1900: Native Hawaiians oppose U.S. annexation
Nearly half the Native Hawaiians sign a petition to Congress opposing annexation. Liliu‘okalani, the former queen deposed by the U.S. military, travels to Washington, D.C., several times to plead for the rights of Native Hawaiians and for the fair settlement of crown lands. But Congress passes the Hawaiian Organic Act and President William McKinley signs it into law. Hawai‘i becomes a territory of the U.S., with an elected territorial government.
- Theme
- Federal-Tribal Relations, Land and Water, Native Rights
- Region
- Hawai‘i
Hawaiian flag being lowered from ‘Iolani Palace on Annexation Day
Courtesy Hawai‘i State Archives
Petition signed by Native Hawaiian women protesting the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands by the United States, 1897
Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration
Petition signed by Native Hawaiian women protesting the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands by the United States, 1897
Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration