Hawaii's story by Hawaii Queen is a historical autobiography that tells the story of Hawaii in a very interesting way. The book provides very vital information about the Hawaii to its readers. The book carries some very significant and exclusive information because it is written by the queen of Hawaii, Liliuokalani herself. She has beautifully and profoundly discussed her childhood, her upbringing, her youth, family life, her succession to the throne, oust from the monarchy and several other aspects of her life as Hawaiian queen. Queen Liliuokalani also discusses about other kings, queens and informs about several aspects of their personal and public life. There are total 57chapters in the book that gives very useful information about the Hawaii, queen and her family to the readers. Hawaii's story by Hawaii Queen was published in the year 1898and in the same year Hawaii was officially taken in the American possession. This paper discusses the book ‘Hawaii’s story by Hawaii queen’ and all other related aspects of the subject matter.
Queen Liliuokalani is the last monarch of Hawaii. Queen Liliuokalani succeeded the crown after the death of King David Kalakaua in the year, 1891. During the year, 1893 her rule and realm was ousted with the proxy consent of the United States of America. Queen Liliuokalani was arrested and was sent into the house arrest at Iolani Palace. Later on, the queen was compelled to step down from her empire. Hawaii was made the colony of the United States; it was no more a monarchy and Queen Liliuokalani was no more a queen. Queen knew the fact that the US had extended its support to the people who tried to overthrow her and they succeeded due to the support of America only. She also made appeals to the American government to reinstate her and there was a full-time discussion on the issue in the congress but the American government refused to interfere on the issue, saying that they had no direct or indirect role in her ousts.
This book is regarded as the official and true account of obliteration of Hawaiian monarchy. Apart from this, the book provides some much selected information which would not have been revealed if the book was not written by the queen Liliuokalani herself. The book portrays an out of the ordinary picture of the Hawaiian society in the nineteenth century. The book clues the readers in about the functioning of the Hawaiian government, their internal and external policies along with other official visits of imperial guests to Hawaii. The author has also mentioned about her trips to other countries. She has mentioned about a trip to England where she was welcomed and given a royal treatment by the queen Victoria and other officials of the royal palace. Queen Liliuokalani seems to very happy with the treatment of English royal family while mentioning and remembering the incident. She praises the etiquettes of English people and thanks them for accepting her as their guest.
Queen Liliuokalani also mentions about American businessmen’s intention and effort to overthrow her from her kingdom in detail. She writes that initially they mingled with her brother and Hawaiian King, David Kalakaua and tried to convince him for signing some documents and but he refused. They compelled the king for signing bayonet constitution which was intended to diminish the powers of the crown. Later on the king David Kalakaua was found dead in suspect full conditions. Queen Liliuokalani reveals that when she tried to amend and re-draft the constitution, she was not allowed to do so by the opponents. They took steps to stop her from doing anything, and later on she was overthrown from her kingdom. In the year 1893, Monarchy was turned into republic of Hawaii and this way Americans succeeded in their intentions.
Queen Liliuokalani was removed from the palace and was arrested later on for having a huge cache of weapons in her garden. Queen Liliuokalani was disappointed and frustrated with the attitude of Americans. She also made an appeal to American government to reinstate her and the matter was discussed in the congress but her request was turned down. The queen Liliuokalani appears to be a very straightforward and kind woman who has the tendency to forgive others for their wrongs. Although there is a doubt that she forgave Americans for what they did to her. Queen was released in the year, 1996 and started living in her house, Washington house. She died in the year 1917 following a stroke.
After having observed the abovementioned detailed analysis of the book, Hawaii's story by Hawaii Queen Liliuokalani, it is good to conclude that the book is well written and very useful piece of historical autobiography. The author of this book has taken all the care in respect of facts while presenting it before the readers. What I believe is that the book is very useful for the readers of two categories, first is the category of the people who love Hawaii or want to know about Hawaii and secondly the book is useful for those who are interested in the international relations. The readers of second category will come to know about the American imperialism and also about their tactics to take any territory into their possession. Americans played a very smart game in this episode, they kept denying their role in the whole state of affairs but when it came to take control over the Hawaii, they took no time and without any hesitation annexed the Hawaii in American territory. Other people who may find the book useful are students of Christianity, gender studies and those who are interested in racial studies.
Several people say that the book is not written by the queen or it is an effort to gain sympathy of the world against US for her oust from the Hawaiian kingdom. If we can overlook all these things, the book amounts to be a true account of Hawaiian social life. It informs us about almost every aspect of the Hawaiian life and region. The book is written with the intention to educate the readers about Hawaii in a complete way. Since the book is written by the queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii, it of course covers all the exclusive information which was otherwise not possible for a common writer. Due to its significant relevance, the book is still read and liked by a huge of number of readers even after more than hundred years of its publication.
The book seems to be very persuasive and true to life considering the personality of the Hawaiian queen Liliuokalani and Americans imperialistic policies. Queen has expressed the things, facts and figures in a very genuine way and there is no any reason why she should not be believed. The annexation of Hawaii by the United States of America in the year 1898 proves the queen right and corroborates her part. On the other hand, Americans are always in search of the opportunities and wherever they get scope, they start playing their game as they played in the Hawaiian region. Hawaii is not the first case, where they used the tricks but they are doing the same thing in Iraq, Afghanistan and several other parts of the world.
I believe that this book has contributed a lot in my existing knowledge about the Hawaii. I came to know about the American imperialism and how they annexed Hawaii in the American territory. After reading the book I find myself able to analyze American policies at several other parts of the world. The book also enriched my knowledge about the Hawaiian queen, kings and several other aspects of their personal and social life. I found the book very informative as it educates me about the social life of Hawaii.
After reading this book, several questions came to my mind out of curiosity. I want to know the hidden agenda of Americans behind taking control over the Hawaii and also I would like to know that why the world has not opposed the moves of united states of America. If other countries of the world would have interfered or opposed the moves of America perhaps the annexation of Hawaii could have prevented. Why the people of Hawaii did not revolt against the Americans, were they suffering in the hands of Hawaiian monarchy.
The book left me with a number of questions and these questions could be used for further research. These questions include the social, economic, educational changes in the life of Hawaiians in the era of monarchy and what change did they feel after American annexation. Why the transfer of the reign happened so silently. What changes were observed in the foreign policies of other countries after the tricky control over Hawaii by United States of America? How did America manage to keep the Hawaiians calm during the transfer of rule?
I am amazed after reading this book and I want others also to read the book. I would recommend this book to others because what I feel about book is that it is a very well written book. Facts, figures and circumstances are accurately mentioned by the author in the book without any manipulation. The book is very educative and provides us crucial information about Hawaiian region. It informs and addresses the social and geographical status of Hawaiian region. The book informs about socio economic structure of the Hawaiian society in a very clear manner. Apart from the Hawaiian scenario, the book also educates about the racial and gender discriminations which are a significant aspect of the study. The book educates and clues me in about the contemporary foreign policies. It educates how the foreign policies were designed to fulfill the expansion plans. The pol.icy of America in this regard was effective enough that nobody came forward to oppose the Americans when they took control over Hawaiian region.
Work Cited
Liliuokalani. Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen. Maryland: Wildside Press LLC, 1898.
