Lorrin A. Thurston, along with the Citizens' Committee of Public Safety, led the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the government of Queen Liliʻuokalani.

Lorrin Andrews Thurston: A Pivotal Figure in Hawaiian History

Lorrin Andrews Thurston (July 31, 1858 – May 11, 1931) was a highly influential American lawyer, politician, and businessman whose life and career were deeply intertwined with the transformation of the Hawaiian Islands. Born and raised within the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, Thurston descended from a prominent missionary family, which afforded him a unique perspective and significant influence in the islands' evolving socio-political landscape.

Thurston's most significant and controversial role was his prominent involvement in the 1893 Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. As a leading figure among the American and European business interests, he played a central role in the coup d'état that ultimately replaced the monarchy of Queen Liliʻuokalani with the short-lived Republic of Hawaii, which was heavily dominated by American interests and aligned with his vision for the islands' future.

Business Ventures and Public Influence

Beyond his political activism, Thurston was a shrewd businessman with diverse enterprises. He notably published the *Pacific Commercial Advertiser*, a significant newspaper that served as a direct forerunner to the present-day *Honolulu Star-Advertiser*. Through this influential publication and other ventures, including interests in sugar plantations and shipping, Thurston effectively shaped public opinion and advanced his economic and political agendas within the islands.

The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom: A Detailed Account

The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom was a meticulously planned coup d'état against Queen Liliʻuokalani, which unfolded on January 17, 1893, on the island of Oʻahu. This pivotal event was orchestrated by the "Committee of Safety," a thirteen-member group primarily composed of foreign residents and non-aboriginal Hawaiian Kingdom subjects of American descent in Honolulu. These individuals, largely influential businessmen and landowners, sought to protect and expand their economic interests and facilitate the annexation of Hawaiʻi to the United States.

A critical turning point in the overthrow was the Committee's appeal to American Minister John L. Stevens. Stevens, acting controversially and without explicit authorization from Washington D.C., called upon the U.S. Marines from the USS Boston to land in Honolulu. Although stated as a measure to protect American lives and property, this deployment effectively intimidated the royal government and signaled U.S. support for the insurgents, thereby tipping the balance of power decisively.

Following the successful coup, the insurgents established the Republic of Hawaii. While this was presented as a new independent government, its ultimate and overarching goal was the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States, a objective that was finally achieved in 1898.

Acknowledging the Past: The 1993 Apology Resolution

The contentious nature of the 1893 overthrow and its lasting impact on the Native Hawaiian people prompted significant debate and reconsideration. In 1993, a century after the event, the U.S. Congress passed the Apology Resolution (Public Law 103-150). This landmark resolution formally conceded that "the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii occurred with the active participation of agents and citizens of the United States."

Furthermore, the resolution explicitly acknowledged that "the Native Hawaiian people never directly relinquished to the United States their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people over their national lands, either through the Kingdom of Hawaii or through a plebiscite or referendum." This acknowledgment is a cornerstone for ongoing discussions and plays an integral role in the contemporary Hawaiian sovereignty movement, which advocates for self-determination, land rights, and the preservation of Native Hawaiian culture and identity.

Thurston's Conservation Legacy: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Beyond his political and business endeavors, Lorrin Andrews Thurston also left a significant legacy in conservation. From 1906 to 1916, he spearheaded a dedicated lobbying effort, working closely with a network of like-minded individuals and national politicians. Their tireless advocacy aimed to establish a national park dedicated to preserving the unique geological wonders of the Hawaiian volcanoes. This concerted effort culminated in the successful creation of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a testament to Thurston's foresight in recognizing the importance of protecting these natural treasures for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lorrin Andrews Thurston and the Hawaiian Overthrow

Who was Lorrin Andrews Thurston?
Lorrin Andrews Thurston was an American lawyer, politician, and businessman born in the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. He was a central figure in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and later a key advocate for the creation of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
What was Lorrin Andrews Thurston's role in the Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom?
Thurston was a leading organizer and ideologue of the Committee of Safety, the group that orchestrated the coup d'état against Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii.
What was the Committee of Safety?
The Committee of Safety was a group of thirteen prominent individuals, mostly American and European businessmen and residents in Hawaii, who initiated and led the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893.
How did the U.S. Marines become involved in the 1893 Overthrow?
U.S. Minister John L. Stevens, at the request of the Committee of Safety, ordered U.S. Marines from the USS Boston to land in Honolulu, ostensibly to protect American interests. Their presence provided a show of force that intimidated the royal government and facilitated the coup.
What was the Republic of Hawaii?
The Republic of Hawaii was the government established by the insurgents after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893. It existed until Hawaiʻi was annexed by the United States in 1898.
What is the significance of the 1993 Apology Resolution?
The 1993 Apology Resolution is a formal acknowledgment by the U.S. Congress that the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom involved the active participation of U.S. agents and citizens, and that the Native Hawaiian people never relinquished their inherent sovereignty.
What is the Hawaiian sovereignty movement?
The Hawaiian sovereignty movement is a political and cultural initiative that advocates for self-determination, land rights, and the restoration of a degree of political autonomy for Native Hawaiians, often referencing the historical injustices of the overthrow and annexation.
What was Lorrin Andrews Thurston's contribution to conservation?
From 1906 to 1916, Lorrin Andrews Thurston led a successful lobbying effort to establish a national park to preserve the volcanic landscapes of Hawaiʻi, which ultimately led to the creation of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.