Hawaii’s Last Queen
Hawaii’s Last Queen (1997) This excellent American Experience documentary tells the complex story of how Americans twice seized power in Hawaii and the role played by Queen Liliuokalani. A strong-willed person, she was one of the most highly educated Hawaiians. She assumed the throne after her irresolute brother had ruled badly. Liliuokalani’s determination to restore Hawaiian rule over the islands ran afoul of the American ‘five families’ (descendents of American missionaries), an exuberant American consul, and marines from the U. S. S. Boston. Grover Cleveland, upon assuming the presidency for a second term, was morally distressed by what had happened to Liliuokalani. After an on the-spot investigation by Senator James Blount, Cleveland sought to restore the queen to her throne. When she threatened to decapitate her opponents as soon as she could, Cleveland backed off. During the Spanish American War Congress annexed Hawaii. Queen Liliukalani lived for years under house arrest.
