Would Hawaii Have Remained Independent Without Annexation?

The historical timeline of Hawaii's annexation is a critical piece of the Pacific regional history, raising numerous what-if scenarios. If the United States had never annexed Hawaii, or if King Kamehameha III had not unified the Hawaiian Islands, could Hawaii have become its own independent nation? This article explores these possibilities and their implications.

The Strategic Importance of Hawaii

Hawaii’s location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean made it a strategic gem for the world’s naval powers. Even without U.S. or British annexation, the islands would likely have been coveted by others due to their strategic location.

The British, for instance, had a significant presence in the region. Their influence is evident in the flag of the state of Hawaii, which includes the Union Jack of Great Britain. Captain James Cook, the first European to set foot in Hawaii, named the islands the Sandwich Islands and was unfortunately killed by the local population on his second visit. If the British did not annex Hawaii, it's plausible that the materially rising Japan, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, would have taken control. Japan was expanding its imperial territories during this period, making a successful annexation by any other power highly unlikely.

Hawaiian Independence in the Age of Imperialism

Even more convincingly, historians argue that Hawaiian independence was bound to be short-lived due to the age of imperialism. As soon as European powers developed ocean-going sailing ships capable of long-distance voyages, Hawaiian sovereignty was already under threat. This inaugurated a period where most Pacific Islands became colonies of European or American powers.

Historical facts support this view. The Kingdom of Hawaii was sovereign from 1810 until 1893 when it was overthrown by resident American and European capitalists and landholders. Hawaii was then an independent republic from 1894 until August 12, 1898, when it officially became a U.S. territory. Hawaii was finally admitted as a U.S. state on August 21, 1959. This sequence of events clearly illustrates the fragility of Hawaiian sovereignty in the face of imperial ambitions.

The Failure to Unify the Islands by King Kamehameha III

Even without the unification of the Hawaiian Islands by King Kamehameha III, the same outcome would have likely resulted. The American and European presence in Hawaii was already significant during his reign, and the forces of colonialism would have eventually overpowered any local resistance.

With its strategic location, Hawaii was a prime candidate for colonization by neighboring imperial powers. Without the strong central leadership of King Kamehameha III, other European or Asian powers would have likely exploited the region's strategic importance.

The Hawaii Archipelago Nation

It's also worth noting that while many know about Hawaii as a U.S. state, there is awareness among residents that the nation of Hawaii includes three islands: Ni‘ihau, Lana‘i, and Kahoolawe. King Kamehameha I, the unifier of the Hawaiian Islands, played a pivotal role in this consolidation, but the archipelago's transition to colonial status was inevitable.

Conclusion

The strategic importance and the historical context of Hawaii's annexation leave little room for doubt. The islands would likely have been annexed by another colonial power, be it the Brits, the Japanese, or any other rising maritime kingdom of the time.

References

Facts on the Kingdom of Hawaii and its annexation timeline Historical accounts of European and American presence in Hawaii Strategic importance of Hawaii's location in the Pacific Ocean

This historical exploration underscores the complex interplay of geopolitical forces and the inevitability of colonialism in the Pacific region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.