Hawaiian National Liberal Party

Hawaiian National Liberal Party
Chairperson	Joseph K. Nawahi John Edward Bush
Founded	1892
Headquarters	Honolulu, Hawaii
Ideology	Liberalism Liberal nationalism Progressivism

In 1892, the Hawaiian National Liberal Party (Aoao Lahui Hawaii Liberala in the Hawaiian) also known as the National Liberal Party of the Hawaiian Kingdom (generally known as just the "Liberal Party") was a political party of the Kingdom of Hawaii near its end.

Ideology

Liberal nationalism

In their platform the Liberal Party “We deem that all Government should be founded on the principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity; we hold that all me are born free and equal before the law and are endowed with inalienable rights to life, to liberty, to property, to the pursuit of happiness...” They also expressed revisions to international treaties and aiding Native Hawaiians in acquiring farmland and homesteads.

Progressivism

The Liberal Party were economically progressive, continuing from their platform “…and to self-protection against arbitrary concentration of power, irresponsible wealth, and unfair competition.” Liberals preferred progressive taxation by raising taxes for organizations and the rich, while giving tax exemptions and aid to the poor. Other goals were to provide the public with economic protection and reduce the power of “monopolies, trusts and privileges of special classes”.

History

It was established in January 1892 as a radical offshoot of the moderate National Reform Party. Its first president was John Edward Bush and its vice president was Joseph K. Nawahi. After the legislatorial elections of 1892, a party election made Nawahi president and William White his vice president. Nawahi was considered more level-headed than Bush and Nawahi prompted Liberals to work with the National Reformers to break the impasse in the three-way split of the legislature.

The Liberal

The Liberal Party had their own newsletter named The Liberal.

International Rifle Association

The Liberal Party also had their own gun club the International Rifle Association, similar to a political militia.