WHO S/HE WAS:

Sanford B. Dole was a politician and jurist of Hawaii as a kingdom, protectorate, republic and territory. Conspired with Ambassador John L. Stevens to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy of Queen Liliuokalani.

WHAT S/HE SAID:

I cannot help feeling that the chief end of this meeting is plantation profits, and the prosperity of the counrty, the demands of society, the future of the Hawaiian race only comes secondarily if at all.

WHY S/HE MATTERED:

In 1893, Sanford B. Dole participated in a coup to depose the reigning monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani. Following the coup, Dole was appointed president of a provisional government. U.S. President Grover Cleveland authorized an investigation into the matter and, concluded that Dole and others conspired with U.S. ambassador John L. Stevens to land United States Marine Corps, to forcibly remove the queen from power. When Cleveland demanded that she be reinstated, Dole refused.