FEBRUARY 12, 1874

HONOLULU COURTHOUSE RIOT

After King Lunalilo died on February 3, 1874, an election to succeed him was held by the Hawaiian Legislature at the Old Courthouse. The Legislature chose David Kalākaua over Queen Emma (widow of King Kamehameha IV) by a vote of 39 – 6. Angry Emma supporters (“Queenites,” or “Emmaites”) attacked the committee sent to notify Kalākaua of his election, as well as several other legislators (1 died from injuries), before besieging the courthouse. With the Hawaiian army disbanded, the militias unreliable, and Honolulu police joining in the unrest, the Minister of Foreign Affairs requested aid from the American Minister Resident & British Consul General. Detachments of U.S. Marines from the ships Tuscarora and Portsmouth and British sailors from the HMS Tenedos, landed and restored order. A week later, the forces were withdrawn. Kalākaua took the oath on February 13 and Queen Emma acknowledged his election.

Source: Peter T. Young, “Election Riot of 1874,” Images of Old Hawai’i, 2/12/2020.  Retrieved 10/11/2022, Election Riot of 1874 | Images of Old Hawaiʻi (imagesofoldhawaii.com)

Photo:  Author unknown, February 1874. Gatling guns and soldiers in front of the Honolulu Courthouse, during the 1874 Honolulu Courthouse riot. Public Domain. Source:  United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ds.09902.