HWST 107 Final Study Guide questions
and answers with solutions
Kamehameha - ANSWER in 1791, defeated all contenders for the throne, became Mō`i of Hawaii
Island
Reputed son of Kahekili (died in 1792)
Began a series of wars w various island subchiefs
By 1795, controlled all islands except Kaua'i and Ni'ihau
Ruled by negotiations by 1805
united the archipelago with only Kauai remaining and being ceded into the nation under King
Kamehameha I by 1810
Married Ka'ahumanu
Was Hawai'i legally annexed? - ANSWER For war efforts and not including Hawai'i's own people
in the voting for annexation, absolutely not. Hawai'i became a territory because the US needed
a warship stop while sending ships to another band of islands to help fight in a war.
In 1898 the US congress passed a joint resolution to annex Hawai'i. Under US law a "joint
resolution" is not a treaty of annexation. The US government treaties the joint resolution as a
treaty and did so because of what political events occurring at the time? - ANSWER During this
time the US declared war on Spain after a U.S.warship was blown up in Cuba. Needing to send
military troops to Philippines, Hawai'i was suddenly needed, then was claimed as a territory by
the US.
The Hawaiian political huis Hui Kālai 'Āina and Hui Aloha 'Āina organized a petition drive to
protest US annexation of Hawai'i. How many names did they secure in a kingdom of
approximately 40,000 people? Was the petition drive successful? - ANSWER In total, both huis
retrieved about 38,000 signatures from those 40,000 people. The petition drive was successful
but it wasn't successful in having the annexation be stopped.
,What was the role of the Hawaiian "Hui" during the annexation movement? - ANSWER Their
role was to form a group to oppose the treaty. The 3 groups: Hui Aloha 'Āina for Women, Hui
Aloha 'Āina for Men, and the Hui Kālai 'Āina represented a majority of the Native Hawaiians
(Kanaka Maoli) who wanted their Native govt to be restored.
Explain Hawaii's annexation in one paragraph. - ANSWER The Provisional government seeked
annexation of Hawai'i after the overthrow committee seeked out their support. Queen
Lili'uokalani "yields" her authority under protest to the US government based on state theory
and treaties. President Cleveland withdraws the treaty. Political huis were created and traveled
amongst the Hawaiian Islands with petitions in protest of the annexation and to restore the
Hawaiian monarchy to its people. Although there were people on congress who opposed the
annexation, needing 46 votes more to let it pass, on July 1898 the annexation happened when
the US declared war on Spain and needed Hawai'i as a place where warships could travel to
while on route to Philippines to fight Spain. The US flag flown over Hawaii that year on August
12 marking Hawai'i as a territory of the United States.
How was Lili'uokalani's government overthrown? WHat was America's role in the overthrow? -
ANSWER Lili'uokalani took the throne in 1891 after Kalakaua died, and gained petitions in order
to create a new constitution that would return the power to and restore the Hawaiian nation.
Her Haole advisors didn't sign the constitution and snitched to Thurston's law office to inform
him of the new constitution and what's wanted of it. This became the reason as to
overthrowing QUeen and was supported by the same American businessmen who gave support
to the Bayonet Constitution, and the U.S Minister of Hawai'i, John Stevens. Through U.S. military
presence, the Queen yielded to the Americans hoping that power to the Hawaiians would be
restored but in the end, the American military convinced the congress for Hawai'i to become a
territory of America. Standard Dole stated Hawaiians were "like children, and if allowed they
would vote to remain a kingdom" after not allowing Hawaiians to vote against having Hawai'i
become an American territory.
Explain the Bayonet Constitution. - ANSWER The Bayonet Constitution written by Lorain
Thurston, gave white foreigners, along with those who didn't take the oath of allegiance, the
power to control the legislature and cabinet of Hawaii. In the end it "represented the loss of
Hawaiian control in the determination of what was pono for Hawaiians, and it was a direct blow
to Hawaiian sovereignty."
,How was Pearl Harbor ceded to the US government? - ANSWER Americans in Hawai'i loved the
idea of Hawaii being annexed by the US by ceding Pearl Harbor whilst the Native Hawaiians
opposed the cession. When Kalākaua was elected to the Hawaiian throne and not Queen
Emma, Kalakaua went to Washington in order to get a reciprocity treaty passed without the
cessation of Pearl Harbor. His vision was to create a new pono for Hawaiians and to increase the
race by reviving Hawaiian pride and throwing out the self doubt that was brought by Bingham.
