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Stolen Kingdom
BUDNICK, Rich. Stolen Kingdom: An American Conspiracy. Honolulu: Aloha Press (Publisher: P.O. Box 4183, Honolulu, Hawaii 96812), 1992. 204 pp. ISBN: 0944081029 (pa) $11.99. Index. Bib. Illus (b&w).
Rich Budnick’s Stolen Kingdom: An American Conspiracy provides vividly interesting, highly informative and poignant account of the capture of the Hawaiian Kingdom by self-interested foreign missionaries, sugar plantation and ranch owners and military expansionists long desiring Hawaii’s beautiful landscapes and strategic location in the Pacific. Moreover, his book is rather unique to have an introduction by former Hawaii State Governor John Waihee, who begins: “The history of the overthrown of the Hawaiian monarchy and of American annexation remains controversial a century later, although the documentary record is clear.”
This book is notable and helpful in its use of key primarily sources to support and explain this turbulent period resulting in betrayal and subjugation of the proud Hawaiian people. Rich Budnick’s historical analysis looks at specific official documents and personal correspondences of significant individuals, including those of Queen Lili’uokalani and U.S. President Cleveland and McKinley and the many conspirators – Lorrin Thurston, General John Schofield and others. What's more, the author brings this book to life with timeless and historic photos acquired from the Hawaii State Archives and from the U.S. Military Academy Museum.
In reading the pages, Mr. Budnick presents details of the fragility of the island Kingdom in its struggle for respect and proper recognition within a world abound of European imperialism and U.S. Manifest Destiny competing and seeking to control global commerce by illegally seizing other people’s land and property –- and destroying or enslaving the indigenous people in the process. The author does a wonderful job of enlightening his readers on efforts by the Hawaiian people, especially the peaceful, yet futile, efforts by Queen Lili’uokalani to prevent the conspirators from succeeding in their occupation of a sovereign nation and future exploit of her people and culture.
Indeed, Rich Budnick is a well-qualified author to write of Hawaii history; he has degrees in History, Political Science and Government. Moreover, he has worked public jobs as a Public Information Officer for the State of Hawaii, and previously as a Legislative Assistant for the California State Legislature. His previous (and co-authored) books were: Hawaiian Street Names: The Complete Guide to O’ahu Street Name and Maui Street Names: The Hawaiian Dictionary and History of Maui Street Names.
This reviewer decidedly recommends this book for people of all ages and background who desire knowledge of Hawaiian history. Rich Budnick’s book belongs in every public, school and academic library in Hawaii. This book is a valuable source to discover undisputable truths capable of enlightening the reader’s mind to a new level of consciousness.
Rich Budnick’s Stolen Kingdom: An American Conspiracy provides vividly interesting, highly informative and poignant account of the capture of the Hawaiian Kingdom by self-interested foreign missionaries, sugar plantation and ranch owners and military expansionists long desiring Hawaii’s beautiful landscapes and strategic location in the Pacific. Moreover, his book is rather unique to have an introduction by former Hawaii State Governor John Waihee, who begins: “The history of the overthrown of the Hawaiian monarchy and of American annexation remains controversial a century later, although the documentary record is clear.”
This book is notable and helpful in its use of key primarily sources to support and explain this turbulent period resulting in betrayal and subjugation of the proud Hawaiian people. Rich Budnick’s historical analysis looks at specific official documents and personal correspondences of significant individuals, including those of Queen Lili’uokalani and U.S. President Cleveland and McKinley and the many conspirators – Lorrin Thurston, General John Schofield and others. What's more, the author brings this book to life with timeless and historic photos acquired from the Hawaii State Archives and from the U.S. Military Academy Museum.
In reading the pages, Mr. Budnick presents details of the fragility of the island Kingdom in its struggle for respect and proper recognition within a world abound of European imperialism and U.S. Manifest Destiny competing and seeking to control global commerce by illegally seizing other people’s land and property –- and destroying or enslaving the indigenous people in the process. The author does a wonderful job of enlightening his readers on efforts by the Hawaiian people, especially the peaceful, yet futile, efforts by Queen Lili’uokalani to prevent the conspirators from succeeding in their occupation of a sovereign nation and future exploit of her people and culture.
Indeed, Rich Budnick is a well-qualified author to write of Hawaii history; he has degrees in History, Political Science and Government. Moreover, he has worked public jobs as a Public Information Officer for the State of Hawaii, and previously as a Legislative Assistant for the California State Legislature. His previous (and co-authored) books were: Hawaiian Street Names: The Complete Guide to O’ahu Street Name and Maui Street Names: The Hawaiian Dictionary and History of Maui Street Names.
This reviewer decidedly recommends this book for people of all ages and background who desire knowledge of Hawaiian history. Rich Budnick’s book belongs in every public, school and academic library in Hawaii. This book is a valuable source to discover undisputable truths capable of enlightening the reader’s mind to a new level of consciousness.
Submitted in April 2006 by Kevin Khamkongsay, LIS Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
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