Started reading this after visiting the Palace in Hawaii. I knew Liliuokalani had been deposed, but I didn't realize she had been held captive. She wrote very well, and I learned a lot of Hawaiian history. ( )

Part autobiography, part political history, Queen Lili‘uokalani’s Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen Liliuokalani tells her story and that of Hawai‘i from her youth through the time of her publication in 1898. The overall impression the reader receives is of a monarchy very similar to those throughout Europe, especially when Queen Lili‘uokalani details her journey to England for Queen Victoria’s jubilee. While these personal stories and travelogues add context, the bulk of the narrative deals with the Hawaiian monarchy and the manner in which American planters subverted it.
Writing of Kalakaua and the slanders that followed him, Queen Lili‘uokalani states, “The conclusion cannot be avoided, that if my brother had indeed sought his own pleasure rather than the good of all residents under our flag, his family would be in their hereditary rights to this day. By his liberality to those of American birth he inaugurated the treaty of reciprocity; … and he thus devoted the earlier part of his reign to the aggrandizement of the very persons, who, as soon as they had become rich and powerful, forgot his generosity, and plotted a subversion of his authority, and an overthrow of the constitution under which the kingdom had been happily governed for nearly a quarter of a century” (pg. 96). As to the American planters themselves, Queen Lili‘uokalani writes, “As they became wealthy, and acquired titles and lands through the simplicity of our people and their ignorance of value and of the new land laws, their greed and their love of power proportionately increased; and schemes for aggrandizing themselves still further, or for avoiding the obligations which they had incurred to us, began to occupy their minds” (pg. 209). She adds, “It may be true that they really believed us unfit to be trusted to administer the growing wealth of the Islands in a safe and proper way. But if we manifested any incompetency, it was in not foreseeing that they would be bound by no obligations, by honor, or by oath of allegiance, should an opportunity arise for seizing our country, and bringing it under the authority of the United States” (pg. 210).
One of the first efforts of the American planters to assume control over the monarchy resulted in the so-called Bayonet Constitution (1887). Of the king’s singing it, Queen Lili‘uokalani writes, “It may be asked, ‘Why did the king give them his signature?’ I answer without hesitation, because he had discovered traitors among his most trusted friends and knew not in whom he could trust; and because he had every assurance, short of actual demonstration, that the conspirators were ripe for revolution, and had taken measures to have him assassinated if he refused” (pg. 212). Queen Lili‘uokalani details her ascent to the throne and short reign, followed by her forced abdication. She denies the charges of American planters that it was by her choice, but writes, “For myself, I would have chosen death rather than to have signed it; but it was represented to me that by my signing this paper all the persons who had been arrested [attempting to restore the monarchy], all my people now in trouble by reason of their love and loyalty towards me, would be immediately released” (pg. 316).
Judge Thomas K. Kaulukukui Jr., Judge Patrick K.S.L. Yim, and Dr. Claire L. Asam, the board of trustees of the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust, conclude, “While it may appear to the modern reader simply as a ‘memoir’ of Hawai‘i’s last monarch, the objective of the book was not to be a bittersweet life story of a deposed monarch, but rather to build a case against the American League in Hawai‘i; to examine and expose the matter of American intervention into Hawaiian politics; and to present a plea to Americans in general, and to members of the U.S. Congress in particular, to consider the retention of Hawaiian sovereignty, rather than proceeding with the annexation of the Islands by the United States” (pg. xv). This narrative forces Americans to reexamine American imperialism and how it subverted our national principles. The annotated edition of Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen Liliuokalani, published by the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust and Hui Hānai features extensive notes and photographs of the queen and those around her, further adding to this volume’s use as a primary source. ( )

“Lunalilo Home for aged and indigent Hawaiians… It is well managed, and its inmates are happy and contented, so much so, indeed, that they often conduct themselves as if youth and hope were still their portion, and from the sympathy of daily companionship they wish to enter the closer tie of matrimony. This they are permitted to do without severing their connection with the institution, and there is a separate department provided for those who have thus agreed to finish the journey of life together.” (page 42)

“This is an important page in Hawaiian history, because it shows how persistently, even at that date, the “missionary party” was at work to undermine at every point the authority of the constitutional rulers of the Hawaiian people.” (page 77-78)

Could it be possible, I thought, that a son of one of my early instructors, the child of such a lovely and amiable Christian mother, could so far forget the spirit of that religion his parents taught, and be so carried away with political passion, as to be guilty of murder? (page 183)

For while this was going on in the city, another missionary boy rode out to the country residence of Mr. Gibson, at Kapiolani Park, and entering abruptly into the presence of his daughter, Mrs. Hayselden, threw a lasso over her head… (page 183)

Queen Liliuokalani decided not to fight against the missionary party. They took away King Kalakaua on a boat, they returned with a dead body. Missionary churches and plantations owned by missionary party families still thrive on many islands. They betrayed her in many different ways. Queen Liliuokalani shares her perspective of worldly concerns and personal opinions of others, providing a detailed recollection of Hawaii. ( )

If you read the Tuttle (1964) edition of Hawaii's Story you are treated to many black and white photographs. Two in particular really stand out to me - one of a woman and one of a man in royal garb. Your eyes are instantly drawn to the one of the woman, Liliuokalani. She is a striking, posed in an amazing dress and sash.
I have to start off by saying Liliuokalani's story opened my eyes to a completely different culture. For starters, I thought it strange that immediately after birth Liliuokalani would be adopted by another chief and that adoption was political as well as strategic, "...alliance by adoption cemented the ties of friendship between the chiefs..." (p 4). Go figure.
Liliuokalani's story is not without its soap opera moments either. Her brother was to be married until the bride decided she wanted to marry a cousin...until the cousin lays eyes on Liliuokalani...In all actuality Lilioukalani's story is political to the bone. It is a detailed account of the decline of a kingdom that had existed for hundreds of years. Lilioukalani uses her ability to write as a vehicle for pleading with President Cleveland to preserve the monarchy. You can hear Lilioukalani's pride, defiance, and even anger as she carefully tells the story of her people. ( )

Fascinating story by a fascinating Lady. Although the names of all the Hawaiian chiefs is difficult to follow along with a complex method of passing the crown, it is a good study of how a small country can be swindled of of everything of value. As you read this, you also may be vividly reminded of the fable of the Camel that got into the tent. Liliuokalani's belief in the power of devine rule and her naivete also helped in the downfall of a race and the eventual overthrow of the monarchy. Definitely a book to be read. ( )