Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-30
HAwAITs POLITICAL HISTORY.
How the Islands Have Been Governed in
the Past.

HOW the ISLANDS Have Been Governed In
the Past.
The Hawaiian Islands were united into one
kingdom early in the present century under
Kamehameha l. After this monarch ruled
Kamehameha II, who died in England in 1928.
Under Kamehamehs Ill the integrity OF the
kingdom was recognized by the United States.
England and France. Kamehameha III gave
his subjects a constitution in 1910, which was
revised and extended in 1852. A nephew,
Kamehamehs ", succeeded to the throne and
after ruled the fourth kings brother Kane
hameha V, who in 1864. proclaimed a revised
constitution.
With the death Of the fifth Kamehameha in
1872 the royal line which had been in power
since Capt. Cook discovered the islands, in l77s,
became extinct. Lunalilo was elected king.
Kalakaua wanted to be king, but he received no
votes. He reigned year. The Americans
brought forth Kalakaua as a candidate for the
Office and he was elected. There was a lively
contest. The election was held in February.
1874. A mob surrounded the legislative hall
and declared that they would not accept Kala-
kaua rs king il he were elected. There were
few heads broken and the instruction was
quelled; but the king was never popular with
the natives.
Kalakaua was as entertaining ,iovial and careless
spendthrift as ever sat on throne and made
ducks and brakes Of the finances Of his country.
In 1887 halt was called. A new constitu-
ton was forced upon the king. That took
pretty much all his power from him. He
couldn't handle tine finances which was a great
blow to him. He almost lost his throne. There
was movement in that direction, but 1t WAS
not carried out. He had proclaimed his sister
regent, and few energetic spirits like r. W.
Wilcox wanted him out of the way and his sis
ter placed on the throne. But it didn't amount
to much.
The king liked to go calling on other kings
and he was fond of coming to the United
1881. and his body was taken to Honolulu on
the flagship Charleston. in great state.
His sister, the regent. succeeded him on the
throne in February, 1891, as Queen Liliuka-
lani, pronounced Ll-lee-woke-a-lany. Before
that she was known as Mrs. Dominis. the wife
Of John Owen Dominis, formerly of Boston,
who had prospered in business and politics in
Honolulu and who became H. r. H.. the Prince
Consort. The queen had residence much
finer than the White House in Washington and
An income of 800, 900 a year. But she had
stormy reign. The Americans in the kingdom
hold the balance of power. They have two
great desires. One is to get rich, and the other
is to see the country annexed to the United
States.
The Americans there have dreamed for years
OF annexing the islands to the United States.
The islands were offered to this country about
OF annexation at the time. But it died out and
the islands have been left pretty much to them
selves until q year or two ago. when talk of an
nexation was revived. The native Hawaiians,
1t is said, don't want annexation and the for
eiSn residents not Americans are of course OPP
posed to il.
Another thing which induces the Americans
to favor annexation is the wretched condition Of
the national finances. Hawaii's finances are in
better condition than during the reign OF King
halakaua. but they are still bad enough. The
national debt is 50, 500 600, and the assessable
value of property in all the islands is estimated
at SiO, 1000, or about two-thirds of its actual
value The debt bears interest at per cent.
1t is said that If annexation comes about real
estate will advance at least SO per cent.
AN ATTEMPTED REVOLUTION.
For more than year there have been con-
slant stories about crises in the Hawaiian gov
eminent. Every steamer from Honolulu has
brought the tale that the kingdom was on the
verge of an outbreak. About the middle of
May last there an incipient revolution
Just about the time it was to break out Admiral
Brown landed 325 men from the San Francisco
for a short drill and the revolution ended
Marshal Wilson arrested about two dozen OF
the consplrators, among whom was Wilcox, the
ex-base bail player, who was said to be the
leading spirit of the Instruction Wilson is a
Tahitian and is known as king Bolabola''
There were trials in which it impossible
TO convict any one OF treason. Then an cleo
ton was ordered. 1t was said that there would
be war. The army had been increased to 200.
and everything seemed ready for a bloody
struggle. But there was no war. new min
istry came into power on November 9 last, and
1t was said that there was Joy and happiness in
Hawaii. Then came frequent stories that the
queen was on the verge of death. But she has
lived long enough to be dethroned.