Hawaii monarchal election, 1874
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:''This riot should not be confused with the 1852 Whaler Riot in Honolulu.'' The Honolulu Courthouse riot, or the Election riot, occurred in February 1874 when Hawaiian followers of Queen Emma, known as Emmaites, attacked supporters of King Kalakaua on the latter's election day and started a riot. Marines and sailors from three
American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...
and British warships were landed and they successfully quelled the rioters and Kalakaua took the oath of office the following day without further opposition.


Royal Elections of 1874

The Royal Elections of 1874 were held in Hawaii February 12, 1874. It was the second time an election for head of state was held. According to the Constitution of 1864, article 22 stated if the monarch dies before naming a successor "such vacancy, shall cause a meeting of the Legislative Assembly, who shall elect by ballot some native Ali'i of the Kingdom as Successor," therefore the elections were held by the representatives not the public. Only three candidates were considered seriously.


Candidates

;National :
David Kalākaua David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...
;Queen's : Emma Rooke ;Independent : Bernice Bishop


Riot

After the death of King Lunalilo on February 3, 1874, an electoral process began with Queen Emma, the widow of King Kamehameha IV, running against David Kalakaua. Emma was a popular choice among the people, especially in Honolulu, but her pro-British views were unpopular with the Hawaiian legislature dominated by pro-American factions, compared to Kalakaua, who was considered more sympathetic to growing power of the American business interest in the islands, so when election day came on February 12, she lost by a vote of thirty-nine to six, in the legislature. Her supporters were unhappy with the decision. The election proceedings were held at the
Honolulu Courthouse The Honolulu Courthouse, also known as simply the Court House or the Parliament House, and later known as the Old Courthouse, was a two-story building in Downtown Honolulu that served as the meeting location of the Hawaiian Kingdom's Legislature ...
, which is where an angry mob of about 100 of the queen's followers gathered. Since the Hawaiian army had been disbanded after a mutiny sometime before, and the militias were unreliable, there was nobody to stop the riot. The Honolulu police force deserted and also joined in the unrest, even fighting against each other depending on their political sympathies. The queen's followers first surrounded and besieged the courthouse at around 3:00 am, then went for the occupants of other buildings which spread the riot throughout most of the city. A
carriage A carriage is a private four-wheeled vehicle for people and is most commonly horse-drawn. Second-hand private carriages were common public transport, the equivalent of modern cars used as taxis. Carriage suspensions are by leather strapping an ...
was waiting outside of the courthouse to deliver news of the verdict to Kalakaua, who was waiting at his home, but before the electoral committee could tell the driver, the mob tore it apart. Kalakaua's followers put up little to no resistance and the decision was made to consult with the American
Minister Minister may refer to: * Minister (Christianity), a Christian cleric ** Minister (Catholic Church) * Minister (government), a member of government who heads a ministry (government department) ** Minister without portfolio, a member of government w ...
Henry A. Peirce Henry Augustus Peirce (December 15, 1808 – July 29, 1885) was an American businessman and diplomat. Some sources spell his last name as Pierce. Early life and business Peirce was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts (now part of Boston) on Decemb ...
who requested aid from the United States Navy and Royal Navy commanders at the island. The two American sloops-of-war, USS ''Tuscarora'' and USS ''Portsmouth'' were anchored in
Honolulu Harbor Honolulu Harbor, also called ''Kulolia'' and ''Ke Awa O Kou'' and the Port of Honolulu , is the principal seaport of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii in the United States. From the harbor, the City & County of Honolulu was developed and urbanized ...
, on an expedition of negotiation to allow the exportation of sugar to America duty-free, but instead their commanders agreed to intervene in a major civil disturbance. A force of 150 American marines and sailors under Lieutenant Commander
Theodore F. Jewell Theodore Frelinghuysen Jewell (August 5, 1844 – July 26, 1932) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy. Naval career Jewell was appointed an acting midshipman on November 29, 1861, when he entered the United States Naval Academy. His clas ...
were put ashore along with another seventy to eighty Britons under
Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
Edward Hood Lingard Ray from the sloop HMS ''Tenedos''. The Americans headed straight for the courthouse, pushing back the rioters, and placing guards, they also occupied the city armory, the treasury, the station house, and the jail, filled with riled up prisoners who Queen Emma said she would free. British forces attacked up the Nuuanu Valley to Emma's house where they dispersed a large crowd with force. They then went back to Honolulu to man the palace and the barracks. By sundown, some rioters had been captured and the city was mostly quiet with the exception of sporadic musketry and the sounds of breaking glass. Several people were killed or injured in the conflict, including many foreign citizens though no American naval personnel were hurt seriously and it is not believed any of the Britons were either. Emma claimed no part in riot, but the opinion was that she supported the actions of her followers. The riot gained nothing for the queen and Kalakaua took the oath on February 13, after which his right to the throne was no longer in threat. The marines and sailors ended their occupation on February 20. America's involvement in the riot also led to the establishment of the first United States Navy coaling and repair station in Pearl Harbor.


Casualties

Many were injured during the riot. Thirteen legislators who voted for Kalākaua were severely injured including
Samuel Kipi Samuel Kipi (1825 – 1879) was a statesman in the Kingdom of Hawaii who served as Royal Governor of the island Hawaii from 1874 to 1879. Life and career Kipi was born May 9, 1825 at Hilo, Hawaii, although his gravestone state he was born in ...
,
J. W. Lonoaea J. W. Lonoaea (died March 16, 1874) was a politician of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi who served in the House of Representatives of the Legislature of the Kingdom from 1872 until his death. Following the death of King Lunalilo, it fell to the l ...
, Thomas N. Birch, David Hopeni Nahinu, P. Haupu, C. K. Kakani, S. K. Kupihea,
William Luther Moehonua William Luther Kealii Moehonua (1824–1878) was a native Hawaiian noble and politician in the Kingdom of Hawaii. Life William Luther Moehonua was born May 5, 1824, in Mokulēia. His mother was Mary Napuaelua. There is some dispute about his fa ...
, C. K. Kapule, D. Kaukaha,
Pius F. Koakanu Pius F. Koakanu (sometimes known as John F. Koakanu or Koakanu II; died March 2, 1885) was a Hawaiian high chief (''aliʻi'') from the island of Kauai who served as a politician during the Kingdom of Hawaii and the ''Kahu'' or Keeper of the Royal ...
, D. W. Kaiue and R. P. Kuikahi. Based on photographic evidence (right), it appears that William Thomas Martin may also have been injured. Two individuals not affiliated with the legislature were also injured: British subject John Foley, who tried to rescue Moehonua from the rioters, and a native partisan of Kalākaua's
John Koii Unauna John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...
. No foreigners except Foley were harmed. Representative Lonoaea, the only fatality of the event, died as result of his injuries.


See also

*
Pacific Squadron The Pacific Squadron was part of the United States Navy squadron stationed in the Pacific Ocean in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Initially with no United States ports in the Pacific, they operated out of storeships which provided naval s ...
*
Battle of Nuuanu A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...
*
Kepelino Zepherin "Kepelino" Kahōʻāliʻi Keauokalani ( – ) was a Native Hawaiian cultural historian who wrote ''Kepelino's Traditions of Hawaii''. Born into a family descended from both the Hawaiian priestly class and nobility, Kepelino converted to ...


References

{{DANFS Honolulu United States Navy in the 19th century History of the Royal Navy Naval operations and battles Riots and civil disorder in Hawaii 1874 riots 1874 in Hawaii Military expeditions of the United States Punitive expeditions of the United Kingdom February 1874 events Military of the Hawaiian Kingdom