The Hawaiian Islands: Their Resources, Agricultural, Commercial and Financial — John Shaqi
The Hawaiian Islands: Their Resources, Agricultural, Commercial and FinancialHawaii. Department of Foreign Affairs
History
The Hawaiian Islands: Their Resources, Agricultural, Commercial and Financial
Hawaii. Department of Foreign Affairs
Hawaii; Hawaii -- Economic conditions
As Kamehameha V. died without appointing any successor, the choice
devolved upon the Legislature, which met on the 8th of January, 1873,
and elected William Lunalilo, cousin of the late king, by a large
majority, amid general rejoicing. During that year, the proposal to cede
or lease Pearl Harbor to the United States in consideration of a treaty
of commercial reciprocity gave rise to an extensive agitation, which
intensified the suspicion and race prejudice that already existed.
The execution of the law for the segregation of lepers helped to widen
the breach, and the effects were seen in the mutiny of the household
troops in September, 1873, which had the sympathy of the populace.
The King's health was already failing, and on the 3d of February, 1874,
he died of pulmonary consumption. By his will he left the bulk of his
real estate to found a home for aged and indigent Hawaiians.
ACCESSION OF KALAKAUA.
Again the Legislature was called together to elect his successor on the
12th of February, 1874. The two rival candidates were the Queen-Dowager
Emma and David Kalakaua, the latter of whom was elected by thirty-nine
votes to six. A large mob, composed of Queen Emma's partisans,
surrounded the court house during the election, after which they broke
into the building and assaulted the members of the Legislature.
At the request of the Cabinet, a body of marines was landed from the U.
S. ships "Tuscarora" and "Portsmouth," and another from H. B. M.'s ship
"Tenedos," which dispersed the rioters and guarded the public buildings
for a week. Kalakaua was sworn in at noon the next day, and duly
proclaimed King.
THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.
During the next year negotiations were opened with the United States for
a treaty of commercial reciprocity, which was ratified in June, 1875,
and finally went into operation in September, 1876, in spite of bitter
opposition in both countries. The development of the resources of the
Islands, which has resulted from this treaty, has surpassed all
expectation. In connection with it there has also been a large increase
of the foreign elements in the population.
THE KING'S TOUR AROUND THE WORLD.
On the 20th of January, 1881, King Kalakaua set out on a tour around the
world, accompanied by the late Col. C. H. Judd, and Mr. W. N. Armstrong.
He was received with royal honors in Japan, and afterwards visited
China, Siam, Johore and British India. After visiting the Khedive of
Egypt, the party made the tour of Europe, and returned home by way of
the United States, arriving in Honolulu Oct. 29, 1881.
REACTIONARY POLICY OF KALAKAUA.
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