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Kamehameha I (c. 1761 –1819) -

In 1810, Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule.

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A united realm -

As ruler, Kamehameha also took steps to ensure the islands remained a united realm after his death. He unified the legal system and promoted trade with Europe and the United States.

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Kamehameha II (1797–1824) -

Upon his death in 1819, Kamehameha I was succeeded by his son, Kamehameha II. At just 22 years of age, Kamehameha's power and influence was limited and his reign was largely controlled by Ka'ahumanu, the queen consort of his father.

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Queen Kamāmalu (1802–1824) -

Kamehameha II was married to Kamāmalu. She was one of four wives, but, as Kamehameha's favorite, Kamāmalu was anointed Queen Consort of the Hawaiian Islands, though Ka'ahumanu kept a watchful eye over them both.    

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Hawaiian royalty visits British royalty -

In 1823, Kamehameha II and Kamāmalu left the Sandwich Islands, as they were then known, for Great Britain, arriving there in May 1824 for a state visit with King George IV (pictured). The couple, the first Hawaiian monarchs to visit England, were fêted by London high society, with Kamāmalu in particular turning heads with her striking beauty and decorative turban headwear. But then tragedy struck.

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Tragic circumstances -

While in London, Kamāmalu contracted measles and died on July 8. Six days later, her grief-stricken husband also succumbed to the disease. Their bodies were placed in coffins and shipped back to Hawaii on HMS Blonde. Pictured in the 1850s is the original Royal Tomb at Pohukaina where the couple were interred. The bodies were later moved to the Royal Mausoleum in Nuʻuanu Valley on Oʻahu island.

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Kamehameha III (1814–1854) -

Kamehameha II was succeeded by his younger brother Kauikeaouli, who became King Kamehameha III in June 1825. He's pictured with Queen Kalama, along with his niece and nephews.

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Emergence of a constitutional monarchy -

Under Kamehameha III's reign, Hawaii evolved from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy with the signing of both the 1840 Constitution, which was the first Hawaiian Language Constitution, and the 1852 Constitution.

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The kingdom's longest-reigning monarch -

Kamehameha III was the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the kingdom, ruling for 29 years and 192 days. His desire was the careful balancing of modernization by adopting Western ways while keeping his nation intact.

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Kamehameha IV (1834–1863) -

Kamehameha III was succeeded in 1854 by his nephew and adopted son Alexander Liholiho, who was styled as King Kamehameha IV. Alexander expressed concern at the growing population and influence of Americans across the islands. His fears were well founded. During his reign, the annexation of Hawaii by the US was first mooted. The monarch was worried that Washington would make a move to conquer his nation.

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Seeking trade deals beyond the United States -

In an effort to limit Hawaii's dependence on American trade and commerce, Kamehameha IV sought deals with the British and other European governments. While he didn't live to long enough to make them, battle lines had been drawn.

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Kamehameha V (1830–1872) -

The kingdom's fifth monarch, Kamehameha V drew up the 1864 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It included article 62, which limited voters to being residents who passed a native literacy test and possessed property or had income qualifications.

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A revival of traditional customs -

Kamehameha V was the first king to encourage the revival of traditional practices, a move made in part to counter ever-increasing outside influence. Many Americans in Hawaii were convinced that he had adopted an anti-American policy.

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King Lunalilo (1835–1874) -

Kamehameha V died without naming a successor. With no heir at his death, the next monarch would be elected by the legislature. In 1873, William Charles Lunalilo ascended the throne by unanimous decision of the legislature of the kingdom. However, his reign was short-lived: Lunalilo died the following year from tuberculosis.

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The queen that wasn't -

Like his predecessor, Lunalilo did not designate an heir to the throne. He had nearly married Queen Dowager Emma, the widow of Kamehameha IV, and came close to naming her as heir apparent.

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King Kalākaua (1836–1891) -

Ultimately, King Kalākaua was elected to the vacant throne of Hawaii against Emma. Kalākaua, who loved singing and who played the ukulele, was known as the "Merrie Monarch" for his witty and convivial personality.

