Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-11-12
Queen LiIiuOkaIani

ed, she would have been virile and a commanding
character in history, but the softer light which hat
played around this notable figure, this atmosphere
of sweetened, gracious old age, would have beer
missing.
And it is to the advantage of her race, to the en-
riching of Hawaiian history, that the queen hal
been spared SO long to live life which has repeat
edy given evidence that Hawaii's last queen came
through the tragedy of lost throne to reconcilia
ton with the territorial status of her beloved
islands.
When the United States entered the war fol
humanity, few months ago. the American flag was
flown from the staff at Washington Place. The
Stripes the pole of her palace grounds just fol-
years she refused to enter the capitol The age that
brought inward peace to her troubled heart brought
also reconciliation to the things that are, and hel
recent utterances have again and again signified
the entire cessation of opposition to the regime that
succeeded her own
About this figure there has been nimbus of pathos
which grew more marked as the years went on
Strangers of high and low degree have invariably
wished to see the queen, and have done her reyer
ence without the slightest faint of moe humility
lter quiet dignity and courtesy were unfailing com
handing respect quite sincere if she had been
upon throne Her public utterances, though few
have been notable for human sympathy and kindli,
ness. The last was given to the StarBulletin on
September /, the of her birthday. In this mes
sage she expressed sympathy for the sufferers of the
war, and spoke of Hawais readiness to extend aid
and relief Her benefactions have been as generous
as her means and resources would permit.
The story of the queens last days-yes, months
gave proof of the stanchness of her fiber. Her vital
lty was remarkable. That ringing motto, "Onipaa
(Be Steadfast) which was hers queen, she lived
up to as dying woman. The newspapers have rec,
orded something of the steadfastness with which she
held to the slender thread of life fact which char
acterizes her whole existence She had in her make
up material of courage, devotion and endurance
which do credit to the Hawaiian race
Liliuokalani, last of Hawaiian monarchs, will be
one of the outstanding figures of island dynasties
not only because she closed the period of regal rule
but because of her own qualities, even because of
some of her defects. It is not improbable that in
generations to come this queen and kamehameha l
will become the two leading figures of Hawaiis mon
archa history though her reign was very short in
deed We can see today how her figure has emerg.
ed from the storms of animosities and become sur
rounded with Difference and affection. Future read
ers will see her not only as queen in the midst of
political cOmbats, but who took her place
in the society of her time, after the abrogation of
her regal regime, and passed through life with an
actual Strengthening of valid claims to the respect
Of those around her.
They will see her not only as ruler whose open
moves toward absolutsm in government threatened
the constitutional rights of the people, but as a
artist, musician, afabIe and ac-
complished friend, gracious hostess and devoted
champion of her race. Long after her muchds,
cussed and muchopposed policies will have been for,
given as mistakes, her admirable traits will be re-
That varied estimates will be made of her is but
natural. 1t seems likely that even those who most
bitterly opposed her will find cause to soften their
judgments of two decades ago. 1t is obvious now,
as it has been for years, that the Hawaiian mon
archa regime had to pass had to give way that it's
structure and scope were unequal to the demands
which the evolution of the Pacific were making that
Hawaii territory of the United States is infn-
itey better off, and of infinitely more service to it's
people, than Hawaii as a monarchy. Yet there need
be yielding of belief this score to accord to
Hawaii's dead queen a tribute of admiration and
respect in which the hOstities of the past are for
ever buried and the many fine qualities of Liuoka-
lanI are forever enshrined.