The Queen's Gambit: The Cabinet of Queen Lili’uokalani, 1891

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 25 delegates

Before the annexation of Hawaii in 1898, a monarchy ruled. The first sustained foreign influence to reach the islands came in the form of religious missionaries, but after word of potential economic opportunities spread, many foreign (especially American) businesses began to integrate into the Hawaiian economy. Capitalism took over traditional agricultural techniques, and foreign businessmen and immigrants became the elite while native Hawaiians were pushed down the socioeconomic ladder. Originally, King Kamehameha III supported potential US annexation in the 1850s, but his successor and the American Civil War prohibited those plans. In 1875, a reciprocity agreement was signed between Hawaii and the United States, allowing for tariff-free trade with the US, but also creating economic dependence. However, in 1890, the McKinley Tariff was signed by the US, granting other exporters more rights to trade and export sugar (Hawaii’s main export) to the US, therefore crippling their economy. Because the United States and their businessmen in Hawaii benefited so heavily from the trade, they acted to protect their interests. In 1888, the “Bayonet Constitution'' was signed by King Kalākaua, under heavy American pressure, taking away the authority of the monarchy and land rights of indigenous Hawaiians, as well as giving more power to wealthy American landowners. After the death of King Kalākaua in 1891, Queen Lili’uokalani took the throne. The Queen is fervent in her desire to limit the power and influence of foreign businesses, eliminate Hawaii’s dependence on the US, and restore the rights of indigenous Hawaiians. Delegates will take the role of members of her cabinet as they attempt to chart a future for the islands under immense international and domestic pressure. 

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Restoring Hawaiian Sovereignty over the Islands

Confronting Foreign Influence

Improving Economic Performance and Equality for Native Hawaiians

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• To understand the impacts of multinational firms on the economics and politics of foreign countries, as well as their political significance. 

• To learn the history of Hawaii in the United States and the sources of the state’s unique cultural and political heritage.

• To understand the intersection between political and cultural self-determination and the impact of historical crises on modern-day situations. 

About the Chair

Gregory Levesque is a member of the class of 2025 in Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. Originally from California just north of LA, Greg is majoring in Science, Technology, and International Affairs, while minoring in International Business Diplomacy and Diplomatic Studies. In addition to staffing NCSC and its sister conference NAIMUN for three consecutive years serving in every role from being a CA to on Secretariat, Greg also competes with Georgetown’s travel Model UN team as our most willing ad hoc warrior (he loves it for sure). When he’s not doing Model UN, you can catch him with his homies, engaging in patriotic American activities like defending Congress against the TikTok ban fallout as the hill’s strongest intern, or putting Greg-themed stickers around campus, which is a favorite pastime of his. Greg has sold his soul to finance and venture capital, shilling for Silicon Valley so he can afford expensive food and a better house for his dog. He loves his life and has never cried once, except when Kevin leaves him :( 

About the Crisis manager

Kevin Li is a member of the Class of 2025 in the Walsh School of Foreign Service who is pursuing a major in International Politics with minors in History and Japanese. He is from a small town called Hilo on the Big Island of Hawai'i, which, despite the state's reputation for sunshine and paradise, is ranked as one of the rainiest cities in the US. Kevin has also served as the Director of Delegate Affairs for NCSC, Georgetown’s collegiate Model UN conference, the Chief Financial Officer for the Georgetown International Relations Association (GIRA), and a Crisis Manager for the past two iterations of NAIMUN. Aside from MUN, he has also been involved in on-campus organizations like Georgetown Global Consulting, the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, the D.C. Schools Project, and the Georgetown Club Swim Team. He also follows NCAA and professional swimming as well as the Green Bay Packers closely. He is extremely excited to serve as a Crisis Manager alongside his best friend!