Peshwar Lancers Redux: Kingdom of Hawaii

The Kingdom of Hawaii had not existed for before Captain Cook had discovered it. Its people had immigrated from Polynesia sailing great distances. The first encounter with the British did not go at all that well for either side. Yet it was that encounter which lead to its contact with the west. Relations improved over the years with the Hawaiian Kingdom developing relations with Great Britain and the United States. It also in the 19th Century had signed treaties with the emerging German Empire, Spain and France. Cooks visit and death did what ohter had been unable to do unite the people into a Kingdom.
The country saw the beginning of immigration from Portugal, the US, China and Japan and Korea. Its contact with the west increase and it saw Missionary Schools. The kingdom did not have mineral wealth but it did have a climate which allowed it to grow sugar, Pineapples, Bananas and other tropical fruit. It also developed ranches and raised Cattle.
For a good part of the 19th Century the port of Honolulu became a port of destination for Whaling ships as well as others.
Still by the time of the American Civil War it was clear that America more than any other nation was developing a closer relationship with the Kingdom. Many of the people that would play a role in the Kingdom had their roots in the US. One of those people was Standford Dole. His Father had come to the islands as a Missionary and teacher and his wife was a teacher.

The Island had developed its own Military patterning its army after the British. It had little in the way of a navy depending upon the American or British Navies for protection In the earlier part of the Century one of its Monarchs had gone to Great Britain for a visit to met with the Queen and instead he had contracted an illness that had resulted in the death of a family member in England and ultimately to his death upon returning to Hawaii. Many say that it was this incident that had changed the Island Nations path from Britain and toward the US. The nation had build some industry but it was still a long way from being an industrial Nation. Indeed it had to import a lot of Goods and mineral.
As the time drew closer to the Fall the nation had developed a small shipping line . The line had several ships built mainly overseas and this line carried immigrant and goods to the Nation. American Merchant ships were always arriving carrying material.
It ad been that death which had encourage the monarch to import western doctors. This had marked a turning point and it had the result of saving lives.

Below King David the Monarch during the period when the fall took place.

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In 1843 a British Naval captain Sir Paulet sailed into port and threaten to fire upon the people unless it surrendered it Sovereignty. The King did that to avoid bloodsheed but one of his Ministers Dr Gernt Judd, Minister of Finance arraged for an envoy to go the the US and to the British.
Sir Paulets Superior sent a Frigate ordering Sir Paulet to withdraw. He notified the King that Hawaii's soverignty was restored.
After the French invaded the islands in 1849 committing much harm and damage to the people a treaty was signed by both Paris and London recognizing the Independence of the Kingdom. Britain's Queen _Empress formally acknowledged Hawaii as an independent Kingdom.
Yet relations between Hawaii and the Europeans began to cool while Hawaii turned to the US as its protector.
The Hawaiian native population suffered from European born infections declining to 80,000 before it began to increase. It however saw a rise in population as immigration from countries such as Portugal, the US, China and to a lessor extent Japan and Korea began.
The Royal Hawaiian Army began to be restored in the 1860's when the US was racked by Civil War. The Kingdom purchased modern rifles and cannon for its defense.
Hawaii grew and it gained much by the trade and new immigrants. Hawaii soon had its own shipping line and there was growth. Argiculture increased as Hawaii began to grow sugar cane, Pineapple, Bananas and other fruit. The Hawaains also began to emulate the Americans with the arrival of Cattle in the Islands.
Still no one believed that the world would within a few decades change forever. The end of the American Civil war saw an increase in trade and Immigration. The Island Population increased to more than 400,000. It had developed shipyard and a foundry was constructed.
The Islands soon had 5 newspapers and the beginning of a communication system such as the telegraph. Still it suffered from a lack of minneral resources that might allow it to progress. As the isalnds began to see more steamships it also saw a need for the importation of coal. The Hawaiian Flad now flew from a proud nation.

As the 1860's drew to a close things were looking up for the Nation.
The Hawaiian Parliament was also attempting to steer the nation into a more western course. While the Polynesian population had declined the population that was Hawaiian grew as more claimed Hawaiian citizenship. The Missionary Party was playing a role in this.

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Then there is another person who will play a critical role in the history of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Stanford B Dole was born in the islands to American parents who came to do both missionary and educational work. While his father was involve in missionary work his mother was more involved in ensuring that the Hawaiian people were educated. She made sure that her son was well educated. And so he was. He gained Knowledge and eventually he became a lawyer and adviser to the King.

