islands, to all of whom I respectfully request you to cause this statement and action of mine to be made known as soon as may be, as follows, namely:”

“First. In order to avoid any possibility of doubt or misunderstanding, although I do not think that any doubt or misunderstanding is either proper or possible, I hereby do fully and unequivocally admit and declare that the Government of the Republic of Hawai‘i is the only lawful Government of the Hawaiian Islands …”

“… and that the late Hawaiian monarchy is finally and forever ended, and no longer of any legal or actual validity, force or effect whatsoever …”

“… and I do hereby forever absolve all persons whomsoever, whether in the Hawaiian Islands or elsewhere, from all and every manner of allegiance, or official obligation or duty, to me and my heirs and successors forever …”

“… and I hereby declare to all such persons in the Hawaiian Islands that I consider them as bound in duty and honor henceforth to support and sustain the Government of the Republic of Hawaii.”

“Second. For myself, my heirs and successors, I do hereby and without any mental reservation or modification, and fully, finally, unequivocally, irrevocably, and forever abdicate, renounce and release unto the Government of the Republic of Hawai‘i and the legitimate successors forever all claims or pretensions whatsoever to the late throne of Hawai‘i …”

“Third. I do hereby respectfully implore for such misguided Hawaiians and others as have been concerned in the late rebellion against the Republic of Hawai‘i, such degree of executive clemency as the Government may deem to be consistent with its duty to the community, and such as a due regard for its violated laws may permit.”

“Fourth. It is my sincere desire henceforth to live in absolute privacy and retirement from all publicity, or even appearance of being concerned in the public affairs of the Hawaiian islands, further than to express, as I now do and shall always continue to do, my most sincere hope for the welfare and prosperity of its people, under and subject to the Government of the Republic of Hawaii.”

“Fifth. I hereby offer and present my duly certified oath of allegiance to the Republic of Hawai‘i.”

“Sixth. I have caused the foregoing statement to be prepared and drawn, and have signed the same without having received the slightest suggestion from the President of Hawai‘i, or from any member of the Government of Hawai‘i, concerning the same or any part thereof, or concerning any action or course of my own in the premises. …”

“On the 24th day of January, AD 1895, the foregoing was in our presence read over and considered carefully and deliberately by Liliuokalani Dominis, and she, the said Liliuokalani Dominis, thereupon in our presence declared that the same was a correct, exact and full statement of her wishes and acts in the premise …”

“… which statement she declared to us that she desired to sign and acknowledge in our presence as her own free act and deed, and she thereupon signed the same in our presence, and declared the same to be her free act and deed …”

“… in witness whereof we have at the request of the said Liliuokalani Dominis, and in her presence, hereunto subscribed our names is attesting witnesses, at the Executive building, in Honolulu on the Island of Oahu, this 24th day of January, A. D. 1893. (Signed), Wm G Irwin, HA Widemann, Samuel Parker J. Kalua Kahookano, CB Wilson, Paul Neumann”

Three years later (1898,) Lili‘uokalani, in her book ‘Hawai‘i’s Story by Hawai‘i’s Queen,’ stated, “The idea of abdicating never originated with me. I knew nothing at all about such a transaction until they sent to me, by the bands of Mr. Wilson, the insulting proposition written in abject terms.”

“For myself, I would have chosen death rather than to have signed it; but it was represented to me that by my signing this paper all the persons who had been arrested, all my people now in trouble by reason of their love and loyalty towards me, would be immediately released.”

“Think of my position, sick, a lone woman in prison, scarcely knowing who was my friend, or who listened to my words only to betray me, without legal advice or friendly counsel, and the stream of blood ready to flow unless it was stayed by my pen.”

“My persecutors have stated, and at that time compelled me to state, that this paper was signed and acknowledged by me after consultation with my friends whose names appear at the foot of it as witnesses.”

“Not the least opportunity was given to me to confer with anyone; but for the purpose of making it appear to the outside world that I was under the guidance of others, friends who had known me well in better days were brought into the place of my imprisonment, and stood around to see a signature affixed by me.”

Contrary to these last statements, there is consistent information that Lili‘uokalani abdication statement was correct and, through her advisors, Wilson, Widemann and Parker, Alfred Stedman Hartwell prepared the abdication statement for her and she signed it “upon (her) own free volition”.

Several reports, including Lili‘uokalani’s own statements 2-weeks following the abdication and signing of the loyalty oath, show the latter to be true. On February 21, 1895, The Independent noted, “Already before her arrest, she had been planning to throw herself on the mercy of the Executive, and make every possible submission.”

