Privy Council of the Hawaiian Kingdom facts for kids
The Privy Council of the Hawaiian Kingdom was a special group of advisors to the Hawaiian monarch. It was also known as the King's Privy Council of State or Queen's Privy Council of State. In Hawaiian, it was called Hawaiian: Ka Mōʻī ʻAha Kūkākūkā Malu o ke Aupuni. This council helped the king or queen make important decisions for the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1845 to 1893. Its members were called privy councillors. They often held other important jobs in the government too.
How It Started
The idea for a group of advisors came from an older group called the Council of Chiefs (ʻAha Aliʻi). This council existed during the time of Kamehameha III and the kings before him. The Council of Chiefs also led to the creation of the House of Nobles in the Hawaiian Legislature.
The first official meeting of the Privy Council was on July 29, 1845. However, it might have started informally even earlier. The council became officially recognized after a law was passed on October 29, 1845. This law explained how cabinet ministers would be chosen and what the Privy Council's role would be.
What They Did
The monarch (king or queen) usually led the Privy Council meetings. If the monarch was away, the Kuhina Nui (who was like a prime minister or vice-monarch) would lead. The council included five (later four) cabinet ministers, including the Kuhina Nui. The four island governors were also members because of their positions. The monarch could also appoint other people to the council.
The 1852 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom made the council's role even clearer and more important. The main job of the Privy Council was to advise the monarch and approve their decisions. This included big choices like declaring war, forgiving people who broke laws, calling the legislature together, making diplomatic agreements, and appointing judges or governors.
Changes Over Time
After Kamehameha IV passed away without an heir on November 30, 1863, the Kuhina Nui, Victoria Kamāmalu, talked with the Privy Council. Together, they announced that Prince Lot Kapuāiwa would be the new king, Kamehameha V.
The new king, Kamehameha V, introduced the 1864 Constitution. This new set of rules changed things quite a bit. It removed the position of Kuhina Nui. It also reduced some of the Privy Council's power. At the same time, it made the monarch's position stronger. Later constitutions did not include the island governors as automatic members of the Privy Council.
End of the Council
The Privy Council of State stopped existing in 1893. This happened after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and when Queen Liliuokalani was removed from power. The new government, called the Provisional Government, and later the Republic of Hawaii, replaced the Privy Council with different advisory groups.
Historian Ralph Simpson Kuykendall said that the Privy Council became a very important part of the government. He noted that many powers and duties were given to it by the laws of 1845. After 1852, it became a "most important feature of the government."
