Humorous Wedding Monologue
Sadie: It is a pleasure to meet with you today.
Queen: Thank you! I am very excited. Shall we begin the interview now?
Sadie: Yes, of course! Let’s start from when you started your walk to royalty.
Queen: I became a member of the court of Kamehameha IV as a young lady. When I grew older, I married John Owen Dominis.
Sadie: About your husband, I’ve heard he was not born into royalty. Is that true?
Queen: Yes, all rumors are true. He is only a son of a ship captain who had moved his family to Honolulu in 1837. It was not a typical marriage, but it worked out very well.
Sadie: Pardon me for interrupting again, but when did you actually begin to know that you were going to become queen one day?
Queen: Oh, yes! I completely forgot. …show more content…
In the year of 1847, I believe, my older brother, David Kalakaua, was named king. My younger brother, William Pitt Leleiohoku, died in the following three years. Since then, I was announced as David's heir apparent. I was then named princess Liliuokalani.
Sadie: Wow, that is amazing!
I never heard that your younger brother was going to become the next king. What happened when you were preparing to become queen, anything big?
Queen: In the following years, I tried to lay the best foundation for my future by establishing schools for Hawaiian children. I also served as a regent during the king’s 1881 tour of the world.
Sadie: Everything seemed so perfect. You tried your best and you succeeded by far. Anything else?
Queen: Everything was going well, then the smallpox epidemic hit the …show more content…
island.
Sadie: Oh, yes! I completely forgot about that huge epidemic. What did you do to take care of it?
Queen: This epidemic led me to close my ports. I was then thanked by many locals because they were blocked from anyone with disease. Since the ports were closed, nobody was allowed to leave or enter the island. On the other hand, I was despised by sugarcane growers because they could not make profit after selling sugar.
Sadie: Why was sugar a huge deal? Was there any way the sugar-cane growers could find a new occupation?
Queen: As you know, Hawaii was known for selling and making huge profit off of sugar, so many farmers were furiated. It was hard at the time to find a new job, so that was there best bet.
Sadie: That must be hard to have so many opinions about you. Luckily, you became queen so none of that matters.
Queen: I never minded that anyway, so I was completely fine. Even though my year did not start off well, I had the huge opportunity to accompany Kalakaua’s queen on a trip to attend Queen Victoria’s Golden jubilee in England. While traveling, I learned that the king had been threatened by an army militia to sign the new constitution.
Sadie: What new constitution?
Queen: The constitution limited the power of the monarchy. I was scared for the king, but I knew he would be safe. It is not often that one gets to act as an official envoy of the queen, so I made the best of it.
Sadie: What did you do when you made it back home?
Queen: When I arrived home, everything was normal until Kalakaua passed away. That was when I succeeded him and became the first female monarch ever to rule Hawaii.
Sadie: Pardon for interrupting again, but how did it feel to become a queen? It must have been a very surreal moment for you.
Queen: It felt amazing, however, I had a lot of factors against me. One factor against me was the new tax. This tax revoked Hawaiian sugar’s “free and favored entry” status and had a devastating impact on sugar industry in Hawaii. Also, the economy was severely damaged. The legislature, composed of mostly Americans, resisted my temptation to organize a new cabinet. Also, when I tried to institute a new constitution, prominent American businessmen called upon the US government to intervene.
Sadie: Wow, I never knew that. That must have been a very tough time for you, especially because you were new at this.
Queen: Yes, it was. On the bright side, I drafted a new constitution that restored the veto power to the monarchy and the voting rights to economically disenfranchise native Hawaiians and Asians.
Sadie: How did your people react to this new law?
Queen: Some people were against it. A few people even wanted to dispose me because they said I virtually resigned by refusing to support the 1857 Constitution! Business interests with the kingdom were upset. They viewed me as leading poorly. I believe that American businessmen, like Charles R. Bishop, expressed an anxiety concerning a female head of state.
Sadie: Are you okay to talk about your overthrow?
Queen: Yes, it is not the best thing to talk about but I completely understand why you would bother. It all began on January 14, 1863. On that day, a group of Americans and Europeans formed a committee of safety. They wanted three things: overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii, depose me, and seek annexation by the United States. When they tried to overthrow me, I was devastated. I had no plan to give my thrown up for America. I even sent in a statement yielding my authority to the United States Government rather than the Provisional Government.
Sadie: I heard you were then put in prison and had hard labor. What was it like?
Queen: On January 16, 1895, I was sentenced five years of hard labor in prison and fined $5,000. I abdicated my throne in return for the release of my jail supporters. My jail supporters, Minister Joseph Nawahi, Prince Kawananakoa, Robert Wilcox, and Prince Kuhio were placed in jail for a silly reason, so I decided to save them from jail. I was not a hero, but I knew I had to change the agony they went through. I was then placed in house arrest for a year. The first night in prison was the longest night of my life, but I turned to God and felt great comfort. I spent a few minutes in prayer. Only people who have been treated harshly or who have been in jail can truly understand the horrors and scary feeling while behind bars.
