Hawaiian Loyalist Rally
Committed to Hawaiian Independence

“As long as there remains Hawaiians loyal to the principles of our right to govern ourselves, we will protest any taking of Hawai`i by a foreign government,” James Kaulia, President of Hui Aloha`aina declared in 1897. On November 22, 1997, Iolani Palace will provide the backdrop for a mass rally of Hawaiian loyalists to recall Kaulia’s words one hundred years ago. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m and continue until 4:00 p.m. The public is invited. Sacred Times and Sacred Places is the organizing entity, a coalition of individuals and organizations committed to maintaining the Hawaiian national consciousness by identifying and observing historic times and places of Hawai`i. This event will combine the earlier scheduled observation of the massive October 1897 rally with the November departure of four Hawaiian emissaries to the United States to plead the case for continued independence. The earlier observation was postponed due to expected bad weather.

In 1897, Hawai`i and the United States of America had been in a turmoil debating the question of Hawai`i’s future of independence or a colony of the United States of America. The vast majority of Hawaiian nationals were against colonization proposed by a treaty of annexation entered into between the Republic of Hawai`i and the United States of America. That Republic of Hawai`i did not have the support of the Hawaiian citizens. They were placed in power as a direct result of the United States military intervention resulting in the overthrow of the Hawaiian constitutional monarchy in 1893. Hawaiians condemned the steps subsequently taken by the United States in attempting to now annex Hawai`i through the sham government created as a result of that U.S. invasion.

Rallies had been held in Hawai`i and a petition drive collecting almost 40,000 names protested the treaty signed between the Republic of Hawai`i and the United States. The final decision would be made in the U.S. Senate, whether or not to ratify the treaty. Four men carried the Hawaiian protest against annexation to the United States Senate. The protests were in the form of a Memorial setting forth the earlier rally’s formal objection and the petitions of the people.

The four men were Colonel John Richardson, close confidant to Queen Lili`uokalani, former Kuhina nui and member of the House of Nobles and House of Representatives from Maui, William Auld, high priest of Hale Naua, the secret society of Kalakaua, who officiated at the King’s funeral and led the burial procession to Mauna`ala, James Kaulia, President of Hui Aloha`aina and David Kalauokalani, President of Hui Kalai`aina, the later two organizations, along with the women’s auxiliary of Hui Aloha`aina representing the vast majority of Hawaiian nationals.

Secrecy encircled the debate in the U.S. Senate. The general public and the media had no access to the Senate floor. The four Hawaiian emissaries, however, gained entrance through the good office of Senator R. F. Pettigrew who had recently visited Hawai`i. There, these four were able to introduce the Memorial of 1897 as well as the petitions they carried. By early December, it was obvious the treaty was stalled in the Senate. A headcount taken in February 1898 showed the treaty did not have enough votes to pass.

The 4 emissaries returned to Hawai`i triumphant, having turned back the empire building forces within the United States. But it was short-lived.

During the year while the Hawai`i question was debated, another major issue drew the attention of the American public and the government, the claim of abuse by the Spaniards in Cuba. Americans intent on controlling or at minimum stopping countries outside of the American hemisphere from maintaining control over countries within the hemisphere carried on a publicity campaign against Spain. In December, 1897, it sent the U.S. Battleship Maine to Havana Harbor to “protect U.S. citizens and property.”

The battleship exploded in the harbor, sinking and killing 260 aboard. The yellow journalism of the William Randolph Hearst newspaper chain inflamed the American public against the Spaniards with the accusation of sabotage. (In 1969, the U.S. Navy determined that the Maine was sunk by a defective boiler exploding.) The U.S. demanded immediate withdrawal of Spain from Cuba. Congress affirmed Cuba’s independence and stated that the U.S. was not acting to secure an empire.

American newspapers used the sinking of the Maine to fan the flames of war. In March, the U.S. demanded Spain get out of Cuba. On April 20, 1898, the U.S. declared war with Spain. U.S. Captain Dewey sailed to Manila Harbor and sank a Spanish fleet on May 1.

Within 4 days, Representative Frances Newlands introduced a joint resolution of annexation in the House of Representatives. It passed out of the House and sent to the Senate. A filibuster was attempted by the opponents to annexation but the fervor of war was too overpowering. The Senate passed the joint resolution 42 for, 21 against, 6 others present but not voting. The resolution was signed by McKinley on 7 July 1898 declaring Hawai`i annexed to the United States of America. On the 12th of August, ceremonies of sovereignty transfer took place in Hawai`i.

Cleveland wrote: Hawai`i is ours. As I look back upon the first steps in this miserable business, and as I contemplate the means used to complete the outrage, I am ashamed of the whole affair.

By the end of the short American war with Spain, the U.S. emerged as a world empire having taken Hawai`i, Guam, Phillippines, Puerto Rico, Wake Island and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, effectively controlling Cuba.

The November 22, 1997 rally at `Iolani Palace will remember the events in Hawai`i as well as those occurring around the world at the time. Speakers will also address the issue of annexation from a contemporary view, considering specific areas of the question such as international law of decolonization, U.S. militarism in Hawai`i, environmental impacts from annexation, and the economic burdens of our connection with the United States.

For further information, contact Lynette Cruz at 734-8269 or Poka Laenui at 696-5157.