After reviving old traditions that were seen as forbidden by the Calvinists, and to fund a
Hawaiian navy and army to protect the Hawaiian nation against invasion, American missionaries
strongly opposed the idea then created a secret league to overthrow the Hawaiian government.
Kalakaua was then forced to sign the Bayonet Constitution leading to a new reciprocity treaty
being made with America that included the cessation of Pearl Harbor.
Why did Hawai'i sugar planters and foreign business advocate for annexation? - ANSWER They
advocated annexation as a way of making more money via sugar plantation even if it meant
sacrificing the independence of Hawai'i.
What were the benefits and risks associated with the privatization of lands in hawai'i in 1848? -
ANSWER Foreign nations were not allowed to legally take the land, that all Hawaiians had
interest and rights to the land due to it being the primary source for food with the Ali'i Nui being
in complete control over the lands. Westerners had no way of owning, selling, or buying the
land as well. The Akuas, based on Hawaiian tradition, owned the land due to the Akuas giving
birth to the land.
Privatization allowed foreigners to buy Hawai'i. Commoners (8,200) received only about three
acre lots of the lands given from Land commission and Ali'i Nui (34) received larger portions
with at least 50% of what they previously owned. Missionaries at the time received 560 acres a
piece for their contribution in Christianizing the kingdom. Most of the Ali'i Nui by 1893 were
controlled by the foreigners. Foreigners and missionaries then invested in sugar plantations.
What lessons were learned by the events of 1839 (French incident) and 1843 when British
Admiral Paulette seized the Hawaiian Kingdom only to have it later returned by the British
government? - ANSWER For the Hawaiians, as long as the Ali'i Nui obeyed the advice of the
missionaries the nation of Hawaii would not be involved in war nor occupation by another
nation via patient dignity.
, What power did the commoner or maka'ainana have in the kingdom and how did they assert it?
- ANSWER The maka'ainana did not trust the foreigners. The wrote petitions to the Ali'i Nui
protesting against having foreigners in their government, having private ownership of land, and
for foreigners to take an oath of allegiance. They also claimed that "good foreigners" wouldn't
look over the laws made by the Ali'i Nuis and selling the kingdom to other nations.
Explain the role of missionaries in Hawai'i. When did they arrive and what were the
circumstances of their arrival. What does the Christian religion do for or to Hawai'i? - ANSWER
Missionaries from American New England arrived in 1820 to convert Hawaiians religion to
Christianity and to civilize the Hawaiian people. Their mission was to "plant the seed of self
doubt in the Hawaiian breast" assuming that the reason they are dying was because of not
believing in Jehovah, be saved from military threats, and to save them from foreign disease.
Christian religion for the Hawaiians brought them a new pono, a message of Ola Hou, and
allowed them to adopt American legal forms that would ensure Hawai'i a slot in being one of
the nations that are civilized and foreign respect for the independence of the Hawaiian nation.
Explain the impacts of "Gun Boat Diplomacy" as discussed by Kameʻeleihiwa. - ANSWER Lord
Paulet from England seized Hawai'i over a land dispute- an Ali'i Nui had stolen his land. A
Hawaiian-British treaty of 1836 stated that there could be a lease on Hawaiian land and not
actual ownership, lead to Paulet to take advantage of the Hawaiian government. Kamehameha
III relinquishes sovereignty under duress until such time that England recognizes their wrong
doing. President Tyler of the US warned Europe not to interfere with Hawai'i because of Hawai'i
being under American influence, and the U.S. would force if Hawai'i would be in the hands of
the Europeans. When the British left Hawai'i, the Hawaiians believed that the American
missionaries were right in waiting out with "patient dignity than to engage in futile war", it
would cause them to maintain their own independence as a nation.
