Hui Kālaiʻāina facts for kids

The Hui Kālaiʻāina (which means Hawaiian Political Association) was a group started in 1888. Its main goal was to fight against a new law called the 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, also known as the Bayonet Constitution. They also wanted to make sure Native Hawaiians had strong leadership in their government. This group, along with another called Hui Aloha ʻĀina, worked hard to stop the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and prevent Hawaii from becoming part of the United States between 1893 and 1898.

What Was Hui Kālaiʻāina?

The Hui Kālaiʻāina, or Hawaiian Political Association, was formed on November 22, 1888. Its main purpose was to oppose the 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This constitution was often called the "Bayonet Constitution" because it was forced upon King Kalākaua by armed groups. The Hui Kālaiʻāina also wanted to promote Native Hawaiian leaders in the government.

Early Leaders

The group chose John E. Bush as its first president. He had been a royal governor of Kauai and a minister for King Kalākaua. An American named Daniel Lyons also helped organize the group and later became its president.

Fighting for the Kingdom

On January 14, 1893, members of Hui Kālaiʻāina and other Hawaiian leaders marched to ʻIolani Palace. They carried a new constitution that Queen Liliʻuokalani wanted to put into effect. John W. Alapai, who was the president of Hui Kālaiʻāina at the time, led the procession.

The Overthrow of the Monarchy

These actions, and the tense political situation, led to the overthrow of the monarchy on January 17, 1893. This happened with the help of the United States Minister John L. Stevens and American soldiers from the USS Boston.

After a short time under a temporary government, the Republic of Hawaii was formed on July 4, 1894. Sanford B. Dole became its president. This new government, mostly made up of people of American and European descent, wanted Hawaii to join the United States. However, most Native Hawaiians wanted their independent nation and monarchy back.

Stopping Annexation

In 1897, the United States was considering a treaty to annex Hawaii. To fight this, Hui Kālaiʻāina and other Hawaiian groups gathered petitions. They wanted to show that Hawaiians did not want to be part of the U.S.

The Kūʻē Petitions

Members of Hui Kālaiʻāina collected 17,000 signatures against annexation. They also asked for Queen Liliʻuokalani to be put back on the throne. Another group, Hui Aloha ʻĀina, collected over 21,000 signatures across the islands, also opposing annexation.

These petitions were taken to the United States government by a group of Native Hawaiian delegates. This group included James Keauiluna Kaulia (president of Hui Aloha ʻĀina) and David Kalauokalani (president of Hui Kālaiʻāina). To make their message stronger and more united, Hui Kālaiʻāina decided not to submit their own petition. Instead, Kalauokalani supported the signatures collected by Hui Aloha ʻĀina.

The petitions showed how strongly the Hawaiian community opposed annexation. Because of this, the treaty to annex Hawaii was defeated in the U.S. Senate.

Hawaii Becomes a U.S. Territory

However, a year later, in July 1898, Hawaii was annexed by the Newlands Resolution. This was a special law passed by the U.S. Congress. It happened shortly after the Spanish–American War began, as Hawaii was seen as an important military location in the Pacific.

Even after annexation, Hui Kālaiʻāina continued to try and undo it. They worked to restore a Native Hawaiian-led government, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

End of the Organization

In 1900, Hui Kālaiʻāina joined with Hui Aloha ʻĀina to form a new political group called the Hawaiian Home Rule Party. David Kalauokalani became the president of this new party, and James Keauiluna Kaulia was the vice-president.

Missing Petitions

In 1996, a historian named Noenoe K. Silva found the 21,269 signatures of the Kūʻē Petitions from Hui Aloha ʻĀina in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. However, the original petition collected by Hui Kālaiʻāina is still missing.

Images for kids

• John E Bush.jpg

  John E. Bush, the first president of Hui Kālaiʻāina.

• Iolani Palace.jpg

  ʻIolani Palace, where the Hui Kālaiʻāina marched with a new constitution.

• USS Boston (1884) - NH 50059.jpg

  The USS Boston, whose crew helped in the overthrow.

• Sanford B Dole.jpg

  Sanford B. Dole, the first president of the Republic of Hawaii.

• Kue Petition.jpg

  A page from the Kūʻē Petition, showing signatures against annexation.