“The President and his associates did not encourage her in doing so; in fact, they declined to listen at all to advances which she sought to make to them.”

“She was permitted, however, to consult with Widemann, Wilson, Newmann, Parker and others of her friends, by whose advice she employed Judge AS Hartwell to draw up in the strongest and completest possible form her renunciation of the monarchy and acceptance of the Republic.”

“This she formally executed on the morning of the 24th, in the presence of several witnesses, and took oath of allegiance to the Republic. The documents were then sent to the President’s room across the hall, with the request to communicate them to the foreign diplomatic representatives and to the public.” (The Independent, February 21, 1895)

Local and mainland papers consistently said the same thing, “Between 10:35 and 11:20 on Thursday morning, in the Executive Building, there took place a ceremony that will form an interesting page in Hawaiian history.”

“It was neither more or less than the formal abdication and renunciation, absolutely and forever, of all claims to the throne of Hawai‘i, on behalf of herself, her heirs and successors, of Liliuokalani Dominis, late Queen of the Hawaiian Islands.”

“There were present, besides the ex Queen, William G Irwin, HA Widemann, Samuel Parker, JK Kahookano, Chas B Wilson, Mrs Wilson, Paul Neumann, AS Hartwell and WL Stanley.”

“Mrs Dominis offered her abdication in the form of a letter to President Dole …. This action was taken on the advice of Mr Wilson, who had been acknowledged by the Government as the ex Queen’s business representative, as well as that of Mr Neumann and Mr Hartwell, her legal advisers.”

“Mr Hartwell had prepared the document and Mr Neumann read it aloud before all present. Then her ex majesty also read it aloud and then signed both the abdication and the oath of allegiance.” (Evening Bulletin, January 25, 1895)

“The ex-Queen has relinquished all her rights to the throne of Hawai‘i. Following her arrest the ex-Queen was allowed frequent interviews with Charles B Wilson, ex-Marshal under the monarchy, HA Widemann, who recently visited the United States and Europe on her behalf … and her attorney, Paul Neumann, but no one connected with the Government saw her.”

“The result of these frequent interviews became apparent last Thursday, when she requested that some person connected with the Government be sent to her, as she had an important official communication to make. …”

“Mrs. Dominis in a few words stated that she desired to surrender all her claims to the throne, and offered her formal abdication to President Dole in the shape of a document drawn up by Judge AS Hartwell, who was consulted by Mr. Wilson, Mr. Parker and Mr. Neumann about the matter and acted as advising counsel for them, but not strictly as attorney for Liliuokalani.” (San Francisco Call, February 7, 1895)

When Lili‘uokalani went to trial two weeks after signing the abdication document and loyalty oath (February 8, 1895,) she told the tribunal prosecuting her involvement in the counter revolution, “Before the 24th of January, 1895, the day upon which I formally abdicated, and called upon my people to recognize the Republic of Hawai‘i as the only lawful government of these Islands, and to support that government …”

“I was not intimidated into abdicating, but followed the counsel of able and generous friends and well-wishers, who advised me that such an act would restore peace and good-will among my people, vitalize the progress and prosperity of the Islands …”

“… and induce the actual government to deal leniently, mercifully, charitably, and impassionately with those who resorted to arms for the purpose of displacing a government in the formation of which they had no voice or control, and which they themselves had seen established by force of arms.”

“I acted of my own free will, and wish the world to know that I have asked no immunity or favor myself, nor plead my abdication as a petition for mercy.”

“My actions were dictated by the sole aim of doing good to my beloved country, and of alleviating the positions and pains of those who unhappily and unwisely resorted to arms to regain an independence which they thought had been unjustly wrested from them.”

Hartwell confirms that he secretly wrote the abdication statement and that Lili‘uokalani and her advisors had participated in the drafting and editing of it, noting, …

“While the queen was under arrest by the Provisional Government, Paul Neumann, Sam Parker, her last foreign minister, and Charles Wilson, the ex-marshal, came to my office with a request, which they said was by her authority, that I draw her abdication.”

“I did this and had three separate drafts made with changes to meet suggestions they brought to me from her. No one else but Stanley, my confidential clerk, knew of this until she formally acknowledged the instrument before a notary, in the presence of Neumann, Parker, Irwin, Widemann, Iaukea and myself.”

“I took a lot of trouble in the matter, and gratuitously, and yet the queen in her Hawai‘i book says that she was deceived and that I was acting as the attorney for the other side.”