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At the Time of the Incident (AKA The Fall) there were several foreign ships in port. After they sailed there was some shipping traffic but it gradually began to stop. The Hawaiian King and his advisers were always anxious to
find out what was going on. Gradually bits and pieces of information began to give them an idea that something horrible had happen to the world. One of the people that had made the islands his home was Captain Mclean.. The 45 year old Scottish born captain had taken a position with the Hawaiian shipping company. He was an experienced Sailor who had been at sea since he was 12 years old. He had gotten to know the King well over the past few years.
 
Hawaii's Army was very small and had been so since it had failed in its job but now it appeared that there might be a real threat. So the legislature passed a funding bill which would strengthen it and rebuild the Hawaiian Navy. It appeared that something had happen to their protector the United States and from the information that they now acquired by the few ships that were visiting the island the British Empire had suffered a major disaster. There were only two Occidental and Oriential Steamship Companie ships that had stopped at Hawaii. They did have some news and papers that were Months old. The Eastern Part of North America had suffered terribly. General Grant was attempting to Establish some sort of Government to Handle the Emergency.

Below a small detachment of the Royal Hawaiian Army on parade.

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The King called for a meeting with the legislatures leadership as well as his advisers. The decision was put forward that the supply of coal on the island was going to have to be controlled. There was no idea when and if the island would be able to get some more.
Peter Judd the son of Dr Gernt Judd , who had served as Finance Minister back in 1843 was following in his late father's footstep so to speak. He also was Finance Minister. He said that the country's treasury was in fairly good shape but the government would need more resources. Stanford B Dole was just appointed to fill a vacancy in the legislature/parliament and was asked to tak the new post of Naval Minister.

With a lack of coal and not a lot of wood to spare if they were going to build ships a decision was made to revert to sail power for them.
Captain Mclean was asked to help with his advise on construction. Below the Captain and his family at there home.

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Very interesting. I'm not sure if Sanford Dole is a terrific choice. Walter Murray Gibson at least would side with the Crown. Charles Bishop would be another.

British Admiral Thomas restored Hawaiian independence, so that is why there is a Thomas Square in Honolulu.

The Kingdom of Hawaii did not exist for centuries before Captain Cook. They were united under King Kamehameha after the death of Cook.

An interesting POD would be the death of Kamehameha III in London due to pox or his scrape with death, in that it causes the Hawaiian Government to bring out more Western doctors and at least there is a concerted effort to staunch the high death rate among the native population.
 
Yay, another Hawaii TL ! :D Is there something in the water ? :eek: :D

Anyway, love the idea and love the fact that it's another spinoff for the "more plausible Peshawar Lancers" project. Good luck with it, I'm subscribing !
 
David many thanks for the suggestions as it will make things a lot more interesting.
The bringing in of Western doctors will also mean that the native Hawaiian population is far larger at the time of the fall than was the case in OTL.
Below Charles Bishop with his friend William Little Lee 1st chief Justice of the Hawaiian Supreme Court.

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I would consider an earlier date to the creation of both OTL Queen's Hospital and the Kapiolani Children's Hospital. It would also be important that branches be established on the other islands besides Oahu.
 
King Kamehameha III Hawaii's longest reigning Monarch was heavily impacted by the disastrous impact of the trip to London. He began to realize that his people would need proper Western style medical care if they were to stand a chance of surviving diseases. he return home and butted heads with his stepmother who was regent. He wanted the establishment of medical schools and hospitals but she would refuse to spend the money. He did however get her to allow the importation of doctors to the islands. Then he had a hospital built in Honolulu.
Upon finally gaining full power in 1832 he ordered the construction of three more Hospital. They would be located on three other islands including the big one.
The result of Improved medical care was a saving of many lives of both natives and Immigrants. It was the move to improve the health and education of his people that would have a lasting Impact on the Kingdom. The King would also establish more hospitals and a medical school would be established at Queen's Hospital.
The King also supported the Establishment of a police force after incidents with people stopping at Hawaii on their way to the California Gold field. It was pattern after the British police force.
The King managed to live slightly longer than in OTL dying in 1860.
His illegitimate son Albert Kumupeka was latter to take a post in the Royal Hawaiian Constabulary.

