The Illegal Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom Remembered

By Timothy Hurley

Thousands of people, many dressed in black, marched to Iolani Palace this morning to mark the 125th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. The march started after 9 a.m. at the Royal Mausoleum at Mauna Ala and head down Nuuanu Avenue before turning onto Beretania, Richards and King streets, arriving at Iolani Palace around 10:30 a.m. At 10:45 a.m. the Hawaiian flag was raised above the palace at the same time of day it was taken down during the overthrow. The rally moved to the Queen Lili‘uokalani statue on the makai side of the state Capitol and then onto the Capitol rotunda for live music, hula and speeches. The rally coincided with the opening day of the state Legislature. It was on Jan. 17, 1893, that Western businessmen and missionary descendants, backed by U.S. Marines, toppled the queen. One hundred years later the U.S. formally apologized for its role in the overthrow, and a centennial observance attracted more than 20,000 to Iolani Palace. The rally was planned by Hui Ku Like Kakou, the Royal Order of Kameha­meha I, the Kalihi Palama Culture and Arts Society, ʻAina Momona, Kameha­meha Schools and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, among other organizations.