ABSTRACT
In 1893 Hawaii was in turmoil. On 14 January Queen Lili‘uokalani, having ruled for six years under constitutional restraints, attempted by edict to establish an absolute monarchy. Although she quickly accepted her advisors’ pleas to repudiate this brief arrogation of power, an oligarchy of sugar growers seized the chance to depose her and establish a new provisional government. US minister John L. Stevens declared the islands a US protectorate, raised the Stars-and-Stripes over Lili‘uokalani’s palace, and on 16 January landed Marines and armed sailors from the US sail-rigged cruiser Boston. Among Stevens’ stated concerns were possible attacks on US interests by Japanese cane workers.1