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Relations with the United States became stronger but with the short reigns of Kamehameha III's successors there was not as much progress. However, the country had made great progress as a result of Public Health improvements and education.
Hawaii was however,the home to several shipbuilding companies. Unfortunately the lack of iron ore meant that these ships were almost always wood hulled. There was also a need to import coal.

The 1860's also saw the government once again see the need to strengthen its defenses and move toward the re-establishment of a Navy.
The American Civil War, The Invasion of Hawaii by the French in 1849 and the Mexican Intervention by France all weighed on the Hawaiian Monarchs Mind and that of his advisers. Breech loading guns were purchased from Great Britain as e]well as more modern small arms.
 
Relations with the United States became stronger but with the short reigns of Kamehameha III's successors there was not as much progress. However, the country had made great progress as a result of Public Health improvements and education.
Hawaii was however,the home to several shipbuilding companies. Unfortunately the lack of iron ore meant that these ships were almost always wood hulled. There was also a need to import coal.

The 1860's also saw the government once again see the need to strengthen its defenses and move toward the re-establishment of a Navy.
The American Civil War, The Invasion of Hawaii by the French in 1849 and the Mexican Intervention by France all weighed on the Hawaiian Monarchs Mind and that of his advisers. Breech loading guns were purchased from Great Britain as e]well as more modern small arms.

There would have to be the importantion of wood also if there is to be a shipyard. The tropical rainforest doesn't usually provide the type of wood, let alone the amount of wood, for shipbuilding on the scale of a western clipper or man of war.
 
One of the things that King Kamehameha III had done was to import some tree from the United States to Plant on the Big Island. It was his attempt to provide more alternative and choices for his people. Still there had to be a large importation for goods from the US, Canada.
As Hawaii developed a shipping industry it had to stockpile coal for its use in the Honolulu. Whalers such as the one below continued to stop at the Hawaiian Islands.

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The Royal Hawaiian Artillery collection included field pieces that had seen service in the American Civil War but which had been declared surplus. They were bought for little money but provided Hawaii with some fairly advance field pieces. The Artillery collection included a wide variety of guns.

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With the Death of King Kamehameha III came his successor who chose to be King Kamehameha IV. He ruled from January 11,1860-November 30,1863.He continued the reforms and the attempts to modernize the Nation. In November 1863 came the last of the dynasty King Kamehameha V ruling from November 30,1863- December 11,1874.

It was the 5th who saw the establishment of a Naval school that might train officers for the Royal Hawaiian Navy and the shipping lines.
 
As we move close to the date of the Impact Hawaii saw the Funeral of the last of one Line of Kings and the beginning of another. Hawaii was moving closer to the US in relations and the British raised objections to it being Annex by the US.
This resulted in King Lunalito to ask the parliament for some changes in the country. The Country had gone through two Constitutional changes one in 1840 and another in 1850. Now 20 years latter the King was asking the Parliament to look at some changes that might strengthen the governments ability to protect the Nation. Unfortunately the Kings reign lasted barely 13 months.
Albert Kunupake had in this time shown a lot of ability as a police officer. In 13 years the Illegitimate son of the Late King Kamehameha III had shone a nack for police work rising to the rank of Inspector.
The funeral of King Lunalito was held at the Palace.

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One of the things that King Kamehameha III had done was to import some tree from the United States to Plant on the Big Island. It was his attempt to provide more alternative and choices for his people. Still there had to be a large importation for goods from the US, Canada.
As Hawaii developed a shipping industry it had to stockpile coal for its use in the Honolulu. Whalers such as the one below continued to stop at the Hawaiian Islands.

Shipping I can see, particularly transpacific between North America and the Orient and Australia.

There was an attempt recently to grow fast maturing trees to provide wood for lumber and housing stock. I doubt, unless you are provide better information, that Hawaii would be able to produce the sheer square footage to build a major ship, let alone it being the right type of wood.
 
It would seem that from what I have been able to find so far only two trees native to Hawaii would have any possible use in shipbuilding the Silky Oak and the Northfork Pine. Unless other trees can be introduced I would suspect that a lot of lumber would as you said be needed to build ships. There are other woods that would be usable for decking and doors but unless either of the two trees mentioned are usable then I think that massive importation would be needed or Hawaii would have had to buy more ships built in Great Britain, Canada or the US.
 
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