Who Is Queen Lili'uokalani?

Queen Lili'uokalani was Hawai'i's last reigning monarch. She ruled the nation from Jan. 1891-1893.

Lili'uokalani was born Lydia Lili'u Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamaka'eha on Sept. 2, 1838, in Honolulu.

She was born to high-ranking members of Hawai'i's ali'i, or royalty, Analea Keohokalole and Caesar Kapa'akea.

She became the adopted child of Laura Konia and Abner Pakï and sister of Bernice Pauahi. She was also the sister of James Kaliokalani, David Kalakaua, Anna Ka'iulani, Ka'imina'auao, Miriam Likelike and William Pitt Leleiöhoku.

Princess Kamaka'eha was married to John Owen Dominis on Sept. 16, 1862. She resided with her husband and his widowed mother at Washington Place.

Her brother, King Kalakaua, was appointed to the throne in Feb. 1874. He named his brother William Pitt Leleiöhoku as heir to the throne. On April 10, 1877, the day after Leleiöhoku died, Princess Lydia Kamaka‘eha was named heir apparent and received the title Lili'uokalani.

Kalakaua died in 1891, and Lili'uokalani assumed the throne

The queen amended the constitution and restored power to the monarchy and the Hawaiian people, which was taken away several years earlier by businessmen.

Businessmen initiated an overthrow of the queen. With the help of U.S. Marines, they forced Queen Lili'uokalani to surrender the Hawaiian Kingdom to the United States in 1893. A provisional government was established thereafter and named the Republic of Hawai'i. Sanford B. Dole was named president.

Lili'uokalani's was also a faithful scholar and a musician and composer. Queen Lili'uokalani composed more than 150 songs, including her most famous piece, "Aloha 'Oe."

Lili'uokalani died of a stroke at the age of 79 at Washington Place on Nov. 11, 1917.

In her will, she entrusted her estate to provide for orphan children of Hawaiian blood, amended later to include "other destitute children." Her legacy is perpetuated today through the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center and the Queen Lili'uokalani Trust.

The Queen Lili'uokalani Trust was a source for this article.