Liliʻuokalani

Liliʻuokalani, born on September 2, 1838, in Honolulu, Oʻahu, was a remarkable figure in Hawaiian history, serving as the only queen regnant and the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. She ascended to the throne on January 29, 1891, following the death of her brother, King David Kalākaua. Her reign was marked by her efforts to restore the monarchy's power and the voting rights of the economically disenfranchised, which ultimately led to her overthrow on January 17, 1893, by pro-American elements.

Raised in a hānai family, Liliʻuokalani was informally adopted at birth by Abner Pākī and Laura Kōnia. She received a Christian education at the Royal School and was later proclaimed eligible for the throne alongside her siblings and cousins by King Kamehameha III. Married to John Owen Dominis, who became the Governor of Oʻahu, the couple adopted several children despite having no biological offspring.

During her reign, Liliʻuokalani attempted to draft a new constitution to abrogate the Bayonet Constitution, which had stripped the monarchy of its powers. Her efforts were met with resistance, culminating in a coup d'état supported by the landing of U.S. Marines. Following her overthrow, she was placed under house arrest at ʻIolani Palace and was forced to abdicate on January 24, 1895, under duress.

Despite her dethronement, Liliʻuokalani continued to advocate for the restoration of the monarchy and opposed the annexation of Hawaiʻi by the United States. After the Spanish–American War, the islands were annexed, and she spent her later years as a private citizen. Liliʻuokalani passed away in 1917 at her residence, Washington Place, leaving behind a legacy as a writer, composer, and a symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty.