Key Events

A few years after James Cook “discovered” the island in 1778 the king Kamehameha’s wanted to annex Hawaii. Yet, the American government kept delegating to the point where the king died, leading annexation to be declined. Later in 1874 king Kalakaua was elected, making strong ties with American trade. He went to ask for a treaty to help Hawaii keep its independence which was then signed in 1875. President Harrison was than elected in 1888 here in the United States which led to the McKinley Tariff being passed on October 1 1890. The McKinley Tariff took away all the privileges given from the reciprocity treaty. January of 1891 Queen Lili’uokalani was given the throne after king Kalakaua died but 2 years later she peacefully gave up her throne to prevent deaths. After Pearl Harbor the issue arose again and congress moved to annex the Hawaiian islands by joint resolution .Native Hawaiians and American businessmen fought for control of Hawaii’s government until Hawaii was formerly annexed by the United States in 1898.