King Kalakaua’s health began to decline steadily after the bitter betrayal of the haoles, who had once been his friends, advisors and members of his cabinet. Lili’uokalani said later that she thought the king grieved for the loss of his country and the legacy given to him by the great alii of the past. He went on another voyage to the United States, in the hopes that his health would improve. However, he died suddenly in San Francisco on January 20, 1891. No word of his passing had been received back home, but when the ship carrying his body rounded the point those gathered to welcome him home, saw that the flags of the ship were at half-mast. The festive decorations were quickly changed to ones of mourning.[1]
Crown Princess Lili’uokalani was rushed into taking the oath of office as soon as the cabinet had confirmation that the king was dead. She tried to protest that it should wait. She was still in shock, having just heard the news herself. She asked the advice of her husband, General John Dominis. He told her that she had to sign. She took the oath, only realizing later the trap they had laid, for with that oath, she pledged her allegiance to the Bayonet Constitution.[2]
Lili’uokalani’s reign lasted only two years. During that time she worked tirelessly for her people. She tried to heed the wise advice of Kamehameha the First, “To supply their needs but not increase their wants.” She was especially interested in anything to do with children or education. She supported the Lili’uokalani Educational Society, as well as sending many children to schools. At one time she held a lavish fancy dress ball for children. Other than that, she preferred simplicity to the gaudy ostentation of her brother.[3] Her husband, General John Owen Dominis died of pneumonia on August 27, 1891, depriving her of an advisor she could trust, just when she could have used it most.
Her reign was bedeviled by political problems. The legislature composed mainly of haole members of the “Missionary Party” repeatedly refused to approve her cabinet proposals.[4] In addition, the reciprocity treaty was abrogated and the new McKinley Tariff vastly reduced the profits of the sugar plantations, as well as other crops. There was talk of annexation again. Queen Lili’uokalani became convinced of the need for a new constitution which would restore power to the monarchy, which had been usurped by the Bayonet Constitution. She also felt that haole power needed to be reduced in order to preserve “Hawaii for Hawaiians.” In visits to her people throughout the countryside, she heard them express the same desires.[5]
[1] W.D. Alexander, A Brief History of the Hawaiian People, (American Book Company: New York, 1891) 309.
[2] Helena G. Allen, The Betrayal of Liliuokalani, Last Queen of Hawaii 1838-1917 (Arthur H. Clark Company: Glendale, 1982) 232.
[3] Allen, 262-263.
[4] Kathleen Dickenson Mellen, An Island Kingdom Passes (Hastings House: New York, 1958) 257.
[5] Allen, 259.
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