Hawaiian Monarchs

Why This Matters

The Hawaiian monarchs weren't just rulers—they were navigators of one of history's most dramatic cultural collisions. Understanding their reigns means understanding how a unified island kingdom adapted to Western contact, fought to preserve sovereignty, and ultimately lost political independence while maintaining cultural resilience. You're being tested on how each monarch responded to the central tensions of their era: tradition versus modernization, sovereignty versus foreign influence, and cultural preservation versus forced change.

Don't just memorize names and dates. Know what each monarch represents in the broader arc of Hawaiian history. When you see a question about constitutional development, land reform, or the overthrow, you should immediately connect it to the specific ruler whose policies shaped that outcome. The monarchs are your roadmap through Hawaiian political and cultural transformation.

---

Unification and Foundation (1795–1824)

The Kingdom of Hawaii didn't exist until one aliʻi (chief) possessed the vision, military strategy, and political skill to unite independent island chiefdoms into a single nation. This foundational period established the governance structures and international relationships that would define the kingdom.

Kamehameha I (The Great)

• Unified the Hawaiian Islands by 1810—the only ruler to bring all major islands under one government through both conquest and diplomacy
• Kānāwai Māmalahoe (Law of the Splintered Paddle) established protections for civilians, demonstrating early codified law and mālama (care) for the people
• Strategic foreign trade relationships brought Western weapons and goods while maintaining Hawaiian control over commerce and sovereignty

Kamehameha II (Liholiho)

• Abolished the kapu system in 1819—a revolutionary break with traditional religious and social restrictions, occurring just before missionary arrival
• ʻAi noa (free eating) allowed men and women to dine together, symbolizing the broader dismantling of sacred prohibitions
• Died in England in 1824 during a diplomatic visit, demonstrating both the kingdom's international ambitions and vulnerability to foreign diseases

---

Constitutional Development and Land Reform (1825–1863)

As Western influence intensified, Hawaiian monarchs faced impossible choices: adopt foreign legal systems to gain international legitimacy, or risk losing sovereignty entirely. This era transformed Hawaii from a traditional kingdom into a constitutional monarchy with codified property rights.

Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli)

• First Hawaiian constitution (1840) established a constitutional monarchy with a legislature, making Hawaii internationally recognized as a legitimate nation-state
• Great Māhele (1848) fundamentally restructured land ownership, dividing lands among the crown, government, chiefs, and commoners—with devastating long-term consequences for Native Hawaiian land retention
• Public education system promoted literacy and Hawaiian-language instruction, reflecting commitment to an educated citizenry

Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho)

• Queen's Hospital (1859) addressed the health crisis devastating Native Hawaiians, particularly from introduced diseases like smallpox and measles
• Anglican Church establishment offered an alternative to American Protestant missionaries, asserting religious independence
• Pro-British orientation sought to balance American influence by cultivating relationships with European powers

---

Hawaiian Nationalism and Cultural Revival (1863–1891)

As foreign populations grew and economic power shifted to sugar planters, later monarchs fought to reassert Hawaiian identity and royal authority. This period represents conscious resistance to the erosion of Native Hawaiian political and cultural power.

Kamehameha V (Lot Kapuāiwa)

• Constitution of 1864 strengthened monarchical power by eliminating the requirement for cabinet approval, asserting Hawaiian self-determination
• "Hawaii for Hawaiians" philosophy prioritized Native Hawaiian welfare and resisted foreign political influence
• Last of the Kamehameha line—died without an heir in 1872, ending the dynasty that had ruled since unification

Lunalilo

• First elected monarch (1873)—chosen by popular vote when the Kamehameha line ended, demonstrating democratic elements within the monarchy
• Lunalilo Home (established by his will) provided care for elderly and destitute Native Hawaiians, reflecting his concern for makaʻāinana (common people)
• Reign lasted only one year before his death from tuberculosis, leaving unfinished reforms and another succession crisis

Kalākaua

• "Merrie Monarch" revived hula and traditional arts that missionaries had suppressed, sponsoring competitions and public performances
• ʻIolani Palace (1882) showcased Hawaiian sovereignty with electric lights and telephones before the White House had them
• Bayonet Constitution (1887) was forced upon him by American businessmen, stripping the monarchy of power and disenfranchising most Native Hawaiians and Asians

---

Resistance and Overthrow (1891–1893)

The final chapter of the Hawaiian monarchy centers on one woman's attempt to restore constitutional governance and the illegal intervention that ended Hawaiian independence. This period remains central to contemporary sovereignty discussions.

Liliʻuokalani

• First and only reigning queen (mōʻī wahine)—ascended in 1891 after Kalākaua's death, determined to restore monarchical authority
• Proposed new constitution would have reversed the Bayonet Constitution and restored voting rights to Native Hawaiians—this attempt triggered the coup
• Overthrown January 17, 1893 by American businessmen backed by U.S. Marines; she yielded to avoid bloodshed, later writing "Hawaiʻi's Story by Hawaiʻi's Queen" documenting the illegal seizure

---

Quick Reference Table

---

Self-Check Questions

1. Which two monarchs strengthened the power of the monarchy through constitutional changes, and how did their approaches differ?

2. Compare the cultural impacts of Kamehameha II and Kalākaua—one dismantled traditional practices while the other revived them. What does this contrast reveal about Hawaiian responses to Western contact?

3. If asked to explain how Native Hawaiians lost land ownership despite the Great Māhele's intention to grant them property rights, which monarch's reign would you discuss and why?

4. Identify the monarch whose actions most directly led to the 1893 overthrow. What specific policy triggered the coup, and what was its goal?

5. Compare Lunalilo and Liliʻuokalani as monarchs who prioritized the welfare of common Hawaiians. How did their methods and circumstances differ?