By Roth K. Puahala

As part of Indigenous People’s Month, we wanted to share this story of an Indigenous Anglican: “Our Queen’s Story.” 

Ke Welina me ke Aloha a me Nana i ke kumu (Greetings with much affection and encourages us to look to our ancestors, to nature, and to God for guidance, help and love.) 

Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, was overthrown on Jan. 17, 1893. This occurred due to the interests of American businessmen and sugar planters in Hawaii. They were supported by U.S. Marines and the U.S. government, and by U.S. businessmen who would financially benefit from annexation to the United States.

Queen Liliʻuokalani could have ordered her people to fight; however, she knew the lives of many, if not all, Hawaiians would be lost. Instead, she yielded her authority to save the lives of her people and was imprisoned by those American colonizers. She stood down, so her people could stand up. If she had not surrendered, I as a Kanaka Maoli (Indigenous Native to Hawai‘i) would not be here today. 

Queen Liliʻuokalani was a member of the Anglican Church, now known as the Episcopal Church in Hawaiʻi. Her faith was significant. She composed many hymns and prayers that reflected her religious beliefs. The “Queen’s Prayer” tells how she found it in her heart to forgive those who imprisoned her and is sung in every parish in Hawaiʻi on Sundays. 

For the peoples of Hawai’i, Queen Liliʻuokalani embodied the Beloved Community, believing in equality, faith, hope, love, and peace. In Hawai’i, there are annual events and memorials honoring her. In September, commemorating the month of her birth, she is remembered throughout the state with festivities and a Children’s Hula Competition. Each year, on Jan. 17, the anniversary of being overthrown, an interfaith service, the Ho’oku’ikahi Reconciliation Service, is held to honor the queen’s legacy of nonviolence and justice. And in November of 2023, The Lili‘uokalani Peace Chapel was dedicated within the Cathedral of St. Andrews.  

In 2014, at the 46th Hawai‘i Diocesan Convention, an effort was started to add Queen Liliʻuokalani to the Episcopal Church’s calendar on Jan. 29, the anniversary of her coronation in 1891. The first reading passed at the 81st General Convention this year, and a second reading is required to pass at the 82nd General Convention in 2027. Please see the resolution for more information:  https://www.episcopalarchives.org/sites/default/files/gc_resolutions/2022-D025.pdf    

‘Onipa‘a, Moʻi Wahine, Liliʻuokalani. (Steadfast, Queen Lili‘uokalani) 

–

Roth K. Puahala, head verger, is a junior warden, licensed lay minister, and licensed worship leader for the Cathedral of St. Andrews. He serves as a member of the Native Hawaiian Ministries Committee and Indigenous Ministries Advisory Council, and as secretary for the MW062 Boarding School Commission and the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music.