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Preserving the heritage of Hawai'i - Diplomatic and cultural Ambassadors and Consuls

Hawaii's Treaty with Spain

The Hawaiian Kingdom took pride in promoting the heritage and culture of the Hawaiian islands and preserving and protecting it's sovereignty through diplomatic relations with the international community. This was done through the exchange of Consuls.

During the 1800's, diplomats were referred to as Consuls or Legates. King Kamehameha III, in order to avoid the threat of foreign encroachment on Hawaiian territory, dispatched a delegation to the United States and to Europe empowered to settle any difficulties with other nations, and negotiate treaties. Their duty was to secure the recognition of Hawaiian Independence from any of the major powers of the world.

The Hawaiian delegation, whilst in the US, secured the assurance of President Tyler that the US would recognize Hawaii's independence. They then traveled to Europe and secured formal recognition from both Great Britain and France.

The King's Foreign Agents

Then over time with the endorsement of all subsequent Monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom, International representation grew to around 25 registered consulates with the addition of a number of legations.

Listed below are the Hawaiian Consulates that were present in foreign States as at 1892:

  1. United States of America in the cities of New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, San Diego, Boston, Portland, Port Townsend and Seattle;
  2. Mexico in Mexico city and the city of Manzanillo; Guatemala;
  3. Peru in the city of Callao;
  4. Chile in the city of Valparaiso;
  5. Uruguay in the city of Monte Video;
  6. Philippines (former Spanish territory) in the city of Iloilo and Manila;
  7. Great Britain in the cities of London, Bristol, Hull, Newcastle on Tyne, Falmouth, Dover, Cardiff and Swansea, Edinburgh and Leith, Glasgow, Dundee, Queenstown, Belfast;
  8. Ireland (former British territory) in the cities of Liverpool, and Dublin;
  9. Canada (former British territory) in the cities of Toronto, Montreal, Bellville, Kingston Rimouski, St. John’s, Varmouth, Victoria, and Vancouver;
  10. Australia (former British territory) in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, and Launceston;
  11. New Zealand (former British territory) in the cities of Auckland and Dunedin;
  12. China in the cities of Hong Kong and Shanghai;
  13. France in the cities of Paris, Marseilles, Bordeaux, Dijon, Libourne and Papeete;
  14. Germany in the cities of Bremen, Hamburg, Frankfort, Dresden and Karlsruhe;
  15. Austria in the city of Vienna;
  16. Spain in the cities of Barcelona, Cadiz, Valencia Malaga, Cartegena, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz and Arrecife de Lanzarote;
  17. Portugal in the cities of Lisbon, Oporto Madeira, and St. Michaels;
  18. Cape Verde (former Portuguese territory) in the city of St. Vincent;
  19. Italy in the cities of Rome, Genoa, and Palermo;
  20. Netherlands in the cities of Amsterdam and Dordrecht;
  21. Belgium in the cities of Antwerp, Ghent, Liege and Bruges;
  22. Sweden in the cities of Stockholm, Lyskil, and Gothemburg;
  23. Norway in the city of Oslo (formerly known as Kristiania);
  24. Denmark in the city of Copenhagen; and
  25. Japan in the city of Tokyo.

The foreign Consulates in the Hawaiian Kingdom included the United States of America, Italy, Chile, Germany, Sweden-Norway, Denmark, Peru, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Great Britain, Mexico and China.

In the 20th century we saw the title of Consul change to one of Ambassador, the most senior diplomatic representative heading up an Embassy. The new role for Consuls was to represent more localized areas and reported directly to an Ambassador. Then towards the latter part of the 20th Century, the term Ambassador was also being used in a less formal sense. An Ambassador title is now often used for high-profile 'non-diplomatic' representatives of various entities, mainly cultural and charitable organizations. For example, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors.

And as guardians of the heritage of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the House of Kamakahelei will continue to establish 'Cultural Embassies' around the world in order to promote the Royal Heritage of the Kingdom of Hawaii and protect the sacred culture of the Hawaiian people.

 

'Imua' - move forward with strength and confidence!