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THE LAND OF THE MISFIT QUEENS
Who was Queen Lili’uokalani, and Why was she overthrown?
We are back with our next queen! She was the last of her dynasty and fought bravely for her kingdom’s independence. Despite American pressures from all sides, she held out as long as she could before Hawaii was integrated into the United States.
Early Life
Lili’oukalani was born Lydia Kamakaeha on September 2nd, 1838. She was the daughter of Keohokalole, a high-ranking advisor to King Kamehameha III of Hawaii. Her childhood consisted of a missionary school, receiving a thorough education that was custom of noble children. During for formative years, she attended a tour of the western world.
The young girl became quite prolific in English, but her real talent lay in music. Writing more than 160 songs in her life, Lili’oukalani wrote the famously beloved Hawaiian national anthem, “Aloha ‘Oe.”
Lili’oukalani became crown princess of the Hawaiian islands in 1877 after her youngest brother passed away and became heir to the Hawaiian throne after her oldest brother King Kalākaua. Before that, she married the son of a Boston sea captain, John Owen Dominis. Dominis was also an official in the Hawaiian government.
