The controversial invasion of Hawaii in 1893 and annexation of Hawaii in 1898, extended the United States territory into the Pacific. This governmental encounter resulted in economic and territorial growth for the United States. This exchange of power left many people wondering if it was a legal acquisition or just an overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani and dictation upon the Republic of Hawaii. History indicates it was contrary to the will of the protesting native Hawaiians as they tried to prevent annexation. Queen Liliuokalani stated she "surrendered Hawai`i's sovereignty to the superior force of the United States of America" in the exchange for temporary peace and future reconciliation and restoration of her throne. Her misguided confidence of being reunited to rule her kingdom was never realized and controversy surrounds the national identity and economic policies in Hawaii today.
Image "Hawaiian flag and Baptism of Kalanimoku" courtesy of Journal of traveling around world of Madame Rose de Saulces de Freycinet (1794-1832)
Image "Raising of American Flag" Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Archives (1898)
Beginning in the early 1800’s, Hawaiian rulers trusted missionaries and were baptized and converted to the Christian faith. By 1898 Christian missionaries were imbedded in Hawaiian politics and wrongly influenced and seized the state of Hawaii with unethical and self-serving tactics.