Rise of the Kingdom Of Hawaii

chris N · Sep 11, 2014

The Hawaiian government purchased of another vessel brought the fleet up to the recently overhauled Yacht , 2 gunboats and now two large steam/sail Frigates. These would be the last purchase for the navy for some time. The American Civil War was coming to an end and the question was would Hawaii still be able to sell all of the products to the US that it had been doing during the war. It was also clear that the whaling trade was now entering into a steady decline. Some of the vessels were ending up abandon because there was a lack of money to pay bills owed.
This was all of concern to both the Regent and the Hawaiian legislature.
Hawaii was seeing an importation of workers from both China and Japan.
The Polynesian population was rising , due to better healthcare but it still had a long way to go to make up the loses caused by European illnesses.

David S Poepoe · Sep 11, 2014

It would also be possible to get a few 'free' ships if those Confederate raiders, upon hearing of the end of the war, surrender in neutral ports - like Honolulu or Lahaina. One could possible get a warship and experienced crews, if they didn't want to return home, to add to a nucleus of a navy.

chris N · Sep 14, 2014

Several of the Confederate States Navy ships that were at sea decided not to surrender themselves to US authorities. A number of those vessels decided to make for the port of Honolulu. There they would turn themselves over to the Royal Hawaiian authorities. The confederate Raider Alabama had managed to lose the US warship that was attempting to engage it due to help from mother nature when a freak storm caused the US ship to lose them.
With word from a neutral ship that the Confederacy was coming to an end the captain set course for the Hawaiian Islands.

It appeared that he was not the only commander of a confederate warship to head to the port of Honolulu. Three other Confederate Warships also were in port when he arrived. The Vessels had been surrendered to the Royal Hawaiian government and a detachment of Hawaiian Sailors and Marines were aboard each ship.

Thus the Regent now had more than doubled the size of the Hawaiian Navy at no cost to the Hawaiian treasury. Of course to get the ships operational would require crews but this was a brilliant stroke of luck.
(David many thanks for the brilliant idea)

David S Poepoe · Sep 14, 2014

I had not thought about the Alabama since its demise made it more famous. I definitely had the CSS Shenandoah in mind.

chris N · Sep 15, 2014

The former CSS Shenandoah was in the port of Honolulu and was in the custody of the Royal Hawaiian Navy> It was now one of 4 ex-Confederate Warships that had entered the port and surrendered themselves to the Hawaiian Government. The officers and crews were currently being interviewed by the Royal Hawaiian Navy. The American government had requested the vessels be turned over to them along with the sailors but the Regent after discussions with the Privy Council had instructed the government to inform the US that said vessels were now the property of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Also the crews of the vessels were being interviewed and upon the competition of the process they would be free to go back to America or to anywhere else.
Already there were plains to offer positions in the Royal Hawaiian Navy to quite a few of these ex-Confederate sailors as the Royal Hawaiian Navy had a shortage of Officers and sailors in which to man said vessels.
The former CSS Shenandoah at dock in Honolulu. It was undergoing repairs before being accepted into the Royal Hawaiian Navy.( Any name suggestions for the new vessel as well as the Former CSS Alabama)

chris N · Sep 16, 2014

With a careful screening the Royal Hawaiian Navy recommended accepting 24 ex-Confederate Naval officers and 24NCO plus nearly 400 sailors into the Royal Hawaiian Navy. It was just the first group that had completed. All were required to swear an oath of allegiance to the Kingdom and to its Monarch.
The Regent signed the Commissions on behalf of his nephew . Thanks to the Arrival of the Confederate ships the Royal Hawaiian Navy had more than doubled in size and the ships had been acquired at no cost.

chris N · Sep 17, 2014

The US Consulate was protesting the Hawaiian taking of the vessels feeling that they were the property of the United States. The Regent wrote a letter to President Lincoln stating Hawaii's case.
The American President took some time to respond to the letter but explained that it was do to a resent unpleasantness which took place at the Ford Theater. It seemed that a group of disgruntled Southern extremest had tried to kill the American President but fortunately it had been foiled by some extremely dedicated people..
The President stated that his administration would no longer press the issue. He wished the Regent and the young King well. He also hoped that the vessels now joining the Royal Hawaiian Navy would do honor to that nation.

