Kūʻē Petitions

The Kūʻē Petitions were a series of handwritten protests signed by thousands of Native Hawaiians in 1897 and 1898, opposing the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the annexation by the United States. These petitions expressed Native Hawaiians’ desire to restore their monarchy and maintain their independence, reflecting their opposition to foreign intervention and loss of sovereignty. Despite their powerful message, the U.S. government largely disregarded the petitions, leading to the annexation of Hawaii in 1898. The Kūʻē Petitions remain significant as a historical record of Native Hawaiian resistance and national identity.