Early on, while determining the focus of my project, I kept coming back to the annexation of Hawaii. I have had the opportunity to visit the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and have dreamed of visiting Hawaii. I am fascinated by the Native American Indian culture and wanted to learn more about the Native American’s in Hawaii. The more I read about manifest destiny and imperialism, the more determined I was to discover how the U.S. explored and acquired the Hawaii islands and why heated controversy surrounding the fall and overthrow of the Hawaiian empire remains today. Through my many sources and formats, I learned the Hawaiian people had a reigning sovereign queen with a rich culture in the arts, industry, religion and politics when the United States began the pathway towards annexation. I examined historical documents such as the Hawaiian Kingdom International Treaties, and read the words of queen Liliuokalani in books like Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen, written by Queen Liliuokalani herself. I interviewed Noenoe Silva, a professor at University of Hawai'i Indigenous Politic Program and author of Aloha Betrayed. interviews with authors and historians Sharon Linnea and Julia Flynn Siler added insight on the character and strength of the Hawaiian royal family. Many hours were spent reviewing newspapers and photographs archived on databases. Different timelines were evaluated and categorized as my website was organized and developed. Local public and school libraries were used and provided databases, and extensive research information and direction for the depth of my pages. I used a website format because this allowed the opportunity to present not only pictures and stories, but voices, viewpoints, and action in an interactive format. I picked out a dark blue water background because it places my websites pages firmly in the ocean like the islands I am studying. I used bold underlined title pages and buttons to efficiently guide my reader through the website. I began with a song by Hawaiian and activist, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole for the opening page. I chose a recorded video clip of the queen’s own powerful voice and protest to the American government against the provisional government imposed upon her people. I included an audio clip of music composed by the queen and the “Royal Anthem of Hawaii” by then Prince William Charles Lunalilo. All of the other audio and visual clips and photographs were carefully selected for their historical importance, original formats and accuracy. Imperialism and the reasons for exploration in Hawaii were complicated and have pros and cons. The United States gained great commercial and industrial advantages while the Hawaiian people were provided with a degree of economic stability and protection. It does not appear the encounters were mutually beneficial and the exchanges equitable for the Hawaiian people. A new government was established without the consent of the Hawaiian people. The indigenous people of Hawaii’s votes were either ignored or manipulated and the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands took place while queen Liliuokalani was cast aside and dethroned.