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Effects of the Coup d'État - The Queen's Struggle for Restitution

Following the Coup d'État of 1893 and the formation of the Provisional Government, Queen Lili‘uokalani embarked on a quest for political and moral restitution. She asked the United States of America to recognize the illegality of the Coup d'État and to reinstate the Kingdom of Hawai‘i as a sovereign nation under her authority. Though she faced overwhelming challenges, Queen Lili‘uokalani was diligent in her quest.

In 1894 the Provisional Government created the Republic of Hawai‘i and actively pushed for the annexation of Hawai‘i to the United States of America. Queen Lili‘uokalani’s quest for restitution and her supporters stood in the way. In 1895, after an uprising against the Republic of Hawai‘i, Queen Lili‘uokalani was arrested, brought to trial, and imprisoned. Even with these difficulties, she continued to fight the injustices done to her Kingdom and people.

Despite Queen Lili‘uokalani's struggles, on July 7, 1898 the Republic of Hawai‘i was annexed to the United States of America. A few months prior, Queen Lili‘uokalani wrote this poignant message to her people in her 1898 diary:

Auwe! kuu aloha i kuu Aina hanau ame kuu lahui aloha. Ka iwi o kuu iwi ke koko o kuu koko. Aloha! Aloha! Aloha!

Alas! My love for my homeland and my beloved people. The bones of my bones the blood of my blood. Aloha! Aloha! Aloha!

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