The Overthrow the Palace Still Remembers

January 17, 1893. American and European businessmen — sugar planters who'd grown wealthy under the Hawaiian monarchy — staged a coup against Queen Lili'uokalani with 162 U.S. Marines from the USS Boston anchored in Honolulu Harbor. The Queen yielded "until such time as the Government of the United States shall undo the action." The United States did not undo it. It annexed Hawaii five years later.

President Cleveland investigated and concluded it was illegal. Recommended restoration. Congress ignored him. The 1898 Newlands Resolution annexed Hawaii by joint resolution — the only time the US acquired territory without a treaty. The legal irregularity remains a live issue. In 1993, the Apology Resolution acknowledged the overthrow "occurred with active participation of agents and citizens of the United States" and that Hawaiians "never directly relinquished claims to sovereignty." The resolution apologized. It returned nothing.

Walking the grounds of 'Iolani Palace with this history changes everything about Honolulu. The beaches are still beautiful. The trade winds still blow. And the palace still stands on King Street holding a story that is not over.