Queen Liliʻuokalani

Queen Liliʻuokalani, born Lydia Liliʻu Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamakaʻeha on September 2, 1838, in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, was the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Her full birth name, reflecting her noble lineage, was later shortened to Liliʻuokalani upon her proclamation as heir apparent. She was the daughter of High Chief Caesar Kapaʻakea and High Chiefess Analea Keohokālole, who served as an advisor to King Kamehameha III. In accordance with Hawaiian custom, she was hānai (informally adopted) at birth by Abner Pākī and Laura Kōnia, growing up as the foster sister to Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a prominent figure in Hawaiian history and founder of the Kamehameha Schools.

Liliʻuokalani received a modern education, attending the Royal School where she learned English and was exposed to Western customs. Her upbringing prepared her for a life of leadership within the Hawaiian royal court. In September 1862, she married John Owen Dominis, an American who served as an official in the Hawaiian government and later became Governor of Oʻahu. Their marriage, as Liliʻuokalani herself noted in her memoir, was not always happy, and they had no biological children. However, she adopted three children, including Lydia Kaʻonohiponiponiokalani Aholo and Joseph Kaiponohea ʻAeʻa.

Her political career began to solidify with the ascension of her brother, David Kalākaua, to the throne in 1874. Following the death of another brother, W.P. Leleiohoku, who was the heir apparent, Liliʻuokalani was named heir presumptive in 1877. From this point, she was known by her royal name, Liliʻuokalani. During Kalākaua's reign, she actively participated in royal duties, serving as regent during his world tour in 1881 and organizing schools for Hawaiian youth. She also traveled internationally, meeting with U.S. President Grover Cleveland and Britain's Queen Victoria in 1887, further solidifying her understanding of international relations and diplomacy.

Upon the death of King Kalākaua in January 1891, Liliʻuokalani ascended to the throne, becoming the first and only reigning queen of Hawaiʻi. Her reign, however, was tragically short-lived, lasting only three years. A primary goal of her monarchy was to restore the power and sovereignty that had been eroded during her brother's reign, particularly by the Bayonet Constitution of 1887, which significantly diminished the monarch's authority and disenfranchised many native Hawaiians. She sought to promulgate a new constitution that would restore the monarchy's power and the rights of her people.

This desire to restore Hawaiian sovereignty directly challenged the interests of American businessmen and sugar planters who had gained considerable influence and economic control in Hawaiʻi. Fearing the loss of their power and privileges, these haole (foreign) businessmen, led by Sanford Dole, orchestrated a coup d'état. In January 1893, they demanded her abdication and established a provisional government, pending annexation by the United States. To prevent bloodshed among her people, Queen Liliʻuokalani reluctantly surrendered, issuing a statement that she yielded her authority under protest to the superior force of the United States.

Despite her appeal to U.S. President Grover Cleveland, who recognized the injustice of the overthrow and attempted to reinstate her, the provisional government refused to yield. In 1895, an insurrection led by royalist Robert Wilcox in the Queen's name was suppressed, leading to Liliʻuokalani's arrest and imprisonment in ʻIolani Palace on charges of treason. To secure pardons for her supporters, she formally abdicated on January 24, 1895. The United States officially annexed Hawaiʻi as a territory in July 1898, a move she vehemently opposed throughout her life [1, 2].

Beyond her political struggles, Queen Liliʻuokalani was a profound cultural figure. She was a gifted musician and composer, credited with over 150 songs, including the iconic "Aloha ʻOe," which remains a beloved anthem of Hawaiʻi. Her compositions often reflected her deep love for her homeland and her people, and she used her musical talents to preserve Hawaiian culture and language. She was also active in organizing schools for Hawaiian youth, demonstrating her commitment to education and the perpetuation of Hawaiian identity [2, 3].

Her memoir, _Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen_, published in 1898, stands as the only autobiography written by a Hawaiian monarch. In it, she recounts her life, her rise to the throne, the overthrow of the monarchy, and her subsequent arrest and trial. This work provides invaluable insight into her perspective and her unwavering dedication to her people. She spent the remainder of her life advocating for the rights of native Hawaiians and for the restoration of their land and autonomy [1, 3].

