Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy
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[edit] The Coup
Although the coup d'état that overthrew Queen Lili'uokalani was supported primarily by local European and American business interests, most of the leaders of the movement were Kingdom subjects and included legislators, government officers, and even a Supreme Court Justice of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The monarchy had effectively lost power with the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii, but the last Hawaiian monarch was deposed on January 17, 1893. In the years after the overthrow when Hawaii became a territory of the United States, some of the royal family, most notably Prince Jonah Kuhio, worked within the Republican Party. The Prince would serve as delegate to Congress from 1902-1920. The coup itself was relatively bloodless, and the Republic of Hawai'i was declared in 1894 after immediate annexation was thwarted by a friend of Liliuokalani, President Grover Cleveland.
See also: Committee of Safety
[edit] The annexation of Hawai'i
Hawai'i was annexed into America as a Territory in the year 1898. Hawai'i was granted autonomous rule by 1900, with Sanford B. Dole as the first governor. Iolani Palace served as the capitol of the Hawaiian government until 1969.
[edit] Hawai'i as a U.S. state
Hawai'i became the 50th American state in 1959. It has four electoral votes today, and citizens can vote in national elections. Hawai'i currently has two senators and two congressmen.
