Kalakaua King Kalakaua was elected by the legislature in hawaii in 1874. He was so popular in the election because the sugar growers in Hawaii would benefit from him signing the reciprocity treaty if he became king. The treaty would allow them to export and import goods (mainly rice and sugar) tax free in Hawaii. The Hawaiian League was formed in 1887 composed of elite business men and sugar growers of missionary descent. It’s primary goal …showed first 75 words of 664 total…

…showed last 75 words of 664 total…Constitution had been forced on him. Hawaiians, Chinese and Japanese petitioned the king to revoke the constitution. Theself-styled Reform Cabinet responded that only an act of the Legislature could do this - though their new constitution had never been put to a vote. For the remaining years of the monarchy, efforts to amend or replace the constitution received widespread support. The constitutional controversy proved to be the spark that ignited the overthrow of the monarchy.