His Hawaiian Excellency: The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy and the Annexation of Hawaiʿi is an historical novel dealing with the unusual and moving history of Hawaiʿi. It is based on the life of Colonel Curtis Piʿehu ʿIaukea, who was one of the Kingdom’s premier diplomats. Closely following the unfolding of actual events, the scenes are set in the Islands, in Russia, the Suez Canal, and in England. There arises a colorful history before us filled with tragedy, comedy, love and hate, duty and opportunism, conspiracy and loyalty. Developments in Hawaiʿi and Russia are compared and questions of a universal nature are raised about men, women, politics, and religion. Given the recent epochal developments in both Eastern Europe and Hawaiʿi the book does not only address the reader who wishes to learn more about the island state in the middle of the Pacific, but may also contribute to the ongoing debate about the past, present and future of Hawaiʿi.