How did trade impact the Hawaiian Islands in the early 19th century? How did chiefs manage
their debt? - ANSWER In the early 19th century, it caused Hawaii to be a "perfect port" for ships
that sail from between California and China, causing American fortunes to be used rather than
taxes paid to the Native government for trades. Rather than using sandalwood to pay for their
debt, they paid via Hawaiian land to those merchants
and answers with solutions
Kamehameha - ANSWER in 1791, defeated all contenders for the throne, became Mō`i of Hawaii
Island
Reputed son of Kahekili (died in 1792)
Began a series of wars w various island subchiefs
By 1795, controlled all islands except Kaua'i and Ni'ihau
Ruled by negotiations by 1805
united the archipelago with only Kauai remaining and being ceded into the nation under King
Kamehameha I by 1810
Married Ka'ahumanu
Was Hawai'i legally annexed? - ANSWER For war efforts and not including Hawai'i's own people
in the voting for annexation, absolutely not. Hawai'i became a territory because the US needed
a warship stop while sending ships to another band of islands to help fight in a war.
In 1898 the US congress passed a joint resolution to annex Hawai'i. Under US law a "joint
resolution" is not a treaty of annexation. The US government treaties the joint resolution as a
treaty and did so because of what political events occurring at the time? - ANSWER During this
time the US declared war on Spain after a U.S.warship was blown up in Cuba. Needing to send
military troops to Philippines, Hawai'i was suddenly needed, then was claimed as a territory by
the US.
The Hawaiian political huis Hui Kālai 'Āina and Hui Aloha 'Āina organized a petition drive to
protest US annexation of Hawai'i. How many names did they secure in a kingdom of
approximately 40,000 people? Was the petition drive successful? - ANSWER In total, both huis
retrieved about 38,000 signatures from those 40,000 people. The petition drive was successful
but it wasn't successful in having the annexation be stopped.
,What was the role of the Hawaiian "Hui" during the annexation movement? - ANSWER Their
role was to form a group to oppose the treaty. The 3 groups: Hui Aloha 'Āina for Women, Hui
Aloha 'Āina for Men, and the Hui Kālai 'Āina represented a majority of the Native Hawaiians
(Kanaka Maoli) who wanted their Native govt to be restored.
Explain Hawaii's annexation in one paragraph. - ANSWER The Provisional government seeked
annexation of Hawai'i after the overthrow committee seeked out their support. Queen
Lili'uokalani "yields" her authority under protest to the US government based on state theory
and treaties. President Cleveland withdraws the treaty. Political huis were created and traveled
amongst the Hawaiian Islands with petitions in protest of the annexation and to restore the
Hawaiian monarchy to its people. Although there were people on congress who opposed the
annexation, needing 46 votes more to let it pass, on July 1898 the annexation happened when
the US declared war on Spain and needed Hawai'i as a place where warships could travel to
while on route to Philippines to fight Spain. The US flag flown over Hawaii that year on August
12 marking Hawai'i as a territory of the United States.
How was Lili'uokalani's government overthrown? WHat was America's role in the overthrow? -
ANSWER Lili'uokalani took the throne in 1891 after Kalakaua died, and gained petitions in order
to create a new constitution that would return the power to and restore the Hawaiian nation.
Her Haole advisors didn't sign the constitution and snitched to Thurston's law office to inform
him of the new constitution and what's wanted of it. This became the reason as to
overthrowing QUeen and was supported by the same American businessmen who gave support
to the Bayonet Constitution, and the U.S Minister of Hawai'i, John Stevens. Through U.S. military
presence, the Queen yielded to the Americans hoping that power to the Hawaiians would be
restored but in the end, the American military convinced the congress for Hawai'i to become a
territory of America. Standard Dole stated Hawaiians were "like children, and if allowed they
would vote to remain a kingdom" after not allowing Hawaiians to vote against having Hawai'i
become an American territory.
Explain the Bayonet Constitution. - ANSWER The Bayonet Constitution written by Lorain
Thurston, gave white foreigners, along with those who didn't take the oath of allegiance, the
power to control the legislature and cabinet of Hawaii. In the end it "represented the loss of
Hawaiian control in the determination of what was pono for Hawaiians, and it was a direct blow
to Hawaiian sovereignty."
,How was Pearl Harbor ceded to the US government? - ANSWER Americans in Hawai'i loved the
idea of Hawaii being annexed by the US by ceding Pearl Harbor whilst the Native Hawaiians
opposed the cession. When Kalākaua was elected to the Hawaiian throne and not Queen
Emma, Kalakaua went to Washington in order to get a reciprocity treaty passed without the
cessation of Pearl Harbor. His vision was to create a new pono for Hawaiians and to increase the
race by reviving Hawaiian pride and throwing out the self doubt that was brought by Bingham.
