Book Review
Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen
By Queen Lili'uokalani
First published: 1898
Print length: 262 pages
Free download at archive.org.
The Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement: www.nationofhawaii.org
An audio version of this review is available at anchor.fm.
In 1893, Lili'uokalani, the Queen of Hawaii, was deposed and five years later her nation became an incorporated territory of the United States - admitted to the Union as the 50th state on August 21, 1959. Her autobiography covers from her birth in 1838, through the reigns of her forebears, to her own turbulent time as Queen of the Hawaiian Islands. Queen Lili'uokalani was the last reigning monarch of the kingdom of Hawaii. She ascended the throne in January of 1891, upon the death of her brother, King David Kalakaua. For years after her overthrow, the Queen sought redress in the Congress and courts of the United States, without success. She explained to the world the injustice of Hawaii's situation attempting to reclaim native sovereignty. Just as Admiral Thomas had restored Hawaiian sovereignty in 1843 following an illegal action by Lord Paulet, Queen Lil'uokalani prayed that the American nation would also re-establish the Hawaiian throne. Queen Lili'uokalani died on November 11, 1917, her plea for justice unanswered.
Queen Lili'uokalani composed the song "Aloha'Oe" while under house arrest at the Iolani Palace.
The Hawaiian sovereignty movement views her book as a key source documenting the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.
Although written more the a century ago, this book is still very popular. Amazon ranks it #94 in the category "Biographies of Royalty". Customer Reviews rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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