In 1895, two years after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, Queen Liliʻuokalani was arrested and tried before a military tribunal for misprision of treason - knowledge of treason and failure to disclose the information to the government. She was found guilty of the charge.
“Mai Poina: The Trial of a Queen,” is a living history performance led by Hawaiian scholars and leaders. During the performance, audience members will be transported to a Honolulu of 1895 by costumed role-players who will discuss then reenact the queen’s trial.The historic reenactments will take place in Aliʻiōlani Hale, the former seat of government of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.
Attendees will receive a viewer’s guide that supplies a historical timeline, essays by Hawai‘i history and legal scholars, primary sources in Hawaiian with translations, and archival photographs from the period.
Mai Poina (Never Forget) is sponsored by the Hawai‘i Pono‘ī Coalition, a consortium of Native Hawaiian-serving organizations including Kamehameha Schools. To reserve a space go to the event registration website or call 534-8880. Admission is free, but courtroom seating is limited.
MAI POINA: NEVER FORGET. . .
1893
January 16 – U.S. Marines land in Honolulu Harbor
January 17 – Queen Liliʻuokalani “yields” to the forces of the U.S.
July 17 – A Committee of Safety comprised of businessmen and government officials proclaims itself the Provisional Government
December 18 – A treaty to annex the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi to the U.S. is withdrawn
1894
July 4 – The Provisional Government is renamed the Republic of Hawaiʻi
1895
January 6 – Royalist Robert Wilcox leads a rebellion to restore the monarchy
January 16 – The queen is arrested and charged with misprision of treason for allegedly knowing about the rebellion, but failing to disclose the information to the government
January 24 – Liliʻuokalani relinquishes her crown, “under duress”
February 5 – The queen is tried before a military tribunal for misprision of treason in the throne room of ʻIolani Palace, and is found guilty of the charge
February 27 – Queen Liliʻuokalani is sentenced to five years hard labor, $5,000 and is imprisoned in the palace
September 6 – The queen is “paroled” by Stanford B. Dole, self-appointed president of the Republic of Hawaiʻi
1896
February 6 – The queen is “pardoned” by Stanford B. Dole
Mai Poina: The Trial of a Queen
WHEN:
Fridays
February 20 and 27
7 p.m.
Saturdays
February 21 and 28
7 p.m.
Sundays
February 22 and March 1
2 p.m.
WHERE:
Aliʻiōlani Hale across from ʻIolani Palace
RESERVATIONS:
E kala mai. Reservations are no longer being taken for “Mai Poina: The Trial of a Queen.” To be placed on a waiting list, call 534-8880 and leave your name, phone number, preferred performance time, and the number of people in your party.
The Mai Poina staff will contact you as soon as possible. Seating is extremely limited and admission for wait-listed guests is not guaranteed.
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