Minister to Hawaii
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The Minister to Hawai'i was an office of the United States Department of State to the Kingdom of Hawai'i during the period of 1810 to 1893. Appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of Congress, the Minister to Hawai'i was equivalent in rank to the present-day ambassador of the United States to foreign governments. As principal envoy of the United States government to the monarch of Hawai'i, the Minister to Hawai'i often dealt in affairs relating to economic, military and political matters affecting both nations. The Minister to Hawai'i also represented the interests of American citizens residing and working in Hawai'i, conveying their concerns over United States foreign policy to the President of the United States.
Two Ministers to Hawai'i became paramount figures in the history of Hawaiian Islands. John L. Stevens, appointed by President Benjamin Harrison, was a conspirator in the overthrow of the monarchy of Queen Lili'uokalani. James Henderson Blount, appointed by President Grover Cleveland, investigated the overthrow resulting in the dismissal of Stevens from his foreign service career and the recommendation to restore the monarchy.
