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Liliʻuokalani's Privy Council of State facts for kids

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Liliuokalani in Washington D.C. (2)
Liliʻuokalani became Queen of Hawaii in 1891.

When King Kalākaua passed away in San Francisco on January 20, 1891, his body was brought back to Honolulu. His sister, Queen Liliʻuokalani, was chosen to be the next ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The Privy Council of State was a special group of advisors. Their job was to help the monarch make important decisions. Cabinet ministers were automatically part of this council. Other members were chosen by the King or Queen. At an urgent meeting, Kalākaua's council and the Supreme Court judges agreed. They decided that Liliʻuokalani should become Queen on January 29. She didn't want to discuss government matters during her mourning period. But she agreed and took her oath of office. Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Albert Francis Judd gave her the oath. Her husband, John Owen Dominis, was given the title of Prince Consort.

What Was the Privy Council?

The Privy Council was like a team of trusted advisors. They helped the Hawaiian monarch govern the kingdom. These advisors were important people from different backgrounds. They included Native Hawaiians, people of European descent, and those with mixed heritage. Some members even became leaders of the group that later tried to overthrow the Queen. Others fought against the overthrow and the idea of Hawaii joining the United States.

Changes to the Government

The 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom brought a big change. The monarch could still choose cabinet ministers. But only the legislature could remove them. Or, ministers could choose to resign. After her brother's funeral, Queen Liliʻuokalani asked his ministers to resign. They refused, leading to a legal challenge. The Supreme Court ruled in her favor. All four cabinet members resigned. Three of them stayed on her Privy Council.

Key People on the Council

Many important individuals served on Queen Liliʻuokalani's Privy Council. These people played different roles in the Hawaiian Kingdom. They helped shape the government and its future.

  • John Owen Dominis: He was the Prince Consort, meaning he was Queen Liliʻuokalani's husband. He also served as Governor of Oahu for many years.
  • Albert Francis Judd: As Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, he was a very important legal figure. He gave Queen Liliʻuokalani her oath of office.
  • Samuel Parker: He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for a long time. He also acted as the Minister of Finance.
  • Charles Nichols Spencer: He was the Minister of the Interior. This role involved managing internal affairs of the kingdom.
  • Sanford B. Dole: He was a judge on the Supreme Court. Later, he became a key figure in the overthrow of the monarchy. He led the Provisional Government and then the Republic of Hawaii. He also became the first governor of the Territory of Hawaii.
  • Archibald Scott Cleghorn: He was the husband of Liliʻuokalani's sister, Likelike. He served as Governor of Oahu.
  • William G. Irwin: A powerful businessman and banker. He was involved in the kingdom's finances and loans.
  • Paul Neumann: He served as Attorney General. After the monarchy was overthrown, he became the Queen's personal lawyer.

Images for kids

  • William DeWitt Alexander

    William DeWitt Alexander

  • William Fessenden Allen (PP-67-4-007) (cropped2)

    William Fessenden Allen

  • Joseph Ballard Atherton (PP-67-6-005) (cropped)

    Joseph Ballard Atherton

  • John Timoteo Baker (PP-67-8-018)

    John Tamatoa Baker

  • Robert Hoapili Baker (PP-67-8-016)

    Robert Hoapili Baker

  • George C. Beckley (PP-68-1-006) (cropped)

    George Charles Moʻoheau Beckley

  • Richard Frederick Bickerton (Hawaiian Gazette)

    Richard F. Bickerton

  • Charlesreedbishop

    Charles Reed Bishop

  • Cecil Brown (PP-68-7-013) (cropped)

    Cecil Brown

  • Godfrey Brown (1918)

    Godfrey Brown

  • John Edward Bush

    John Edward Bush

  • Joseph O. Carter

    Joseph O. Carter

  • William H. Cornwell

    William H. Cornwell

  • John Adams Kuakini Cummins

    John Adams Cummins

  • Samuel Mills Damon (PP-70-7-020)

    Samuel Mills Damon

  • Sanford B. Dole holding newspaper

    Sanford B. Dole

  • John Liwaikalaniopuu Ena

    John Ena

  • Abraham Kaleimahoe Fernandez

    Abraham Kaleimahoe Fernandez

  • Men of Hawaii; a biographical reference library, complete and authentic, of the men of note and substantial achievement in the Hawaiian Islands v. 1-5 (1917) (14579185508)

    Walter M. Giffard

  • Fred H. Hayselden

    Frederick H. Hayselden

  • Curtis P. Iaukea (PP-73-3-021)

    Curtis P. Iaukea

  • William G. Irwin, The Overland Monthly (1895)

    William G. Irwin

  • Daniel Paul Rice Isenberg

    Paul Isenberg Jr.

  • Peter Cushman Jones (November 1892)

    Peter Cushman Jones

  • Junius Kaae, Advertiser sketch, 1906

    Junius Kaʻae

  • Paul P. Kanoa, Advertiser sketch, 1895

    Paul P. Kanoa

  • John Lot Kaulukou

    John Lot Kaulukoʻu

  • J. K. Kaunamano (1893 crop)

    John K. Kaunamano

  • DavidKawananakoa1

    David Kawānanakoa

  • Edward K. Lilikalani (PP-75-4-009)

    Edward Kamakau Lilikalani

  • John Mott-Smith

    John Mott-Smith

  • Nahinu in 1886

    David Hopeni Nahinu

  • Paul Neumann2

    Paul Neumann

  • Franklin Seaver Pratt

    Franklin Seaver Pratt

  • Godfrey Rhodes and daughter

    Godfrey Rhodes

  • George Edward Kekuihapo Richardson

    George E. Richardson

  • John Richardson, in uniform, Advertiser, 1917

    John Richardson

  • James W. Robertson as Chamberlain under Kalakaua

    James W. Robertson

  • Mark P. Robinson (November 1892)

    Mark Prever Robinson

  • Antone Rosa outside Iolani Palace

    Antone Rosa

  • Charles Nichols Spencer

    Charles Nichols Spencer

  • Alfred N. Tripp, Hawaiian Gazette, 1913

    Alfred N. Tripp

  • John Smith Walker

    John Smith Walker

  • John Thomas Waterhouse, Jr., The Advertiser, 1896

    John T. Waterhouse Jr.

  • Henry Martyn Whitney, later life

    Henry Martyn Whitney

  • Hermann A. Widemann, photograph by J. J. Williams (cropped)

    Hermann A. Widemann

  • George Norton Wilcox

    George Norton Wilcox

  • Charles Burnett Wilson (marshal)

    Charles Burnett Wilson

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