Sadie: I can not imagine myself in your shoes. What would you do all day when you were under house arrest?
Queen: I was imprisoned up stairs and spent my time making music.
I composed most of my songs up there, one of which being my most famous, “Aloha ‘Oe”
Sadie: I love your songs! What was the background story behind “Aloha ‘Oe”? I have always wanted to know your inspiration to writing beautiful songs.
Queen: My inspiration was the people in Hawaii. Many people slowly and affectionately bid each other farewell, that is why we famously us this song as a farewell to Hawaii as they lost their independence.
Sadie: Okay, now back to your imprisonment.
Queen: Oh, yes, of course. I was forced to sign many documents and my jailers made me sign using “Liliuokalani Dominis” to humiliate myself in front of the whole world. On top of all the drama, I missed my family, especially my niece.
Sadie: What was special about your niece?
Queen: I designated my niece as my heir and I used to travel a lot with her. Our favorite trips were to Washington when we tried to convince Cleveland to restore Hawaiian monarchy. We were not successful, but we made the best of it.
Sadie: That is a lot of fun and I still can’t wrap my head around the treatment you must have gone through.
Queen: That is what many people say, but once I got used to it, so I was
fine.
Sadie: Were there any last-ditch efforts to restore your power or had you given up at that point?
Queen: Before I was taken over, I was the leader of the “Oni pa’a” (“Stand Firm”) movement. This group fought steadfastly against U.S. annexation of Hawaii. As I said before, I visited Washington and asked Cleveland about this, and it did not work. One reason was because his successor, William McKinley, was completely against me. Even though this group got rejected, I believe they were still fighting for me when I was imprisoned. I began to lose hope.
Sadie: I see today that that did not work. What happened when you were released?
Queen: When I was released as a private citizen, I continued to live in Honolulu and pursue interests in traditional Hawaiian music and culture. Up until today I have made one hundred fifty-eight songs and I am working on another one right now.
Sadie: Well, what about your siblings? I have not heard much about them.
Queen: How could I forget my siblings! We were regarded by Hawaiian music Hall of Fame as the Na Lani ‘Eha (The Royal Four) for our patronage and enrichment of Hawaii's Musical culture and history. That was a super special time in my life and I am proud to be who I ended up being after all the hardships in my life.
Sadie: Thank you for letting me interview you today! I had a great time speaking to you and hope I see you around!
Queen: No, thank you! I had a splendid time and you can come back anytime you want.
Queen: Thank you! I am very excited. Shall we begin the interview now?
Sadie: Yes, of course! Let’s start from when you started your walk to royalty.
Queen: I became a member of the court of Kamehameha IV as a young lady. When I grew older, I married John Owen Dominis.
Sadie: About your husband, I’ve heard he was not born into royalty. Is that true?
Queen: Yes, all rumors are true. He is only a son of a ship captain who had moved his family to Honolulu in 1837. It was not a typical marriage, but it worked out very well.
Sadie: Pardon me for interrupting again, but when did you actually begin to know that you were going to become queen one day?
Queen: Oh, yes! I completely forgot. …show more content…
In the year of 1847, I believe, my older brother, David Kalakaua, was named king. My younger brother, William Pitt Leleiohoku, died in the following three years. Since then, I was announced as David's heir apparent. I was then named princess Liliuokalani.
Sadie: Wow, that is amazing!
I never heard that your younger brother was going to become the next king. What happened when you were preparing to become queen, anything big?
Queen: In the following years, I tried to lay the best foundation for my future by establishing schools for Hawaiian children. I also served as a regent during the king’s 1881 tour of the world.
Sadie: Everything seemed so perfect. You tried your best and you succeeded by far. Anything else?
Queen: Everything was going well, then the smallpox epidemic hit the …show more content…
island.
Sadie: Oh, yes! I completely forgot about that huge epidemic. What did you do to take care of it?
Queen: This epidemic led me to close my ports. I was then thanked by many locals because they were blocked from anyone with disease. Since the ports were closed, nobody was allowed to leave or enter the island. On the other hand, I was despised by sugarcane growers because they could not make profit after selling sugar.
Sadie: Why was sugar a huge deal? Was there any way the sugar-cane growers could find a new occupation?
Queen: As you know, Hawaii was known for selling and making huge profit off of sugar, so many farmers were furiated. It was hard at the time to find a new job, so that was there best bet.
Sadie: That must be hard to have so many opinions about you. Luckily, you became queen so none of that matters.
Queen: I never minded that anyway, so I was completely fine. Even though my year did not start off well, I had the huge opportunity to accompany Kalakaua’s queen on a trip to attend Queen Victoria’s Golden jubilee in England. While traveling, I learned that the king had been threatened by an army militia to sign the new constitution.
Sadie: What new constitution?
Queen: The constitution limited the power of the monarchy. I was scared for the king, but I knew he would be safe. It is not often that one gets to act as an official envoy of the queen, so I made the best of it.
