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Timeline / Defining Rights and Responsibilities / 1898: U.S. annexes Hawai‘i; seizes land; suppresses healers

1898: U.S. annexes Hawai‘i; seizes land; suppresses healers

The U.S. annexes Hawai‘i and seizes royal and government lands. Launching aggressive assimilation policies, the U.S. outlaws traditional healers known as kahuna. Punishments include fines and imprisonment.

Kahunas are not able to practice legally again until 1973.

Theme
Federal-Tribal Relations, Land and Water, Medicine Ways, Native Rights
Region
Hawai‘i

Hawaiian flag being lowered from ‘Iolani Palace on Annexation Day

Courtesy Hawai‘i State Archives