This was a fairly convoluted mess.
Hawaii became a prized location for it's production of pineapples and other highly valuable products.
It attracted the likes of American, European money men - big business men with the knowledge of how to build their own little country.
Hawaii also attracted a mega amount of foreign laborers -- from South America and, most dangerously, Japan.
Queen Liliuokalani BEGGED the US to annex Hawaii 3 times.
In 1898 President of the United States William McKinley signed the treaty of annexation for Hawaii, but it failed in the Senate.
The American/European business interests had a LOT of pull --- a lot of people in Washington had money invested in it also.
These American/European business interests decided to take over the country for themselves -- exactly what the Queen was afraid of.
After the failure, Hawaii was annexed by means of joint resolution, called the Newlands Resolution.
The American/Europeans decided to set up a government totally amongst themselves -- making their own little country.
Which would be awesome for THEM -- the US power sitting in the harbor.
Queen Liliuokalani knew this and needed to get the Hawaiian back into Hawaii and be citizens instead of hard labor--- she requested to the US once again for full annexation of Hawaii to the US and sited unlawful take-over of government offices and the removal of the royal family.
With Japan watching everything -- the US Senate finally decided full annexation, which would eventually advance to statehood.
It would also curb the activities of their citizens with illusions of kindomship.
