List of ministers of the United States to Hawaii

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Minister of the United States to Hawaii
US Department of State official seal.svg
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent
None
NominatorThe President of the United States
Inaugural holder John Coffin Jones Jr.
as Agent for Commerce and Seamen
Formation1820
AbolishedAugust 12, 1898

The United States Minister to Hawaii was an office of the United States Department of State to the Kingdom of Hawaii during the period of 1810 to 1898. Appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of Congress, the Minister to Hawaii was equivalent in rank to the present-day ambassador of the United States to foreign governments. As principal envoy of the United States government to the monarch of Hawaii, the Minister to Hawaii often dealt in affairs relating to economic, military and political matters affecting both nations. The Minister to Hawaii also represented the interests of American citizens residing and working in Hawaii, conveying their concerns over United States foreign policy to the President of the United States.

Contents

Two Ministers to Hawaii became paramount figures in the history of Hawaiian Islands. John L. Stevens, appointed by President Benjamin Harrison, was accused of being a conspirator in the overthrow of the monarchy of Queen Liliʻuokalani. James Henderson Blount, appointed by President Grover Cleveland, investigated the overthrow, submitting a report on July 17, 1893, resulting in the dismissal of Stevens from his foreign service career and the recommendation by Cleveland to restore the monarchy. Following Blount's report, and the refusal of the Provisional Government to abide by Cleveland's wishes, a Senate committee appointed by Cleveland to further investigate the matter exonerated Stevens and the U.S. peacekeepers from any role in the Hawaiian Revolution, submitting the Morgan Report on February 26, 1894. Following that final investigation on the matter, Cleveland rebuffed further requests from the queen for interference and engaged in normal diplomatic relations with both the Provisional Government and the Republic of Hawaii.

Agents and Consuls

The first representatives were given the unpaid title of Agent for Commerce and Seamen and in 1844 given the title of Consul. There are gaps and overlaps in the dates due to the six-month journey from the eastern United States to Hawaii at the time. [1]

In 1850 Charles Bunker was added as a consul in Lahaina. [3]

Commissioners

In 1843 the diplomatic representative was called Commissioner. [1]

List of Ministers

This is a list of American Ministers (replacing the rank of Commissioner, similar to current rank of Ambassador) to the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1863 to 1893.

John L. Stevens, United States Minister to Hawaii, ordered the landing of the United States Marine Corps on O`ahu which has been subjected to competing historical interpretations. Johnlstevens.jpg
John L. Stevens, United States Minister to Hawaii, ordered the landing of the United States Marine Corps on Oʻahu which has been subjected to competing historical interpretations.

See also

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James Henderson Blount

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Provisional Government of Hawaii

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Robert Crichton Wyllie

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Hermann A. Widemann American judge

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John Adams Cummins

John Adams Kuakini Cummins was a member of the nobility of the Kingdom of Hawaii who became a wealthy businessman, and was involved in politics as the kingdom was overthrown.

Joseph Apukai Akina

Joseph Apukai Akina was a lawyer, politician and minister of the Kingdom of Hawaii and later Territory of Hawaii. He served as a statesman during the reign of Queen Liliʻuokalani and later became the first Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Hawaii Territorial Legislature.

John Ena Jr. Hawaiian business magnate and politician (1845–1906)

John Ena Jr. was a Hawaiian business magnate and politician. He was an advisor to both King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, his advisory position was retained during the Provisional Government and the Republic of Hawaii. Ena Road in Waikiki is his namesake.

Hui Aloha ʻĀina were two Hawaiian nationalist organizations established by Native Hawaiian political leaders and statesmen and their spouses in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and Queen Liliʻuokalani on January 17, 1893. The organization was formed to promote Hawaiian patriotism and independence and oppose the overthrow and the annexation of Hawaii to the United States. Its members organized and collected the Kūʻē Petitions to oppose the annexation, which ultimately blocked a treaty of annexation in the United States Senate in 1897.

References

  1. 1 2 Rhoda E. A. Hackler (2008). ""Earnest Persuasion but Not Peremptory Demand:" United States Government Policy toward the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, 1820–1863". Hawaiian Journal of History. Hawaiian Historical Society. 42: 49–67. hdl:10524/342.
  2. Richard A. Greer (1995). "A. G. Abell's Hawaiian Interlude". Hawaiian Journal of History. Hawaiian Historical Society. 29: 57–74. hdl:10524/441.
  3. Peter von Buol (2006). "Abner Pratt and Michigan's Honolulu House". Prologue. 38 (4). U.S. National Archives. Retrieved March 4, 2011.