The Iolani Palace is open to the public.
Built in 1882.
Home of last reigning Hawaiian monarchs.
Opulent in decoration.
Grand Hall.
Throne Room.
State Dining Room.
Bedrooms.
Library.
Progressive for its time.
Having electricity.
Hot running water.
Toilets, baths.
Telephones.
Iolani Palace recounts narratives of Hawaiian kings and queens.
Who, in the nineteenth century, reached out globally.
To governments in England, France, the United States.
Gaining recognition on the world stage.
Until January 1893.
When American sugar plantation owners overthrew the queen.
Imprisoning her in her own palace.
Setting up a provisional government.
Petitioning the United States to take over Hawaii.
A sorrowful end to the monarchy.
Aggressive.
Dishonorable.
Shameful.
Queen Lili’uokalani betrayed.
By her minister from the United States.
And his allies.
President Grover Cleveland declared it wrongful.
Yet, the queen was not restored.
The U.S. hostilely took Hawaii.
An unmerited reward.
Doesn’t it strike you now
as deceitful and unjust?
That US aggressors
would damage well-built trust?
The same old tragedy
replays again and again.
When greed devours generosity.
Corrupts appetites of men.
Lynn Benjamin
March 16, 2023
