Hawaii's Last Queen: Sugar Kings and America's First Imperial Adventure

Hawaii, with its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and rich cultural history, has captured the hearts of many travelers looking for a tropical paradise. However, beyond its breathtaking beauty lies a complex story of Hawaii's last queen, the sugar kings, and America's first imperial adventure. Join us as we delve into this captivating tale that shaped the fate of this Pacific island nation.

The Rise of the Sugar Kings

The 19th century witnessed the rapid growth of Hawaii's sugar industry, transforming the islands' economy and society. Wealthy American entrepreneurs, known as the sugar kings, established large plantations and brought in thousands of laborers from Asia to work the fields. These plantation owners held immense power and influence, shaping the political landscape of Hawaii.

A Queen's Determination

Queen Liliuokalani ascended to the throne in 1891, determined to protect the rights and sovereignty of her people. Facing mounting pressure from the sugar kings and American businessmen seeking to exploit Hawaii's resources, the Queen sought to regain authority over her kingdom. However, her efforts were met with resistance, as influential figures within the sugar industry saw their profits threatened.

Lost Kingdom: Hawaii's Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America's First Imperial Adventure

by Julia Flynn Siler(Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2513 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	449 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy

In 1893, a group of powerful American businessmen, supported by the United States Marines, orchestrated a coup d'état against Queen Liliuokalani. The Queen was deposed, and a provisional government was established with American businessmen at the helm. This marked the beginning of America's first imperial adventure, as the United States recognized and supported the new regime.

Annexation and Statehood

Following the overthrow of the monarchy, efforts for the annexation of Hawaii began. Despite strong opposition from Queen Liliuokalani and native Hawaiians, the United States eventually annexed Hawaii in 1898. The islands were no longer an independent kingdom but instead became a U.S. territory. It wasn't until 1959 that Hawaii gained statehood and became the 50th state of the United States.

Legacy and Cultural Resilience

Despite the turmoil, the Hawaiian people have demonstrated remarkable resilience in preserving their cultural heritage. Today, the descendants of the original settlers of Hawaii continue to celebrate their traditions, language, and arts. The legacy of Hawaii's last queen and the struggle against imperial powers serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural identity and the continuous fight for self-determination.

Hawaii's last queen, the sugar kings, and America's first imperial adventure are intricately intertwined chapters in the island's history. Understanding the complexities of this period allows us to appreciate the resilience of the Hawaiian people and their ongoing efforts to preserve their cultural identity. As we bask in the beauty of Hawaii's breathtaking landscapes, it is crucial to acknowledge and reflect upon the deep-rooted history that led to its present state.

Lost Kingdom: Hawaii's Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America's First Imperial Adventure

by Julia Flynn Siler(Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2513 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	449 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The New York Times–bestselling author delivers “a riveting saga about Big Sugar flexing its imperialist muscle in Hawaii . . . A real gem of a book” (Douglas Brinkley, author of American Moonshot).
 
Deftly weaving together a memorable cast of characters, Lost Kingdom brings to life the clash between a vulnerable Polynesian people and relentlessly expanding capitalist powers. Portraits of royalty and rogues, sugar barons, and missionaries combine into a sweeping tale of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s rise and fall.
 
At the center of the story is Lili‘uokalani, the last queen of Hawai‘i. Born in 1838, she lived through the nearly complete economic transformation of the islands. Lucrative sugar plantations gradually subsumed the majority of the land, owned almost exclusively by white planters, dubbed the “Sugar Kings.” Hawai‘i became a prize in the contest between America, Britain, and France, each seeking to expand their military and commercial influence in the Pacific.
 
The monarchy had become a figurehead, victim to manipulation from the wealthy sugar plantation owners. Lili‘u was determined to enact a constitution to reinstate the monarchy’s power but was outmaneuvered by the United States. The annexation of Hawai‘i had begun, ushering in a new century of American imperialism.
 
“An important chapter in our national history, one that most Americans don’t know but should.” —The New York Times Book Review
 
“Siler gives us a riveting and intimate look at the rise and tragic fall of Hawaii’s royal family . . . A reminder that Hawaii remains one of the most breathtaking places in the world. Even if the kingdom is lost.” —Fortune
 
“[A] well-researched, nicely contextualized history . . . [Indeed] ‘one of the most audacious land grabs of the Gilded Age.’” —Los Angeles Times