Why Hawaii’s last queen was imprisoned in her palace for nearly 8 months in 1895

Iolani Palace, Honolulu

Robert Wilcox and Samuel Nowlein launched a three-day rebellion from January 6 to 9, 1895, trying to overthrow the Republic of Hawaii and restore Queen Liliuokalani.

When the uprising failed, weapons were found at the queen’s Washington Place home, leading to her arrest on January 16. She was tried by a military tribunal in her former throne room and sentenced to five years hard labor plus a $5,000 fine.

Instead, she spent eight months locked in a single upstairs bedroom at Iolani Palace, allowed only one companion.

Here’s the story of how America’s only royal palace became a prison and how you can visit the very same royal halls today.

The Hawaiian Royalist Rebellion Begins

Robert Wilcox, a Hawaiian with Italian military training, led a short uprising from January 6-9, 1895. This was the last major fight by those loyal to the queen after the 1893 overthrow.

Supporters of the queen planned to take over government buildings in Honolulu and restore her to power. Their plans fell apart when they ran into police sooner than expected.

This early clash warned officials in Honolulu, forcing the rebels to give up their plans and run away.

Weapons at Washington Place

Officials arrested Queen Liliuokalani at her private home, Washington Place, on January 16, 1895. This happened ten days after the failed rebellion.

The next day, they searched her property and found rifles and explosives buried in her garden. They also found writings in her diary that seemed to show she knew about the planned uprising.

The Queen’s Arrest

Government forces took Queen Liliuokalani into custody on January 16, 1895. They charged her with “misprision of treason” – knowing about treason but not reporting it.

They moved her from her home to Iolani Palace, which was now the headquarters for the Republic of Hawaii.

Just two years earlier, she had ruled from this same building as queen. The palace had changed from her royal home to the place where she would be tried, sentenced, and imprisoned.

The Queen’s Trial in the Throne Room

The Republic of Hawaii put Queen Liliuokalani on trial on February 5, 1895, in her former throne room. Eight military judges sat at a table where she once held royal meetings. Two Hawaiian police officers stood behind her during the trial.

Throughout the trial, Liliuokalani said she knew nothing about the rebellion plans. She denied any part in the uprising that tried to restore her to power.

The Queen’s Conviction and Sentencing

On February 27, 1895, the military court found Queen Liliuokalani guilty. They gave her the harshest punishment allowed: five years of hard labor and a $5,000 fine.

President Sanford Dole of the Republic quickly canceled the hard labor part of her sentence. Instead of prison work, she would stay confined in Iolani Palace.

Forced Abdication Under Duress

On January 24, 1895, before her trial even started, officials forced Queen Liliuokalani to sign papers giving up her throne. She formally gave up all future claims to rule Hawaii. They pressured her by threatening to execute her imprisoned supporters.

Many of these loyal followers faced death sentences for joining the failed rebellion. Liliuokalani later said she signed only “under duress” and felt the papers weren’t valid.

The Imprisonment Room

Guards kept Queen Liliuokalani in one upstairs bedroom in the corner of Iolani Palace for nearly eight months.

This room on the second floor became her cell. Officials allowed her only one lady companion as a visitor during this time. They even covered the windows.

The Queen’s Daily Life in Captivity

Queen Liliuokalani created a routine during her eight months locked in the palace. She started each day with prayers, keeping her faith despite her situation. She spent time reading books and music, doing crochet work, and making quilts.

These activities kept her mind active while her body was confined. Her supporters snuck news to her inside flower arrangements. During this time, she wrote songs about freedom and protest, expressing her feelings about her unfair treatment.

The Queen’s Quilt

During her imprisonment, Queen Liliuokalani made a large quilt with her companion. This 97 by 95 inch textile tells the story of her confinement. She stitched the words “Imprisoned at Iolani Palace… We began the quilt there…” in the center.

Around the royal coat of arms and Hawaiian flags, she embroidered dates of key events in Hawaiian history. The “crazy-style” quilt uses nine panels of fancy fabrics with messages about her hopes for Hawaii and its people.

Release and Continued Confinement

Officials released Queen Liliuokalani from Iolani Palace on September 6, 1895, after eight months. This wasn’t complete freedom, though. She remained under house arrest at Washington Place for five more months.

The government still limited where she could go and watched what she did. President Sanford Dole finally pardoned her on October 23, 1896, more than a year and a half after her arrest.

Despite her release, Liliuokalani kept fighting against Hawaii becoming part of the United States.

Visiting Iolani Palace

You’ll find Iolani Palace at the corner of King Street and Richards Street in downtown Honolulu. The palace offers both guided and self-led audio tours that take you through the meticulously restored royal apartments and state rooms.

Don’t miss the Imprisonment Room where Queen Liliuokalani was held, featuring her handcrafted quilt. The Crown Jewels exhibition in the basement displays royal regalia, including the Hawaiian Crown.

The palace grounds include the Barracks and the Coronation Pavilion, which you can explore after your main tour.

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