Republic of Hawaii

Hawaii was an independent State prior to its annexation in 1898. In 1858 the Kingdom of Hawaii asked to become part of the United States but was refused.

On 14 January 1893, a group composed of Americans and Europeans formed a Committee of Safety seeking to overthrow the Hawaiian Kingdom, depose the Queen, and seek annexation to the United States.

The Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii was deposed on 17 January 1893 and replaced by a Provisional Government composed of members of the Committee of Safety.

The Constitution of 1894, prepared by Sanford Ballard Dole and Lorrin A. Thurston was declared to be law of the land effective July 4, 1894 by proclamation and Dole became the President of this Republic. The Republic of Hawaii was recognized by the United States government as a protectorate.

The Republic of Hawaii functioned for four years until annexation was finally accomplished under the administration of a new US President, Republican William McKinley who signed the Join Resolution of Annexation on July 7, 1898.

Hawaii became an incorporated territory of the United States during the Spanish American War and took control of the 1,200,000 acres (4,900 km2) of land that formerly was held in trust by the monarchy and known as Crown Land.

In 1993, a joint Apology Resolution regarding the overthrow was passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton, apologizing for the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Republic of Hawaii