Forum

1993 Centennial Commemoration of the
American overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom at
‘ Iolani Palace, Honolulu

Over 15,000 people marched to ‘Iolani Palace, residence of our last monarch, Queen Lili‘uokalani, to protest the 1893 American military invasion of our country in support of an all-white, all-male “Committee of 13” which, with the aid of American marines and at the instigation of the American Minister, Stevens, seized political power. Re-naming themselves the "Provisional Government," the Committee requested immediate recognition by the United States, and eventual annexation. President Cleveland, however, withdrew the pending annexation legislation, sending Commissioner Blount to investigate the overthrow. Upon reading Blount's report, Cleveland concluded the following:

“The lawful government of Hawai‘i was overthrown without the drawing of a sword or the firing of a shot by a process every step of which is directly traceable to and dependent for its success upon the agency of the United States acting through its diplomatic and naval representatives...

“By an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States and without authority of Congress, the Government of a friendly and confiding people has been overthrown. A substantial wrong has thus been committed which a due regard for our national character as well as the rights of the injured people requires we should endeavor to repair.”

The Hawaiian government was never restored. In 1898, Hawai‘i was annexed by the United States, without public referendum of any kind.

The march was organized by the single largest sovereignty organization at the time, Ka Lahui Hawai‘i. My sister, Mililani Trask, was the elected governor of Ka Lahui, while I was the Director of the Hawaiian Studies Center. Ka Lahui led the march. Hula masters also attended, along with our South Sea Polynesian cousins who participated with chants in their own language.

The key political demand for Hawaiian self-government was the purpose and the focus of the march. But in 2004, more than ten years later, Hawaiians remain under the military and political subjugation of the United States.