Hartwell suspects the misinformation about the abdication statement in Lili‘uokalani’s Book was made by the American journalist who helped her with her book, noting, “I think, however, that this was said for her by (Julius) Palmer, who got up her book, for she knew better.” (Hartwell; HHS)

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January 22, 2017 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Makaʻāinana

In the generations that followed initial settlement, the Hawaiians developed a sophisticated system of land use and resource management. In the early 1500s, the island (moku-puni) was divided into districts or moku-o-loko.

The large moku-o-loko were further divided into political regions and manageable units of land. Ahupua‘a, another division of land, were usually marked by altars with images or representations of a pig placed upon them, thus the name ahu-pua‘a or pig altar.

The ahupua‘a were also divided into smaller manageable parcels of land—such as the ‘ili, kō‘ele, mahina ‘ai, māla, and kīhāpa – makaʻāinana lived on kuleana.

In these smaller land parcels the makaʻāinana cultivated crops necessary to sustain their families, and supplied the needs of the chiefly communities they were associated with. (Maly)

“The makaʻāinana were the planters and fishers who lived on (ma) the (ka) lands (‘āina;) the final na is a plural substantive.” (Handy) Or, they may be viewed as maka (eye) ‘āina (land) – ‘the eyes of the land.’ Pukui notes the name literally translates to ‘people that attend the land.’

“They were the commoners who were a class distinct and apart from the aliʻi, or class of chiefs, the temple kahuna or priests, koa or warriors, and konohiki or overseers.” (Handy) The rulers were set apart from the general populace, the makaʻāinana, by an elaborate, strictly enforced series of kapu or restrictions. (Mitchell)

“(T)he reason for this division being that men in the pursuit of their own gratification and pleasure wandered off in one direction and another until they were lost sight of and forgotten.” The makaʻāinana are said to have fallen to their common status because they lost their genealogies. (Malo)

The makaʻāinana made up the largest segment of the population. In addition to their work as the planters and the fishermen they were the craftsmen and the soldiers. They were the major source of manpower. (Mitchell)

The ahupua‘a supplied food and materials to the makaʻāinana who tended the land, as well as to the konohiki (overseers,) who administered the ahupua‘a and the aliʻi nui (chief,) who was responsible for several ahupua‘a.

This responsibility to provide for himself and the aliʻi on a long-term basis generally compelled the konohiki toward sustainable management of both human and natural resources. (Garovoy)

The makaʻāinana lived on the lands assigned to them by the chiefs as long as they worked acceptably and paid adequate taxes.
They could be removed from their lands by the konohiki or any chief with authority in the ahupuaʻa. If they were unhappy under a chief they were free to move to another ahupuaʻa. (Mitchell)

As long as sufficient tribute was offered and kapu (restrictions) were observed, the makaʻāinana who lived in a given ahupua‘a had access to most of the resources from mountain slopes to the ocean.

These access rights were almost uniformly tied to residency on a particular land, and earned as a result of taking responsibility for stewardship of the natural environment and supplying the needs of ones’ ali‘i. (Maly)

The makaʻāinana were allotted a plot of ground by their chief. Here they planted, irrigated, nurtured and harvested taro, sweet potatoes and other crops. They raised pigs, dogs and chickens to supplement their diet, and they had the right to fish in the sea or in protected fish ponds.

The makaʻāinana worked for the chief 6 days each month, fought in the chief’s wars, and paid taxes in the form of goods produced. Order and discipline were maintained through a strict code of laws, known as the kapu system. (UH-CLEAR)

The material necessities and the luxuries of the people of old Hawai’i were produced by these skilled workers. The culture materials which we admire in the museums and private collections today as the unique arts and crafts of Hawai’i are from the hands and minds of these “commoners who were not common.” (Mitchell)

Following the Great Māhele, by 1855, the lands in Hawaii had been distributed: the Konohiki were granted 1.5 million acres (Konohiki Lands;) King Kamehameha was granted approximately 1 million acres (Crown Lands;) and the Hawaiian government was granted 1.5 million acres (Government Lands.)

Deeds executed during the Māhele conveying land contained the phrase “ua koe ke kuleana o na kānaka,” or “reserving the rights of all native tenants,” in continuation of the reserved tenancies which characterized the traditional Hawaiian land tenure system.

The Kuleana Act of 1850 authorized the Land Commission to award fee simple titles to all native tenants who lived and worked on parcels of Crown, Government, or Konohiki Lands. Most makaʻāinana never claimed their kuleana.