Queen Liliʻuokalani passed away on November 11, 1917, at the age of 79, in her home in Honolulu. Her legacy is one of immense strength, resilience, and unwavering devotion to her nation. She is remembered as a symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty and cultural pride. Numerous places and institutions bear her name, including the Liliʻuokalani Trust, which she established to care for orphaned and destitute Hawaiian children, continuing her lifelong commitment to the welfare of her people. Her motto, "ʻOnipaʻa" (steadfast, firm, resolute), encapsulates her enduring spirit in the face of adversity [2, 3].

Her famous quote, "It is for them that I would give the last drop of my blood; it is for them that I would spend, nay, am spending, everything belonging to me," from _Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen_, powerfully expresses her dedication to her people. Her life and struggle continue to inspire those fighting for indigenous rights and self-determination worldwide. She remains a pivotal figure in Hawaiian history, representing the enduring spirit of the Hawaiian people and their quest for justice and cultural preservation.

Her elevated status was further underscored by her possession of the _kapu moe_, or prostrating taboo. This ancient Hawaiian law mandated that commoners prostrate themselves in her presence, and even touching her shadow was punishable by death. Such was her sanctity that even Kamehameha I, the unifier of the Hawaiian Islands, was required to remove his _malo_ (loincloth) in her presence. Despite the severity of these kapu, Keōpūolani was known for her kindheartedness and mild temperament, often offering protection to those who inadvertently broke the kapu, rather than enforcing harsh punishments.

In 1790, at the age of 11, Keōpūolani became entangled in the political machinations that would lead to the unification of the islands. During Kamehameha's invasion of Maui, her great-uncle King Kahekili II was absent, and the Maui forces, led by Kalanikupule, were defeated at the Battle of Kepaniwai. To secure peace and protect her family, Keōpūolani's grandmother, Kalola, offered her as a future bride to Kamehameha, thereby linking the ruling houses of Maui and Hawaiʻi and solidifying Kamehameha's claim to power. She married Kamehameha in 1795, becoming his highest-ranking wife and queen consort.

Keōpūolani bore Kamehameha I three children who survived to adulthood: Prince Liholiho (born 1797), who would later become King Kamehameha II; Prince Kauikeaouli (born 1814), who would become King Kamehameha III; and Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena (born 1815). It is believed she had several other children who died in infancy. Her children with Kamehameha were considered so sacred that Kamehameha himself would allow them to sit on his chest, a profound gesture acknowledging their superior status. Breaking with the Hawaiian tradition of _hānai_ (fosterage), Keōpūolani kept her daughter Nāhiʻenaʻena by her side.

Following Kamehameha I's death in 1819, Keōpūolani's eldest son, Liholiho, ascended the throne as Kamehameha II. While generally remaining outside direct political involvement, she supported Kamehameha I's favorite wife, Kaʻahumanu, who served as Kuhina Nui (Regent). A pivotal moment in Hawaiian history, the ʻAi Noa, or the overthrow of the kapu system, saw Keōpūolani play an instrumental role. Alongside Queen Kaʻahumanu and Kahuna-nui Hewahewa, she publicly broke the kapu by sharing a meal of forbidden foods, demonstrating that the gods would not punish them. This act paved the way for the arrival of Christian missionaries in 1820.

Keōpūolani was among the first of the aliʻi to convert to Christianity, adopting Western clothing and learning to read and write. In 1823, she publicly declared an end to the custom of royal polygamy, aligning with Christian practices, and subsequently, Hoapili became her sole husband. She fell ill in August 1823, and sensing her impending death, expressed her desire for a Christian burial. She was baptized on September 16, 1823, taking the Christian name Harriet, and died shortly thereafter. Her public funeral was held on September 18, 1823, and she was initially buried at Hale Kamani in Lahaina. Her remains were later transferred to the sacred island of Mokuʻula and possibly reburied at Waiola Church.

Keōpūolani's legacy is profound, marked by her influence in Hawaiian history and her role in significant political and cultural transformations. She is remembered for her sacred lineage, her gentle nature, and her pivotal involvement in the ʻAi Noa, which dramatically reshaped Hawaiian society. Her commitment to Christianity in her final years also left a lasting impact. Today, her memory is honored through places such as Keōpūolani Park in Wailuku and the Keōpūolani Dormitory on the Kapalama Campus of Kamehameha Schools.