The Honolulu Rifles during the Hawaii Rebellions, 1887-1895

The Honolulu Rifles regiment was a militia force of predominately Anglo-American or European descendants living in Hawaii, formed in Honolulu in what was then the Kingdom of Hawaii, 1884. Founded originally as a parade-social club with their own uniforms, weapons, drill manuals, etc. the Honolulu Rifles regiment became a potent military presence in Hawaii at a critical time in the island nation’s history, which came to be called the Hawaii Rebellions from 1887-1895.

The downfall of both the Kingdom of Hawaii and the independent Hawaiian republic in 1893 & 1895 respectively were both directly linked to actions of the Honolulu Rifles brigade. Hawaii’s annexation as a territory of the United States was in its day a diplomatic and political hair trigger argument. President Grover Cleveland (b.1837-1908) opposed annexation in both his terms as president and only during President William McKinley's term in 1898 did the machinations & campaigning of the Hawaiian league pay off. A group of influential annexationists who wanted Hawaii for either Britain or America, the Hawaiian league was led by Lorrin A. Thurston (b.1858-1931) son of the first American missionaries to come to Hawaii in the mid 1850’s. The League essentially used the Honolulu Rifles as a tool in building what they wanted, a westernized puppet state republic. Almost all of the officers of the regiment were members of the Hawaiian league and its influence under the guise of the Committee of Safety was critical.

Brigade captain and fervent annexationist Volney V. Ashford was the commander of the Honolulu Rifles brigade from 1886-1893. Ashford was a Canadian who had served in the Union Army during the Civil War in the 21st New York (Griswold’s’ Light) volunteer cavalry regiment. Captain Ashford studied law and was regarded as a charismatic beloved officer by his men.

The Honolulu Rifles were active in all of the rebellions and intrigues from 1887-1895 including the major rebellions led by Robert William Wilcox (b.1855-1903), a Hawaiian born officer who had studied at a military academy in Italy. He was a highly charismatic, influential, & a persistent anti-annexationist.

Wilcox's first insurrection in 1889 saw a Garibaldi-inspired ‘Redshirt’ revolt against the Hawaiian King Kalākaua, for his appeasement of Westerners during the events which came to be called the Bayonet Constitution of 1887.

After the Redshirts occupied ʻIolani Palace the Hawaiian League sent Capt. Ashford and the Honolulu Rifles to the palace where they engaged in combat with the rebels, exchanging rifle and cannon fire for several hours. When the firing stopped the rebels had suffered 20-30 casualties with the rest including Wilcox captured.

The second Wilcox insurrection in January 1895, known as the Counter Revolution, attempted to reinstall the Hawaiian royal family and became the last major conflict of the era.

Though the Hawaii Rebellions were relatively bloodless affairs there were several casualties and injuries during the many scattered rebellions, attempted rebellions, and counter rebellions of the period. Militia and volunteer forces were common during the rebellions but none had the flair, backing, and training of the Honolulu Rifles.

Conflicts of the Hawaii Rebellions (revolutions/revolts)

Wilcox Rebellion 1889- Wilcox raises a Redshirt militia group and occupies ‘Iolani Palace, the Honolulu rifles are sent and open fire with rifles and cannon, killing and wounding over 20 rebels before they surrender.

Hawaiian Revolution 1893- January 17^th illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Royal family exiled, Hawaiian League victory with a provisional government in place from 1893-1894.

Leper War 1893- Brief rebellion of a leper colony in Kalalau Valley which began after a sheriff was killed in the colony enforcing the quarantine decrees of the Hawaiian provisional government. Perhaps a hundred or so lepers were eventually arrested or detained and three goverment soldiers were killed in this low intensity conflict.

Counter Revolution, 2nd 'Wilcox Rebellion' 1895-Attempt to restore the Hawaiian monarchy fails, Wilcox is arrested and again charged for treason. Wilcox was eventually pardoned and serving as Hawaii's congressman from 1900 until his death in 1903.