Lili'uokalani -- Hawaii's Last Queen (documentary excerpt)

HawaiiView

1 May 200910:51

Summary

TLDRQueen Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was overthrown in 1893 with the aid of U.S. Marines. Her reign was marked by a deep connection to both Hawaiian and Western cultures. Despite her efforts, she was deposed and exiled, leading to the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898. Her life became a symbol of the lost kingdom, and her legacy continues to resonate in Hawaiian history.

Takeaways

👑 Queen Liliuokalani was the last monarch of the independent Kingdom of Hawaii, which had its own flag, national anthem, and parliament.
⚔️ In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown with the help of the United States Marines, causing a great loss for the Hawaiian people.
📜 Liliuokalani was highly educated, versed in both Western and Hawaiian cultures, and she anticipated the challenges Hawaii would face.
🎶 A poet and composer, Queen Liliuokalani dined at the White House and visited Buckingham Palace, though she was unprepared for the political crisis that came with her reign.
🌺 After her overthrow, she believed the U.S. would recognize the mistake and reinstate her, but instead, the American flag was raised over the government building.
📚 During her imprisonment, Liliuokalani was denied reading materials except for her prayer book. She also embroidered a quilt that recorded important events of her life.
📝 Liliuokalani formally abdicated the throne to save her people, marking the end of the Hawaiian monarchy and the Kingdom of Hawaii.
🇺🇸 In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Hawaii was formally annexed by the United States, becoming an important strategic point in the Pacific.
🎗️ During the annexation ceremony, the Hawaiian flag was lowered for the last time, and pieces were given to descendants of the missionaries as tokens of victory.
🌋 After Queen Liliuokalani’s death in 1917, strange natural events were recorded, like volcanic eruptions and the appearance of red fish, symbolizing the end of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Q & A

What was the significance of Queen Liliʻuokalani's reign in Hawaii?
-Queen Liliʻuokalani was the last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii and was beloved by her people. She was a symbol of Hawaiian culture and sovereignty, and her reign was marked by efforts to preserve the Hawaiian way of life and resist foreign influence.
How did the United States Marines contribute to the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani?
-The United States Marines helped to overthrow Queen Liliʻuokalani by assisting in her removal from the throne in 1893, which was a pivotal event that led to the end of the Hawaiian monarchy and the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States.
What was Queen Liliʻuokalani's response to the raising of the American flag over the government building?
-Queen Liliʻuokalani expressed her distress and sadness in her diary, stating that time may wear off the feeling of injury, but she was deeply hurt to see a strange flag waving over her beloved Hawaiian flag.
Why did the Hawaiian people begin wearing hatbands that said 'Aloha' after the overthrow of the monarchy?
-The Hawaiian people wore hatbands that said 'Aloha' as a form of peaceful protest and to express their patriotism and loyalty to their queen and the Hawaiian Kingdom after it was overthrown.
What was the significance of the quilts made with the Hawaiian flag during Queen Liliʻuokalani's time?
-The quilts made with the Hawaiian flag were a form of silent protest against the banning of the flag and a way to keep the spirit of the Hawaiian Kingdom alive during a time when it was under threat.
How did Queen Liliʻuokalani spend her time during her imprisonment?
-During her imprisonment, Queen Liliʻuokalani spent her time embroidering a quilt with a record of her life, praying, and creating other pieces, reflecting her resilience and the importance she placed on preserving her culture and legacy.
What was the condition under which Queen Liliʻuokalani formally abdicated the throne?
-Queen Liliʻuokalani abdicated the throne under the threat that six of her people would be executed if she did not do so, which she did to protect her subjects.
How did the provisional government of Hawaii attempt to erase the Hawaiian Kingdom's history?
-The provisional government attempted to erase the Hawaiian Kingdom's history by renaming the palace, declaring martial law, and enforcing a blackout of news, all in an effort to suppress the Hawaiian identity and culture.
What was the significance of the annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898?
-The annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898 marked the end of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the beginning of Hawaii as a U.S. territory. It was a strategic move for the U.S. due to its location and was a significant loss for the Hawaiian people.
How did Queen Liliʻuokalani's death affect the Hawaiian people and their perception of her?
-Queen Liliʻuokalani's death was deeply mourned by the Hawaiian people, and she became an embodiment of the Kingdom and its loss. The strange events following her funeral, such as volcanic eruptions and the seas turning an odd hue, were seen by some as the elements recognizing the end of the Kingdom.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani

The script narrates the historical account of Queen Liliuokalani, the last monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, who was dethroned in 1893 with the assistance of U.S. Marines. It describes the deep cultural significance of her reign and the profound impact of her removal on the Hawaiian people. The Queen, who was well-versed in both Western and Hawaiian cultures, was unprepared for the crisis that led to her exile. Despite her initial belief in a brief exile and reinstatement, she was forced to abdicate under the threat of executing six of her subjects. The narrative also touches on the Hawaiian people's peaceful protests, such as wearing hatbands and creating quilts with the banned Hawaiian flag, as a form of resistance and remembrance.

