KE AUPUNI UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2024
The Queen Never Abdicated
September is Hawaiian History month. The article in the April 27, 2024 Ke Aupuni Update was titled: “The Queen Never Surrendered”. This one is about the so-called “abdication” of Queen Liliuʻokalani. It is true, sort of…
Here’s a brief recap of events leading up to the so-called abdication.
On January 17, 1893 with a company of armed US Marines backing them, white insurgents seize control of the government.
On December 18, 1893 President Cleveland denounces the actions of the insurgents, and calls for the reinstatement of Queen Liliuʻokalani and the lawful government of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
The insurgents respond by telling the US to mind its own business, then on July 4, 1894, proclaim the Hawaiian Kingdom was now the Republic of Hawaii.
From January 6-9, 1895, Hawaiian Patriots fail in an armed uprising to overthrow the “Republic” and restore Liliuʻokalani to the throne.
The leaders of the “rebellion” are captured, tried for treason and sentenced to death.
January 16, 1895, Queen Liliuʻokalani was arrested, confined to a room at Iolani Palace and, on February 8, 1895, tried for treason against the Republic.
On January 24, 1895, while under house arrest, representatives of the Republic presented Liliuʻokalani with a letter of abdication for her to sign. They made it clear to her that if she did not sign, the leaders of the “rebellion” would be executed.
Under those conditions, to save the lives of her dear followers and friends, she signed the document of abdication.
The Republic then announced to the world that the Queen had abdicated and used it to fortify their claim of legitimacy. Countries with treaties with the Hawaiian Kingdom, shifted to dealing with the Republic of Hawaii and business went on as usual.
But did the Queen abdicate? Actually, no… for several reasons.
First, a document signed under coercion and duress is invalid.
Second, what she signed, was not her name. She signed, Lili’uokalani Dominis, a name she had never used before or since; nor was it her official name as the monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Third, in her autobiography, and in many other instances, she completely repudiated that “letter of abdication”.
Fourth, the Queen worked tirelessly in the years immediately following that “abdication” to have the Hawaiian Kingdom government and herself as the sovereign, restored as an independent nation.
Words have been used to distort, embed and promote the false narratives in the telling of our story. It is up to us to set the record straight for us and for others who need to know the truth.
“Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station.” — Queen Liliʻuokalani
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Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono. The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.
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For the latest news and developments about our progress at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, tune in to Free Hawaii News at
6 PM the first Friday of each month on ʻŌlelo Television, Channel 53.
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Hawaiian National
