14. The Republic of Hawaii and Annexation
In 1894, Sanford B. Dole and his allies declared the Republic of Hawaii, solidifying their control and further distancing the islands from their royal past. Despite lingering opposition from native Hawaiians, the republic’s leaders lobbied intensely for U.S. annexation. Their efforts paid off in 1898, when Hawaii was formally annexed by the United States, laying the groundwork for eventual statehood. This pivotal transformation forever altered the islands’ identity and future. More on Hawaii’s annexation.