Sadie: What did you do when you made it back home?
Queen: When I arrived home, everything was normal until Kalakaua passed away. That was when I succeeded him and became the first female monarch ever to rule Hawaii.
Sadie: Pardon for interrupting again, but how did it feel to become a queen? It must have been a very surreal moment for you.
Queen: It felt amazing, however, I had a lot of factors against me. One factor against me was the new tax. This tax revoked Hawaiian sugar’s “free and favored entry” status and had a devastating impact on sugar industry in Hawaii. Also, the economy was severely damaged. The legislature, composed of mostly Americans, resisted my temptation to organize a new cabinet. Also, when I tried to institute a new constitution, prominent American businessmen called upon the US government to intervene.
Sadie: Wow, I never knew that. That must have been a very tough time for you, especially because you were new at this.
Queen: Yes, it was. On the bright side, I drafted a new constitution that restored the veto power to the monarchy and the voting rights to economically disenfranchise native Hawaiians and Asians.
Sadie: How did your people react to this new law?
Queen: Some people were against it. A few people even wanted to dispose me because they said I virtually resigned by refusing to support the 1857 Constitution! Business interests with the kingdom were upset. They viewed me as leading poorly. I believe that American businessmen, like Charles R. Bishop, expressed an anxiety concerning a female head of state.
Sadie: Are you okay to talk about your overthrow?
Queen: Yes, it is not the best thing to talk about but I completely understand why you would bother. It all began on January 14, 1863. On that day, a group of Americans and Europeans formed a committee of safety. They wanted three things: overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii, depose me, and seek annexation by the United States. When they tried to overthrow me, I was devastated. I had no plan to give my thrown up for America. I even sent in a statement yielding my authority to the United States Government rather than the Provisional Government.
Sadie: I heard you were then put in prison and had hard labor. What was it like?
Queen: On January 16, 1895, I was sentenced five years of hard labor in prison and fined $5,000. I abdicated my throne in return for the release of my jail supporters. My jail supporters, Minister Joseph Nawahi, Prince Kawananakoa, Robert Wilcox, and Prince Kuhio were placed in jail for a silly reason, so I decided to save them from jail. I was not a hero, but I knew I had to change the agony they went through. I was then placed in house arrest for a year. The first night in prison was the longest night of my life, but I turned to God and felt great comfort. I spent a few minutes in prayer. Only people who have been treated harshly or who have been in jail can truly understand the horrors and scary feeling while behind bars.
Sadie: I can not imagine myself in your shoes. What would you do all day when you were under house arrest?
Queen: I was imprisoned up stairs and spent my time making music.
I composed most of my songs up there, one of which being my most famous, “Aloha ‘Oe”
Sadie: I love your songs! What was the background story behind “Aloha ‘Oe”? I have always wanted to know your inspiration to writing beautiful songs.
Queen: My inspiration was the people in Hawaii. Many people slowly and affectionately bid each other farewell, that is why we famously us this song as a farewell to Hawaii as they lost their independence.
Sadie: Okay, now back to your imprisonment.
Queen: Oh, yes, of course. I was forced to sign many documents and my jailers made me sign using “Liliuokalani Dominis” to humiliate myself in front of the whole world. On top of all the drama, I missed my family, especially my niece.
Sadie: What was special about your niece?
Queen: I designated my niece as my heir and I used to travel a lot with her. Our favorite trips were to Washington when we tried to convince Cleveland to restore Hawaiian monarchy. We were not successful, but we made the best of it.
Sadie: That is a lot of fun and I still can’t wrap my head around the treatment you must have gone through.
Queen: That is what many people say, but once I got used to it, so I was
fine.
Sadie: Were there any last-ditch efforts to restore your power or had you given up at that point?
Queen: Before I was taken over, I was the leader of the “Oni pa’a” (“Stand Firm”) movement. This group fought steadfastly against U.S. annexation of Hawaii. As I said before, I visited Washington and asked Cleveland about this, and it did not work. One reason was because his successor, William McKinley, was completely against me. Even though this group got rejected, I believe they were still fighting for me when I was imprisoned. I began to lose hope.
Sadie: I see today that that did not work. What happened when you were released?
Queen: When I was released as a private citizen, I continued to live in Honolulu and pursue interests in traditional Hawaiian music and culture. Up until today I have made one hundred fifty-eight songs and I am working on another one right now.
Sadie: Well, what about your siblings? I have not heard much about them.
Queen: How could I forget my siblings! We were regarded by Hawaiian music Hall of Fame as the Na Lani ‘Eha (The Royal Four) for our patronage and enrichment of Hawaii's Musical culture and history. That was a super special time in my life and I am proud to be who I ended up being after all the hardships in my life.
Sadie: Thank you for letting me interview you today! I had a great time speaking to you and hope I see you around!
Queen: No, thank you! I had a splendid time and you can come back anytime you want.