Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen facts for kids

Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen is a special book written by Queen Liliʻuokalani. She was the very last ruler, or monarch, of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. The book was first published in 1898. This was five years after her government was overthrown.

In her book, Queen Liliʻuokalani shares her own story. She writes about growing up and becoming queen. She also describes how her government was taken over by people who wanted Hawaiʻi to be part of the United States. The Queen explains her efforts to get the United States to help bring back the Hawaiian monarchy. She also writes about her arrest and trial after an attempt in 1895 to restore the Kingdom.

The Queen's Story

A Royal Life and a Lost Throne

Queen Liliʻuokalani's book tells her personal journey. It starts with her early life and how she became the leader of Hawaiʻi. She shares what it was like to be a queen. But the book also covers a very sad time for her and her people.

The Overthrow of the Kingdom

In 1893, a group of people, mostly Americans living in Hawaiʻi, took control of the government. They removed Queen Liliʻuokalani from her throne. This event is known as the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. The Queen believed this was wrong. She felt it was an unfair act against her nation.

Seeking Help from America

After the overthrow, Queen Liliʻuokalani tried to get help from the United States. She hoped they would help her regain her throne. Her friend, U.S. President Grover Cleveland, did try to help. He asked the new leader of Hawaiʻi, Sanford B. Dole, to give the Queen her power back. President Cleveland sent someone named James Henderson Blount to investigate what happened. Blount's report suggested the U.S. had played a role in the overthrow.

However, Sanford B. Dole refused President Cleveland's request. So, Cleveland sent the matter to the United States Congress. Congress looked into it more. They created the Morgan Report in 1894. This report said that the U.S. government had not been involved in the overthrow. After this report, a decision called the Turpie Resolution was made. This ended any hope for the Queen to get help from the U.S. to regain her throne.

Hawaii Becomes Part of the U.S.

In 1898, the same year Queen Liliʻuokalani's book was published, Hawaiʻi became a U.S. territory. This happened through a special agreement by the U.S. president and Congress called the Newlands Resolution. Queen Liliʻuokalani did not agree to this. Many people in Hawaiʻi also did not want it to happen. Because of this, some people still question if this annexation was truly legal.

Why This Book Matters Today

Many people who are part of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement see this book as very important. This movement works to restore the independence of Hawaiʻi. They believe the book is a key record of how the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown. It helps them understand what happened.

Different Views on History

While the Queen's book is a powerful account, some of her statements about the overthrow are different from other historical records. For example, the Morgan Report and a study from 1983 called the Native Hawaiians Study Commission Report have different details. Historians look at all these sources to understand the full story.

The Queen's Feelings

No matter the different viewpoints, many people agree on one thing. Queen Liliʻuokalani's book successfully shows her deep sadness and frustration. It shows how she and her supporters felt about losing the throne. It also shows their sorrow about Hawaiʻi losing its independence and becoming part of the United States. The book helps readers understand the emotional impact of these big changes.