05:04

🏛️ Annexation of Hawaii and Legacy of Queen Liliuokalani

This section details the period following Queen Liliuokalani's abdication, including her release from imprisonment and the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States in 1898. It outlines the strategic importance of Hawaii recognized by President McKinley during the Spanish-American War and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of Hawaii with Sanford Dole as president. The script describes the emotional and symbolic events surrounding the lowering of the Hawaiian flag and the raising of the American flag over Iolani Palace. It also reflects on the Queen's later life as an American citizen and the strange occurrences following her death, which were seen by some as a sign of nature mourning the loss of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

10:04

🎶 Music and Reflection

The final paragraph consists solely of musical interludes and does not contain any spoken narrative or historical context. It serves as a reflective and emotional accompaniment to the preceding paragraphs, possibly providing a moment for the audience to contemplate the historical events and the legacy of Queen Liliuokalani.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Hawaiian Kingdom

The Hawaiian Kingdom refers to the independent sovereign nation that existed before the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893. It was a self-governing entity with its own parliament, flag, and national anthem. The video script describes it as a place where the Queen was revered and where traditional Hawaiian culture was deeply rooted. The overthrow of the Kingdom is a central theme of the video, symbolizing the loss of Hawaiian sovereignty and the beginning of a new era under American influence.

💡Queen Liliʻuokalani

Queen Liliʻuokalani was the last monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The script portrays her as a figure of great importance to Hawaiian culture, descended from generations of chiefs and educated by Americans. She was a poet and composer, and her removal from the throne in 1893 is depicted as a significant event that deeply affected the Hawaiian people. Her character in the video represents the loss of Hawaiian identity and the struggle against foreign intervention.

💡Overthrow

The term 'overthrow' in the context of the video refers to the coup d'état that resulted in the removal of Queen Liliʻuokalani from power in 1893. It was facilitated by the United States Marines, which is a pivotal moment in the video's narrative. The overthrow signifies the end of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the beginning of a period of foreign control, leading to the eventual annexation by the United States.

💡United States Marines

The United States Marines played a critical role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by assisting in the removal of Queen Liliʻuokalani from her throne. Their involvement, as mentioned in the script, represents the intervention of foreign powers in Hawaiian affairs and is a significant factor leading to the end of the Kingdom's independence.

💡Provisional Government

The Provisional Government was established after the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and before the formal annexation of Hawaii by the United States. The script describes it as a 'ragtag army' that enforced martial law and sought to establish a new political order. The Provisional Government is a key concept in the video, illustrating the transition from Hawaiian self-rule to American control.

💡Martial Law

Martial law, as mentioned in the script, was declared after the overthrow and was enforced by the Provisional Government. It refers to the imposition of military control over civilian functions of government, which was a response to the political unrest following the Queen's removal. In the video, martial law symbolizes the suppression of Hawaiian autonomy and the establishment of a new order under the Provisional Government.

💡Aloha

In the video, 'Aloha' is mentioned as a term of patriotism used by the Hawaiian people during the time of Queen Liliʻuokalani's exile. It is a Hawaiian word that encompasses love, affection, peace, and compassion. The script describes how Hawaiians wore hatbands that said 'Aloha' as a form of protest and identity, showing their loyalty to their Queen and their culture despite the political upheaval.

💡Hawaiian Flag

The Hawaiian flag is a symbol of the nation's sovereignty and cultural identity. In the video, the lowering of the Hawaiian flag and the raising of the American flag over Iolani Palace mark the end of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The flag's removal is a powerful visual in the script, representing the loss of Hawaiian independence and the beginning of American rule.

💡Annexation

Annexation in the context of the video refers to the formal incorporation of Hawaii into the United States in 1898. This event is depicted as the culmination of a series of political maneuvers that began with the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The annexation is a key turning point in the video, signifying the end of Hawaii's status as an independent entity and the beginning of its life as a U.S. territory.

💡Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace is the former royal residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's monarchs, located in Honolulu. In the video, it is the site where the Hawaiian flag was lowered and the American flag was raised, symbolizing the transfer of power. The palace serves as a physical representation of the Hawaiian monarchy and the changes that occurred with the annexation.

💡Lydia Kamaka Liili

Lydia Kamaka Liili is mentioned in the script as the person who embroidered a quilt during Queen Liliʻuokalani's imprisonment. This act symbolizes the resilience and cultural continuity of the Hawaiian people even in the face of political turmoil. The quilt serves as a tangible record of the Queen's life and a testament to the enduring spirit of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Highlights

Over a century ago, Hawaii was an independent nation with its own parliament, flag, and national anthem.

Queen Liliʻuokalani was a beloved ruler, descended from generations of chiefs revered as gods.

In 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani was removed from her throne with the help of the United States Marines.

The Queen's removal was a significant cultural loss for the Hawaiian people.

Liliʻuokalani was well-versed in both Western and Hawaiian cultures, understanding the values of both sides.

The Queen's birth in 1838 was heralded with days of chanting, a tradition among the high Chiefs.

By the time of the Queen's reign, many of the old Hawaiian traditions had already vanished.

News of the Queen's overthrow took 10 days to reach the outside world.

On January 18th, 1893, Liliʻuokalani went into exile, believing her exile would be brief.

The American flag was raised over the government building, symbolizing the change in power.

Liliʻuokalani wrote in her diary about the injury of seeing a strange flag wave over her beloved Hawaiian flag.

Hawaiians protested the overthrow by wearing hatbands that said 'Aloha' and making quilts with the Hawaiian flag.

During her imprisonment, Liliʻuokalani was denied all reading material except for her prayer book.

The Queen formally abdicated the throne under the threat of her people's execution.

The provisional government established the Republic of Hawaii with Sanford Dole as president.

The strategic value of Hawaii was recognized during the Spanish-American War, leading to its annexation by the United States.

On August 12th, 1898, the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Islands was formally transferred to the United States.

The Hawaiian flag was lowered for the last time, marking the end of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Liliʻuokalani lived for another 20 years as an American citizen, becoming the embodiment of the Kingdom's loss.

After the Queen's funeral, strange events such as volcanic eruptions and the seas turning red were recorded, as if nature mourned the loss of the Kingdom.