Of the 29,221 adult males in Hawaii in 1850 eligible to make land claims, only 8,205 makaʻāinana actually received kuleana awards. Their awards account for a combined 28,600 acres of kuleana lands—less than one percent of the Kingdom’s lands. (Garovoy)

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January 18, 2017 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Military Strength

In 1866, King Kamehameha V looked to have a separate barracks building for the Royal Guard (prior to that time, they were quartered in Fort Kekūanāoʻa (Fort Honolulu, which used to be at the bottom of ‘Fort” Street.))

Prior to becoming a US territory, Hawaiʻi’s modern army consisted of a royal household guard and militia units. By the 1860s, the Hawaiian military had been reduced to the Royal Guard, a unit assigned to guard the sovereign.

They were also known as the Household Guard, Household Troops, Queen’s Guard, King’s Own and Queen’s Own – they guarded the king and queen and the treasury and participated in state occasions.

On March 4, 1866, Heuck submitted a drawing and verbal description of the proposed Barracks to Governor Dominis – a ‘romantic betowered building’ of coral rock in the Victorian military style. (HHF, Peterson)

In 1870, Heuck was contracted to design and build the barracks for the Royal Guard. Halekoa was designed to berth between 86 to 125 soldiers depending on whether double or triple-tier bunks were used. In practice, the size of the Royal Guard did not exceed 80 men at any time in the 1870s, 80s or 90s. (HHF)

“During the reign of Lunalilo a mutiny occurred among the Household Guard …. The men mutinied over the kind of poi being issued to them as rations and defied the authority of the king to make them obey orders until new poi was given them.” (The Independent, March 13, 1902)

“Two companies of volunteers, the Honolulu Rifles and the Hawaiian Calvary, some forty men in all, were called out but were given nothing to do beyond serving as a rather ineffectual guard for parts of two days.” (Kuykendall)

After further negotiation, the mutineers obeyed the king’s order. Lunalilo then issued a decree disbanding the Household Troops and the kingdom was thus left without any regular organized military force.Public Safcommittee

On February 12, 1874, nine days after the death of King Lunalilo, an election was held between the repeat candidate David Kalākaua and Queen Emma, widow of King Kamehameha IV.

The election was held by the members of the legislature, not the public. The election was held in a special session of the Legislature at the old Courthouse on Queen Street (it was almost the last official action to take place in the courthouse.) When the vote was tallied, Kalākaua won by a count of 39 – 6.

Emma’s supporters (referred to as the “Queenites,” “Emmaites” or the “Queen Emma party”) were unhappy with the decision – an angry mob of about 100 of the Queen’s followers gathered.

No outbreak occurred … until the Committee of five representatives, which had been appointed to notify the King of his election, attempted to leave the building and enter a carriage waiting to convey them to the Palace. A riot ensued and many of the legislators were attacked (1 died.)

During the election riot of 1874, “No dependence could be placed on the police nor on the Hawaiian Guards; these had proved unfaithful to their duties to preserve order, and had in some cases joined the partisans of Queen Emma in their riotous actions.” (Lili‘uokalani)

“The only alternative, in this emergency, was to seek aid from the war vessels in port. About half-past 4 pm, a written request was sent by Charles R Bishop (the Minister of Foreign Affairs,) on behalf of the Government, to the American Minister Resident, for a detachment to be landed from the US ships Tuscarora and Portsmouth, lying in the harbor. And a similar request was transmitted to the British Consul General.” (Hawaiian Gazette – March 4, 1874)

The request stated, “Sir: A riotous mob having unexpectedly made a violent attack upon the Court House and the Members of the Legislature which we have not the force at hand to resist, I have to request that you will cause to be furnished at the earliest moment possible aid from the US ships “Tuscarora” and “Portsmouth” to the Police, in quelling the riot and temporarily protecting life and property. Your obedient servant, Chas. R. Bishop” (Hawaiian Gazette – March 4, 1874)

A force of 150 American marines and sailors under Lieutenant Commander Theodore F. Jewell were put ashore along with another seventy to eighty Britons under a Captain Bay from the sloop HMS Tenedos.

“Commander Belknap and Commander Skerrett of the United States forces took possession of the square on which the court-house is built; and on seeing this, the mob melted silently and entirely away. The armed marines subsequently, at the request of the Hawaiian authorities, guarded the treasury, arsenal, jail, and station-house.”

“The British marines were marched to the residence of Queen Emma, and, after dispersing the rioters assembled there, they occupied the barracks and guarded the palace itself.” (Liliʻuokalani)

Then, the newly-elected king, Kalākaua, restored the army, and named it the Household Guard. (It was reported Kalākaua sympathized and sided with the mutineers and advised and instigated them.)

