Synopses & Reviews
"
The Queen and I will be a very important contribution to historical and political literature on early twentieth century Hawai'i. But through its intensely personal narrative, it could have an even greater impact on the way people look at history. Sydney Iaukea weaves archival information into a story about a well-known historical figure while demonstrating the impact of these archival voices on herself. In this way she binds herself to her ancestor and allows him to speak through her, showing how an ancient value can be a new methodology for Native writers in indigenous studies."
and#151;Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwoand#8217;ole Osorio, author of Dismembering Lahui: A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887
and#147;Raised in Mauiand#8217;s housing projects, Sydney Iaukea discovers as an adult that she is the direct descendent of Curtis P. Iaukea, a prominent statesman and trusted adviser to Queen Liliand#8217;uokalani, the Hawaiian Kingdomand#8217;s last ruling monarch. In this courageous work, she documents her dual quest to recover her lost lineage and her ancestorand#8217;s historical importance. Revealing the continuity between public and private, personal and historical, Sydney Iaukeaand#8217;s compelling narrative brings her readers face-to-face with Liliand#8217;uokalani during the tragic days of her overthrow.and#8221;
and#151;Mary Palevsky, author of Atomic Fragments: A Daughter's Questions
and#147;For those of us born and raised in Hawai'i, Sydney Iaukea's work sheds light on a period of time about which we still know too little, the overthrow of Hawaiand#8217;iand#8217;s sovereign government and its forcible annexation to the U.S. This is a compelling narrative, driven by the mystery of a girl growing up poor, unaware of her distinguished lineage. How could this disconnect have occurred? Through the exploration of memories embedded in the landscape, Iaukea ultimately links displacement, dispossession, and familial strife to Hawai'i's troubled history with the U.S. Iaukea is to be commended for her honest and open heart.and#8221;
and#151;Matthew M. Hamabata, Executive Director, The Kohala Center
Review
and#8220;A gripping and revelatory read, endowed with all the trappings of romance, melodrama and ghost story.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;The sensibility and lyricism shared by author and ancestor . . . inform their mutual desire to illuminate history and right wrongs.and#8221;
Synopsis
In this exposand#233; Sydney L. Iaukea ties personal memories to newly procured political information about Hawaiiand#8217;s crucial Territorial era. Spurred by questions surrounding intergenerational property disputes in her immediate family, she delves into Hawaiiand#8217;s historical archives. There she discovers the central role played by her great-great-grandfather in the politics of late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century Hawaiiand#151;in particular, Curtis P. Iaukeaand#8217;s trusted position with the Hawaiian Kingdomand#8217;s last ruling monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. As Iaukea charts her ancestorand#8217;s efforts to defend a culture under siege, she reveals astonishing legal and legislative maneuvers that show us how capitalism reshaped cultural relationships. She finds resonant parallels and connections between her own upbringing in Mauiand#8217;s housing projects, her familyand#8217;s penchant for hiding property, and the Hawaiian peoplesand#8217; loss of their country and lands.
About the Author
Sydney L. Iaukea holds a Ph.D. in political science with a specialty in Hawai?i politics. She is a dedicated community member, instructor, and avid surfer.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Family Secrets and Cartographic Silences: Chatty Maps and Memory
2. Land as the Vehicle: The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (1921) and Defining Nativeness
3. A Story of Political and Emotional Maneuverings: Queen Lili?uokalaniand#8217;s Trust Deed and the Crown Lands
4. and#147;E paa oukouand#8221; (You hold it): Charging Queen Lili?uokalani with Insanity and and#147;Holdingand#8221; the Trust Intact
5. The Final Insults: Kahoaka, Condemnation, the Lele of Hamohamo, Projects of and#147;Reclamation,and#8221; and Heartbreak
Epilogue
Appendix A. List of Commissions and Appointments Received by Colonel Curtis P. Iaukea
Appendix B. Queen Lili?uokalaniand#8217;s Deed of Trust
Appendix C. Queen Lili?uokalaniand#8217;s Petition to U.S. President William H. Taft
Notes
Bibliography
Index