Liliuokalani

Liliuokalani or Lydia Kamekeha (1838-1917), Queen of Hawaii from 1891 to 1893. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Liliuokalani became Queen of Hawaii in 1891. Four years earlier, American businessmen, who were seeking United States annexation of Hawaii, had successfully gained constitutional reforms. In 1893 the queen tried to reestablish the power of the monarchy by seeking a new constitution. The Americans of Hawaii revolted and deposed Liliuokalani. President Grover Cleveland proposed to restore the queen if she would grant amnesty to the Americans. Liliuokalani reluctantly consented, but the provisional government, led by Sanford B. Dole, refused to step down. In 1895 Liliuokalani formally abdicated her throne. She was well known as the composer of Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee).