Following the revolution of 1893 that deposed Queen Liliuokalani, Kauai-born Prince Kuhio joined a group of counter-revolutionists in Honolulu seeking to dismantle the recently formed Republic and restore the monarchy, and he subsequently participated in the counter-revolution of 1895. The
Following the revolution of 1893 that deposed Queen Liliuokalani, Kauai-born Prince Kuhio joined a group of counter-revolutionists in Honolulu seeking to dismantle the recently formed Republic and restore the monarchy, and he subsequently participated in the counter-revolution of 1895.
The counter-revolution was scheduled to commence on the evening of Jan. 3, 1895, but was delayed after Kuhio was informed that officers of the Republic had discovered that a secret shipment of counter-revolutionary weapons and ammunition was lying offshore of Oahu aboard the steamer “Waimanalo,” ready to be smuggled ashore.
Kuhio, along with Robert W. Wilcox and John Wise, then hastily paddled out to sea from Waikiki at dark in a canoe to warn William Davies, captain of the “Waimanalo.”
When they came alongside, the munitions had already been transferred into two boats the steamer had in tow. Wilcox took command of the boats and proceeded to Kahala, where the three men secretly buried the cargo.
The counter-revolution was then postponed to the evening of Sunday, Jan. 6, when the counter-revolutionists planned to seize all public buildings and take all officers of the Republic into custody.
That evening, while Kuhio, Wise and others assembled munitions at Kahala, a traitor in their ranks reported their activity to officials of the Republic.
When the Republic reacted soon after by declaring martial law and calling out Citizen Guards to patrol streets, Kuhio and Wise withdrew to Honolulu and were subsequently prevented from returning to Kahala by armed supporters of the Republic at Waikiki.
Skirmishing ensued, and at dawn, after Kuhio determined once again that he could not get through to Kahala, he returned to Honolulu, where he was soon arrested along with 200 others, including Queen Liliuokalani.
Robert W. Wilcox’s counter-revolutionary forces clashed with the Republic at Diamond Head on Jan. 6 and 7, and later on the Jan. 7 at Moiliili, and were finally defeated at Manoa on Jan. 9.
Prince Kuhio was tried and jailed for a few months in 1895.
