Queen Liliʻuokalani deposed as a result of new constitution

HONOLULU (KHON2) — In the ahupuaʻa of Waikīkī, which lies in the moku of Kona here on Oʻahu, stands a residential roadway given the name typically translated as “supernatural or divine power.”

We are speaking of Mana Pl.

The word mana carries a broad spectrum of translations, including “miraculous power”, “to worship” or the stage in growth for fish in which colors appear.

But another meaning to mana is “to place in authority or authorize,” reflective of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s final actions as reigning monarch.

Lydia Kamakaʻeha became Liliʻuokalani on April 12, 1877, when her brother, King David Kalākaua, proclaimed her as his heir.

Following the king’s death, then-Princess Liliʻuokalani was forced to immediately ascend the throne as Queen despite her own wishes.

Throughout her short two-year reign, the Queen’s effort was directed toward regaining power for the Hawaiian monarchy.

On the morning of Jan. 14, 1893, the Queen informed her ministers of her plan to proclaim a new constitution.

After failing in the legislature later that day, the Queen made demands to move forward with her efforts. But when her political opponents found out, they declared she was “in revolution” and must be removed from office.

Following the wishes of two-thirds of her people, the Queen wanted to replace the constitution forced upon King Kalākaua at gunpoint which took away much of his power.

When she was informed that she had been deposed and a protest would only threaten the loss of life, Queen Liliʻuokalani yielded her authority to the United States government until the time when facts were proven and she be reinstated.

The Queen wrote to President Cleveland who then initiated an investigation which found that she was Hawaiʻi’s constitutional sovereign.

However, the Provisional Government ignored the orders of the United States and never restored the Queen.

Today, to many, the Hawaiian Kingdom still exists. Did you know? Now you do!