chris N · Sep 18, 2014

While the American Civil War had been the shot in the arm that it had need to grow the question was would the ending of it result in a drop of exports to the United States. It was this question that caused the Regent to call a meeting of the Privy Council. He wanted the nation to be ready. It was clear that Whaling was now in a decline. the number of ships that stopped in Hawaii was dropping. This also was bad new. At least 1 whaling ship had been seized by court order for nonpayment of bills owed to Hawaiian merchants.
In 1866 the Minster of Commerce reported to the government that Hawaiian export had continued to exceed imports. This was good new. The country also saw the start of a new newspaper the Hawaiian Herald.

chris N · Sep 19, 2014

The former CSS Savannah had been renamed Oahu and was leaving Hawaii on a show the flag mission to Australia. The crew was a mixture of former Confederates along with Hawaiians. The ship had done a shakedown cruise after its overhaul to the island of Midway. There a landing part of Sailors and Marines had officially raised the Hawaiian flag over the island. Officially Hawaii now claimed the island.
Then it returned to Hawaii and the captain issued a report to the Admiralty.. Then the ship left the next day for its first official voyage
to Australia as a ship of the Royal Hawaiian Navy.

chris N · Sep 22, 2014

1866 The US and Hawaii were conducting trade talks which were aimed at ensuring that Hawaii's products would receive what would in the 20th century be termed most favored nation status. Hawaii's government was still doing every thing possible to encourage trade and trying to diversify the Hawaiian economy. The young King was being schooled so that he might be prepared to take over the reigns of power when he reached the right age.
His mother left on a tour of the US and Europe in order to promote trade. While in Britain she met with Queen Victoria, who was her sons Godmother.

chris N · Sep 23, 2014

Thanks to the trade agreement signed with the United States Hawaii's economy continued to grow. It was that growth that allowed it to weather the loss of the whaling trade.
Those ex-Confederate Navy ships had also given the navy a lot of ships that it would in all probability not have gotten. There simply was not the money to have done it but nw Hawaii had a very powerful navy as well as one of the best trained armies in the Pacific.
The regent had a long talk with Queen Emma upon her return from her travels. She had dined in the White House with President Lincoln. The President had quite a few grey hairs. No doubt the late Civil War and the assassination attempt two years earlier had worn the President down. Still he was a great story teller. He also spent an hour asking the Queen about Hawaii.
He told her in private that he would not seek a third term. Two terms were enough for President Washington and they were enough for him. He wanted to travel outside of Washington for his last year in office. He had been a big supporter of the trans continental railroad and would like to travel on it to California.

chris N · Sep 26, 2014

Despite a growth in the Polynesian population workers were coming from both China and Japan. The economy was still growing but amny people were looking for some other item that could be grown or made to increase income. The future King in 1868 was celebrating his 10th birthday.
The Regent was being briefed at a new Healthcare threat . There were reports of an outbreak of Scarlet fever. Suggestions were made that there needed to be more health screening of people that were entering the country.

chris N · Sep 27, 2014

The Monarchy had been a big supporter both of Education and of improved healthcare The Royal College of Hawaii had benefited from grants by the Kamehameha Family of both Land and money. The School of Medicine had received an endowment by King Kamehameha III. This had continued. While great strides had been made there was always room for more progress. The Royal College had also see a School of Law added.
The public health and welfare was of utmost concern to both the Regent and to the Government of Hawaii. The contained outbreak of Scarlet Fever had resulted in additional proposals to insure that Immigrants to Hawaii were not bringing in any illnesses. But there was also concern for visitor also not bringing in something that might cause a health crisis.
The Country had now also set up a formal Naval Academy in the spring of 1869. A future Military school for the Army was being considerd. The Monarchy and the government continued to fund the education of outstanding Hawaiian student overseas. They for the most part returned and worked in schools, jobs and in the military adding to the growth of the nation.