In 1893, the Kingdom’s force strength was 496 (224 at the Police station and 272 at the barracks.) “Queen Lili‘uokalani attempted on Saturday, Jan 14 (1893,) to promulgate a new Constitution, depriving foreigners of the right of franchise and abrogating the existing House of Nobles, at the same time giving her the power of appointing a new House.”

“This was resisted by the foreign element of the community, which at once appointed a committee of safety of thirteen members, which called a mass meeting of their classes, at which 1,200 or 1,500 were present.”

“That meeting unanimously adopted resolutions condemning the action of the Queen and authorizing the committee to take into consideration whatever was necessary for the public safety.” (New York Times, January 28, 1893)

The Committee of Safety, formally the Citizen’s Committee of Public Safety, was a 13-member group also known as the Annexation Club; they started in 1887 as the Hawaiian League.

The Committee of Safety was made up of 6-Hawaiian citizens (3-by birth and 3 naturalized (1-former American, 1-former German & 1-former Tasmanian;)) 5-Americans, 1-Scotsman and 1-German.

Most were not American, and, BTW, none were missionaries and only 3 had missionary family ties – the Missionary Period ended in 1863, a generation before the overthrow.

“During our meetings from the 14th to the 17th we had been looking up men, arms, and ammunition, and in every meeting had reports. We had figured up about 200 of the old Honolulu Rifles besides from 400 to 600 citizens that would shoulder a gun if it became necessary. We had to make estimates, as we could not expect to succeed without backing. We counted on those men as ready in squads around town to be at the building at 3 o’clock.” (McChesney, Morgan Report)

On January 16, 1893, the Committee of Safety wrote a letter to John L Stevens, American Minister, that stated: “We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Honolulu, respectfully represent that, in view of recent public events in this Kingdom, culminating in the revolutionary acts of Queen Liliʻuokalani on Saturday last, the public safety is menaced and lives and property are in peril, and we appeal to you and the United States forces at your command for assistance.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 17, 1893)

“(A) small force of marines and sailors was landed from the United States ship Boston, as a precautionary step for the protection of American life and property, and as a safeguard against night incendiarism stimulated by the hope of plunder, greatly feared by many of the best citizens.” (Stevens, The North American Review, December 1893)

“About 5 o’clock in the afternoon (January 16, 1893,) the USS Boston landed (162) men. Each man had two belts of cartridges around his waist and was armed with a rifle. The men marched up to the office of the Consul-General of the United States where a halt was made.”

“The Marines were detached and sent to the American Legation on Nuʻuanu Avenue, while the sailors marched out along Merchant Street with two gatling guns and made a halt at Mr JA Hopper’s residence. About sundown they moved to the grounds of Mr JB Atherton’s and after a stay of several hours returned to the Arion Hall, where they camped overnight.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 17, 1893)

“If the Queen, or the people, or both acting in conjunction, had opposed the landing of the troops from the Boston with armed resistance, their invasion would have been an act of war. But when their landing was not opposed by any objection, protest, or resistance the state of war did not supervene, and there was no irregularity or want of authority to place the troops on shore.” (Morgan Report)

The Honolulu Rifles, a volunteer group of men who supported the Committee of Safety, assembled in opposition to the loyalist guard stationed across King Street at the Palace. With horse blankets and boxes of hard tack, the Honolulu Rifles camped in the halls of Ali‘iolani Hale. (Judiciary History Center)

Following the reading of the Proclamation establishing the Provisional Government, “dozens and scores of armed men poured in till the buildings and premises were filled to overflowing. I believe that before 5 pm, 1,000 to 1,500 men were there, not all armed by any means, but asking for arms to support the Provisional Government. Several hundred were armed and all were determined to hold the (armory) at any cost.” (Tenney, Morgan Report)

“At the time the Provisional Government took possession of the Government buildings, no troops or officers of the United States were present or took any part whatever in the proceedings.” (John Foster, State Department, February 15, 1893, Blount Report)

Kuykendall put the Hawaiian army at 272; this is consistent with the Blount report that noted an affidavit by Nowlein, commander of the palace troops that put its strength at 272 (with an additional local police force of 224.)

“A part of the Queen’s forces, numbering 224, were located at the station house, about one-third of a mile from the Government building. The Queen, with a body of 50 troops, was located at the palace, north of the Government building about 400 yards. A little northeast of the palace and 200 yards from it, at the barracks, was another body of 272 troops. These forces had 14 pieces of artillery, 386 rifles, and 16 revolvers.” (Blount Report)

The present military force of the Provisional Government is “between 1,200 and 1,500,” well armed and equipped with modern arms and ammunition. (Oleson, Morgan Report)

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