After reviving old traditions that were seen as forbidden by the Calvinists, and to fund a
Hawaiian navy and army to protect the Hawaiian nation against invasion, American missionaries
strongly opposed the idea then created a secret league to overthrow the Hawaiian government.
Kalakaua was then forced to sign the Bayonet Constitution leading to a new reciprocity treaty
being made with America that included the cessation of Pearl Harbor.
Why did Hawai'i sugar planters and foreign business advocate for annexation? - ANSWER They
advocated annexation as a way of making more money via sugar plantation even if it meant
sacrificing the independence of Hawai'i.
What were the benefits and risks associated with the privatization of lands in hawai'i in 1848? -
ANSWER Foreign nations were not allowed to legally take the land, that all Hawaiians had
interest and rights to the land due to it being the primary source for food with the Ali'i Nui being
in complete control over the lands. Westerners had no way of owning, selling, or buying the
land as well. The Akuas, based on Hawaiian tradition, owned the land due to the Akuas giving
birth to the land.
Privatization allowed foreigners to buy Hawai'i. Commoners (8,200) received only about three
acre lots of the lands given from Land commission and Ali'i Nui (34) received larger portions
with at least 50% of what they previously owned. Missionaries at the time received 560 acres a
piece for their contribution in Christianizing the kingdom. Most of the Ali'i Nui by 1893 were
controlled by the foreigners. Foreigners and missionaries then invested in sugar plantations.
What lessons were learned by the events of 1839 (French incident) and 1843 when British
Admiral Paulette seized the Hawaiian Kingdom only to have it later returned by the British
government? - ANSWER For the Hawaiians, as long as the Ali'i Nui obeyed the advice of the
missionaries the nation of Hawaii would not be involved in war nor occupation by another
nation via patient dignity.
, What power did the commoner or maka'ainana have in the kingdom and how did they assert it?
- ANSWER The maka'ainana did not trust the foreigners. The wrote petitions to the Ali'i Nui
protesting against having foreigners in their government, having private ownership of land, and
for foreigners to take an oath of allegiance. They also claimed that "good foreigners" wouldn't
look over the laws made by the Ali'i Nuis and selling the kingdom to other nations.
Explain the role of missionaries in Hawai'i. When did they arrive and what were the
circumstances of their arrival. What does the Christian religion do for or to Hawai'i? - ANSWER
Missionaries from American New England arrived in 1820 to convert Hawaiians religion to
Christianity and to civilize the Hawaiian people. Their mission was to "plant the seed of self
doubt in the Hawaiian breast" assuming that the reason they are dying was because of not
believing in Jehovah, be saved from military threats, and to save them from foreign disease.
Christian religion for the Hawaiians brought them a new pono, a message of Ola Hou, and
allowed them to adopt American legal forms that would ensure Hawai'i a slot in being one of
the nations that are civilized and foreign respect for the independence of the Hawaiian nation.
Explain the impacts of "Gun Boat Diplomacy" as discussed by Kameʻeleihiwa. - ANSWER Lord
Paulet from England seized Hawai'i over a land dispute- an Ali'i Nui had stolen his land. A
Hawaiian-British treaty of 1836 stated that there could be a lease on Hawaiian land and not
actual ownership, lead to Paulet to take advantage of the Hawaiian government. Kamehameha
III relinquishes sovereignty under duress until such time that England recognizes their wrong
doing. President Tyler of the US warned Europe not to interfere with Hawai'i because of Hawai'i
being under American influence, and the U.S. would force if Hawai'i would be in the hands of
the Europeans. When the British left Hawai'i, the Hawaiians believed that the American
missionaries were right in waiting out with "patient dignity than to engage in futile war", it
would cause them to maintain their own independence as a nation.
How did trade impact the Hawaiian Islands in the early 19th century? How did chiefs manage
their debt? - ANSWER In the early 19th century, it caused Hawaii to be a "perfect port" for ships
that sail from between California and China, causing American fortunes to be used rather than
taxes paid to the Native government for trades. Rather than using sandalwood to pay for their
debt, they paid via Hawaiian land to those merchants
