Elections in Hawaiʻi

Elections, the selection of persons for office or the decision on an issue, is recent in Hawaiʻi history. Voting confirms the public’s concerns and interests. This exhibit highlights Hawaiʻi elections from 1873 to 1962.

During the Kingdom Era the first and only direct election to choose the ruling Mōʻī (King) took place in 1873. Prior to this the ruling monarch inherited the position. The United States, through a joint resolution of Congress in 1898, passed the Newlands Resolution annexing Hawaiʻi. In 1900, the U.S. Congress approved the Organic Act establishing the Territory of Hawaiʻi. President William McKinley signed it into law. Elections by residents then took place on a regular basis. The people elected individuals to local offices and delegates to Congress, including Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole. On August 21, 1959, after a popular vote of residents, Hawaiʻi became the 50th State of the U.S.

The Lyman Museum preserves a photograph collection of more than 38,000 catalogued images documenting a variety of topics including politics. To learn more, the Archives is open for research by appointment: https://lymanmuseum.org/archives/.

Note: Hawaiian diacritical marks comprise just two symbols: the ʻokina (glottal stop) and the kahakō (macron). We use them with Hawaiian place names, but do not add them to proper names if a family or a company does not use them.

Election of 1873. Portrait of King Lunalilo (1835-1874). Makaʻāinana men elected William Charles Lunalilo as Mōʻī on January 1, 1873. David Kalākaua, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Princess Ruth Keʻelikolani, and Queen Emma also appeared on the ballot. The legislature confirmed Lunalilo’s election on January 8, 1873. “The People’s King” served until his death on February 3, 1874.
Election of 1874. Portrait of King David Kalākaua (1836-1891). Following the death of Lunalilo, Queen Emma, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, and Kalākaua campaigned in the election of 1874. There was no vote of the people. The legislature elected David Kalākaua as King by a vote of 39 to 6. In his 19-year reign, the “Merry Monarch” made a diplomatic world tour in 1881 and built ʻIolani Palace in 1882.
Election of 1874. Representatives William Thomas Martin and William Luther Moehonua, with bandages on their heads, were attacked by other legislators because they supported Kalākaua. On February 12, 1874, the results of the election were announced with Kalākaua as the winner. Rumors of influence peddling and secret deals inflamed hatred. Supporters of Queen Emma injured 13 legislators at the Honolulu Courthouse. Representative J. W. Lonoaea later died from his injuries.
“Election Day – Puna,” ca. 1905. Behind the two mules in the foreground is a small building, possibly the Kapoho Post Office. Note the American flag on pole in center. W.H.C. Campbell was postmaster in Kapoho. Colorized Lantern Slide by Rev. Curtis E. Shields (1873-1943).
Hilo Courthouse, ca. 1900. It was the site of many elections. On September 22, 1900, the Hilo Tribune reported that the Board of Registration would hold multiple meetings to register voters. The Courthouse in Hilo was one of 17 sites around the island for the registration meetings. In 1905 the Territorial Legislature provided for the creation of counties.
Election of 1948. James Kealoha (1908-1983) was elected as Hawaiʻi County Chairman in 1948 and served 6 consecutive terms. This photo shows Lovey Mae Akamu, Harry Beddoe, and James Kealoha at the Hilo Hotel in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, February 6, 1959. In his last year as Mayor, Kealoha welcomed Harry Beddoe, a California realtor selling land in “Tropic Estates” in Puna. Lovey Mae Akamu was Miss Aloha, 1958-1959. The people elected Kealoha Lieutenant Governor in 1959.
Election of 1959. In 1959, voters elected William Hardy “Doc” Hill (1890-1970), a longtime territorial legislator from Hilo, to serve in the new State Senate. He was then chosen President of the Senate, the first during statehood. This photograph shows Hill with the Big Island Press Club in the 1960s. Hill served as a Territorial Senator (1928 – 1959) and then as State Senator (1959 – 1970). “Doc” acquired his nickname for selling eyeglasses (License No 1,) after his arrival in 1913. He opened Hill Optical and added a jewelry business. He also sold real estate and owned theaters.
Election of 1960. Luman N. Nevels and family on a parade float in Hilo, June 16, 1960. A sign on the float reads: “Grass Shacks Are Fine for Tourists, But… Modern Hawaii Needs Modern Government. Vote for Lu Nevels.” Luman N. Nevels, Jr. (1924-2012) was elected as a circuit court judge. People on the float include Lu Nevels, Mary Ann Nevels, Ranee, Joel, Lali. People called him “The Flying Judge,” because he flew his small plane to hold court around the Island of Hawaiʻi.
Election of 1962. The people of Hawaiʻi elected John Anthony Burns as Governor in 1962. He united various unions and ethnic groups. Burns is being interviewed, May 6, 1965. He was re-elected in 1966 and 1970. Burns worked as a Honolulu police officer before entering politics.
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