Liliuokalani, Queen of Hawaii

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

The lady this week is Lydia Kamekeha Liliuokalani - 1838-1917. 

The last and only reigning Queen Monarch of Hawaii. Native Hawaiians, like most indigenous people were characterized to the American people as incapable, needing the aid of a civilized nation like the U.S. to show them the error of their ways. 

After her brother David Kalakaua successfully became king of Hawaii, Likiukalani became the heir-apparent after the death of her younger brother. Now a Crown princess, Liliuokalani set out to Europe to Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. She was well received by Queen Victoria but not by the European monarchs, who refused to attend a dinner at Windsor Castle if Princess Likiukalani was to be seated with them.

It is in London that Liliuokalani garnered information on the Bayonet Constitution that her brother was forced to sign, which essentially stripped the royal family of most of their power. This was the beginning of the demise of the Hawaiian monarchy. The constitution drafted in 1887 was the beginning of the annexation of the Hawaiian nation to the United States. 

In 1891 Liliuokalani became the Queen of Hawaii. Her first act was to attempt instating a new draft of the constitution. American and European businessmen in Hawaii felt threatened by her and devised a plan to overthrow the Queen. On January 16, 1893, 162 sailors and marines from the USS Boston landed in Hawaii as scare tactic to the monarchy. The next day, the Queen had no choice but to succumb to their demands, actions that President Grover Cleavland deemed illegal. 

Cleavland advised the queen to renounce the evil acts of her captors, a request that was speculated to taken too long for the U.S. government's comfort. Her hesitation was enough for Cleavland to backtrack on his words and declare Sanford B. Dole president of the Republic of Hawaii. 

Liliuokalani was put on house-arrest for eight-months before given her civil rights in 1896. Although Liliuokalani traveled to the United States and fought for her nation, she was unsuccessful. Her brave spirit will be remembered forever.