chris N · Oct 3, 2014

Hawaii's economy continued to grow. The trade agreement signed with the United Stated had helped to insure that Hawaii's sale of products to the United States would not face a trade barrier. It was followed by an agreement with Great Britain which helped to open additional markets With a lack of natural resources Hawaii was doing everything possible to increase its exports.
Hawaii received an important visitor from the United States in the late summer of 1868. President Lincoln was completing his farewell tour of the Nation. In a few months there would be a new election and whoever won would be sworn in as the new President in March of 1869.
The President was making a lot of first. He was able to travel west by rail and also became the first President to visit California. He then decided to accept an invitation to visit Hawaii.
His visit was a first for the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Regent and his nephew the King played Host to the President. President Lincoln enjoyed talking to the 10 year old monarch as well as seeing the islands.

chris N · Oct 5, 2014

While Hawaii enjoyed the Prestige of hosting the President of the United States it was the trade agreement that had been worked on and signed by him and the Regent that was the greatest of news. Hawaii's economy depended upon selling a lot of products to he US foremost of them was sugar. Hawaii was now assured that it would not face tariffs on that product.
The President inspected the ships of the Hawaiian Navy at the request of the Regent. That might have been a problem 3 years earlier but President Lincolns actions with regard to the South and his assistance to the families of the former Confederate sailors, who wished to travel to Hawaii helped to heal them.

chris N · Oct 7, 2014

Hawaii was growing. The Royal college of Hawaii had seen some additions to its campus. Hawaii had the highest literacy rate of any nation in the Pacific.
Still the crown was continuing to help fund the study of Hawaiian citizens abroad to allow for the greatest improvement in knowledge in the field of medicine, engineering, shipbuilding and other fields.
Arriving back in Hawaii was Standford Dole, whole had completed his legal schooling in the United States and had returned to Hawaii to practice law.
The regent was ever grateful that the improvements in healthcare started by his cousin King Kamehameha III had helped to save the life of Chief Justice Lee. He just wished that it had been able to save his brother..
He somehow had a feeling that all was not right with himself. The courts doctor checked him out and said that he needed to rest more. Still his nephew the King was only 11 and he hoped that he would be around to continue to guide him.

chris N · Oct 9, 2014

Hawaii's economy was continuing to show progress. The country was now seen as a stop between Australia and the United States. Hawaii was also seeing the introduction of more modern communication. The Island had the electric telegraph. It had also seen lot of advancements such as a fire department.
A new Military barracks had been built near the Royal Palace.

The Regent had a meeting with Queen Emma as he was concern that something might happen to him before the King reached the age of majority. He had also reviewed a listing drawn up by King Kamehameha III regarding other possible candidates that could be considered for King should anything happen to the Kamehameha line.
The regent had been assured that the young King had completely recovered from the illness that had nearly killed him. They believed that he should have a long life.

chris N · Oct 13, 2014

Hawaii was continuing to evolve. Immigration continued as the sugar plantation brought in more workers from Japan and China. Some were questioning whether this was changing the character of the nation.
Hawaii had seen immigration from Europe and the United States as well. Indeed the Missionary movement had push Hawaii on a path that had lead its leaders to support both education and health.
Those improvements had lead to the Polynesian population slowly recovering from the illnesses that had caused such a massive number of death.

chris N · Oct 16, 2014

Queen Emma took the young King on a tour of the other Hawaiian Islands. The Young King thought of this as a great adventure it was the first time for him to visit his subjects on the other islands He was traveling aboard the former Yacht which had been transferred years ago to a naval training ship. With him were members of both the Royal Guards and the newly organized Hawaiian Secret Service. The economy continued to be growing and stable.
The Regent had met with the Prime Minister to discuss the country's budget and plans for the future. One of the four warships that had formerly served in the Confederate navy had been sent to Great Britain for a complete overhaul. It had been determined that the work needed to be done and it could not be done in Hawaii. Despite the trip needed to taken it was determined that it would be cost effective.
There was no plans to acquire a new warship for at least another 10 years.

chris N · Oct 23, 2014

1873 Hawaii's economy continued to grow. The country was also now
an important stop on the Australia to America shipping line. It also continue to receive a lot of improvements. The Regent and his Nephew had proclaimed a national holiday celebrating King Kamehameha I.
Unfortunately the Regent grew ill but he had been prepared, He had an aid deliever a letter to Queen Emma. It named her as the head of the Council of Regents in his place. She would serve in that Capacity until her son was found to be capable of ruling the country. The first chance would be when he turned 18 but in any case he would have all of the powers on his 21st birthday.