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Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 -

During Kalākaua's reign, relations between the islands and the United States actually warmed. The free trade agreement known as the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 was signed, which facilitated access to the US market for sugar and other products grown in the Kingdom of Hawaii.

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The US gains Pearl Harbor -

In return, Washington received a guarantee that Hawaii would not cede or lease any of its lands to other foreign powers. Crucially, the treaty allowed the United States to have exclusive use of Pearl Harbor.

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Anti-monarchist sentiment -

In the mid-1880s, the first cracks in the Kingdom of Hawaii appeared. Anti-monarchists wanted to strip the Hawaiian monarchy of much of its authority and initiate a transfer of power to a coalition of American, European, and Native Hawaiian people. The move was supported by members of the Hawaiian League, which had secretly desired the end of the kingdom and its annexation by the United States since its inception. The league's members included Hawaii-born lawyer and jurist Sanford B. Dole.

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The 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom -

In 1887, anti-monarchists prepared the 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It became known as the Bayonet Constitution for the uprising by the armed militia, which forced King Kalākaua to sign it or be deposed. Lorrin A. Thurston, the main instigator of the subsequent overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, prepared a list of demands to the king.

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Assassination fears -

Anticipating a coup d'état and even fearing assassination, Kalākaua sought refuge inside the ʻIolani Palace. The Bayonet Constitution allowed the monarch to appoint his cabinet, but placed that cabinet under the sole authority of the legislature.

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Sailing into exile -

On November 25, 1890, King Kalākaua (pictured in white slacks) sailed for California aboard the USS Charleston and effectively into exile. He died in San Francisco on January 20, 1891.

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Queen Liliʻuokalani (1838–1917) -

Kalākaua's sibling Queen Liliʻuokalani ascended to the throne on January 29, 1891, nine days after her brother's death. She immediately attempted to draft a new constitution that would restore the power of the monarchy and the voting rights of the economically disenfranchised. But the Kingdom of Hawaii was on borrowed time.

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The coup d'état -

Queen Liliʻuokalani's overtures set in motion the coup d'état her brother had feared. On January 16, 1893, a detachment of United States Marines from the USS Boston landed on Oahu under orders of "neutrality" and took up positions at the US Legation, consulate, and other strategic buildings.

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Liliʻuokalani ordered to relinquish her power -

Together with other pro-American elements, the Marines surrounded the royal palace and issued an ultimatum to the beleaguered monarch to relinquish her power and role as Queen of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The alternative was to have her subjects face violence at the hands of militia units aligned with the so-called Committee of Safety, led by Thurston.

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The queen is deposed -

On January 7, the Chairman of the Committee of Safety, Henry E. Cooper, addressed a crowd in front of the royal residence and read out loud a proclamation that formally deposed Queen Liliʻuokalani.

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Republic of Hawaii -

With the Hawaiian monarchy officially abolished, the Republic of Hawaii was declared. Sanford B. Dole became the territory's first president. He's pictured with his cabinet.

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Queen Liliʻuokalani is arrested -

A rebellion against the forces of the republic in January 1895 failed to restore the queen and the monarchy, and Lili'uokalani along with many others were arrested (pictured).

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Death of the last sovereign of Hawaii -

She was later imprisoned and formally abdicated her throne on January 24, 1895, in return for the release (and commutation of the death sentences) of her jailed supporters. Liliʻuokalan, the last sovereign of Hawaii, died on November 11, 1917.

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Hawaii formally annexed by the US -

On July 7, 1898, the Hawaiian Islands were were formally annexed by the United States. The resolution took effect on August 12 of that same year.

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Raising of the American flag -

During the formal handover marking the transfer of Hawaiian state sovereignty to the United States on the steps of the ʻIolani Palace in Honolulu, the Hawaiian flag was lowered and the American flag was raised in its place. Almost no Native Hawaiians attended the annexation ceremony. Hawaii became a US state in 1959.

Sources: (Royal House of Hawaii) (Nation of Hawai’i) (Go Hawaii)

See also: Aloha from Hawaii—postcards from the Pacific

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