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by Emilia Kandagawa The Hawaiian League, under the leadership of Sanford Ballard Dole and Lorrin Andrews Thurston, justified the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom government in part through a concerted campaign to characterize Queen Liliʻuokalani as unfit to rule. Her specific "crime" had been taking unilateral action to put forward a new constitution for her own benefit.  “A Wonderful Week,” Friend, February 1893, p9.” In the University of Hawaiʻi's 1931 yearbook, titled Ka Palapala, they refer to the period between 1890 to 1899 as the "Transition" and claim the Queen had "ruled despotically, bringing about changes without consulting the will of her people."  This narrative has largely persisted intact for 125 years. While this claim regarding the new constitution has been challenged by many, there has been little primary-source documentation presented in the public sphere to refute it. Queen Liliʻuokalani was in fact demanded a new constitution by her constituents. Soon after ascending to the throne, Her Majesty received palapala hoʻopiʻi (petitions) from Hui Kālaiʻāina (the Hawaiian Political Association) demanding a new constitution. The organization, originally formed on November 22, 1888, to advocate for repeal of the 1887 Bayonet Constitution, became the first registered Hawaiian political party and elected loyalist Hawaiians to the 1890 and 1892 legislatures. Prominent poʻe aloha ʻāina (patriots) Joseph Kahoʻoluhi Nāwahīokalaniopuʻu and William Pūnohuʻāweoweoʻulaokalani White helped lead Hui Kalaiʻāina in its push for a constitutional convention and gathering of signatures across the Islands to petition the Queen and her cabinet. These petitions are mentioned in her book Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen and serve as evidence that Queen Liliʻuokalani was, in fact, listening to the voice of her people. In Chapter 38, titled "Hawaiians Plead for a New Constitution," she writes: The election of 1892 arrived, and with it the usual excitement of such occasions. Petitions poured in from every part of the Islands for a new constitution; these were addressed to myself as the reigning sovereign. They were supported by petitions addressed to the Hui Kalaiaina, who in turn endorsed and forwarded them to me. It was estimated by those in position to know, that out of a possible 9500 registered voters, 6500, or two-thirds, had signed these petitions. To have ignored or disregarded so general a request, I must have been deaf to the voice of the people, which tradition tells us is the voice of God. No true Hawaiian chief would have done other than to promise a consideration of their wishes. (p. 230-231) The Hawaiʻi State Archives has preserved and protected thirty-four pages of these original petitions – a total of 1,782 signatures – collected from Maui, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island:
The location of the remaining petitions in unknown. However the thirty-four pages of petitions offered here are of great value in demonstrating the will of the people as heeded by the Queen. The original text of the petitions reads: Palapala Hoopii IA LILIUOKALANI, As translated from ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi by Hawaiʻi State Archives’ translator, Jason Achiu, the petition reads: [Petition] TO LILIUOKALANI, *Petitions to Queen Liliʻuokalani [ca. 1892] M-93, folder 145, doc. S-10 [Seized documents]
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 ***For Immediate Release 1/8/2018***Isaac Paka Harp
Board Member, Ka Ahahui Hawaii Aloha Aina/Hawaiian Patriotic League P.O. Box 4475, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720, www.kahaa.org Phone (808) 756-7379 RE: Ka ʻAhahui Hawaiʻi Aloha ʻĀina / Hawaiian Patriotic League participation in the events being held on January 17th, 2018, the 125th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom government with military intervention by the United States During a special meeting held January 7, 2018 the members of the Central Body of Ka ʻAhahui Hawaiʻi Aloha ʻĀina / Hawaiian Patriotic League met regarding the 125th anniversary commemorative events being held in Honolulu on January 17, 2018. Those members in attendance voted unanimously to participate in activities to be held at Mauna ʻAla, the so-called State Capitol rotunda, and ʻIolani Palace grounds as a show of support for and rememberance of our late Queen Liliʻuokalani and to acknowledge the continuity of the Hawaiian Kingdom. We therefore issue the following statement to our Membership: The ʻAhahui Hawaiʻi Aloha ʻĀina / Hawaiian Patriotic League highly encourages all members, Hawaiian Kingdom subjects, Aloha ʻĀina Patriots and supporters to participate in the events centered on the 125th anniversary of the illegal overthrow and subsequent occupation of our lands by United States-backed insurgents. We call for all like-minded individuals to gather peacefully, regardless of political affiliation, and unify in remembrance of our beloved Queen. We ask that all members make necessary arrangements to attend as they are able. We also ask for those who are unable to attend in person, to keep our Queen, Country, and Kupuna Aloha ʻĀina / Hawaiian patriots in your thoughts. Display your Hae Hawaiʻi and National symbols in prominent places, observing moments of quiet contemplation throughout the day. We ask that our Lāhui follow their hearts, and not give in to divisive rhetoric taking place on social media or calls from organizational leaders proposing a boycott of such events. Let this be a time of unity and reflection amongst our people. Let us gather, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart to raise our banners for our Queen, our Country and our Lāhui. Aloha ʻĀina, Ka ʻAhahui Hawaiʻi Aloha ʻĀina / Hawaiian Patriotic League |
Puke HoʻomanaʻoBlog of the Central Body of the Hawaiian Patriotic League Archives
November 2018
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