FREE HAWAII

How did Hawai'i become a state?
114 Years After the Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom
On January 16, 1893, United States diplomatic and military personnel conspired with a small group of individuals to overthrow the constitutional government of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Under the direction of the American Minister, John L. Stevens, U.S. Marines were directed to land at Honolulu Harbor, ostensibly to protect American lives and property. This action led to the subversion of the constitutional Government of Hawaii in the interests of annexation to the United States.
The following is an excerpt from a paper written by Poka Laenui in 1984 that is timely today:
"The movement began with the awakening of my spirit when I read Queen Liliuokalani' s Hawaii's Story. I read first with curiosity, followed by confusion, then much anger, and finally resolve of what needed to be done. Here is what I discovered of Hawaii's history.
On January 16, 1893, over 160 American marines landed in peaceful Honolulu armed with Gatling gun, Howitzer cannons, double cartridge belts filled with ammunition, carbines and other instruments of war. The protest by Hawaii's Queen that such landing was a breach of treaty and international law was simply ignored. The troops marched along the streets of Honolulu, rifles facing the Queen's palace.
The following day, the resident conspirators numbering 18, mostly Americans, sneaked to a government building a few yards from where the American troops lodged the night before. There, an American lawyer, who had been a resident of Hawaii less than a year previous, proclaimed they were now the government of Hawaii. Calling themselves the "provisional government" and selecting Sanford Dole president, they were to exist for the explicit purpose and until terms could be arranged with the U.S. for annexation.
Before the full declaration had been read, the U.S. marines marched into the building to protect and support them. American Minister Plenipotentiary and commander of all U.S. forces in Hawaii, John L. Stevens, gave them immediate recognition as the government of Hawaii as had been planned. He than joined in their demand that the Queen surrender under threat of war with the U.S."
"The cause of Hawaii and independence is larger and dearer than the life of any man connected with it. Love of country is deep-seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station." - Queen Lili`uokalani