The first queen of the islands, Queen Lili’uokalani had hoped to strengthen royal power when she ascended the throne in 1891, and loosen Hawaii’s ties to the United States.

Her policy upset foreign businessmen, and she was forced to sign an official abdication in 1895, leaving her powerless to prevent Hawaii’s eventual annexation to the United States.

The formal transfer of power, seen in this archive image, took place on the steps of the 'Iolani Palace in 1898.

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