8.Since 1868, when the Commander of the Pacific Fleet visited the islands to
look after "American interests," naval officers have played an important
role in internal affairs. They served as arbitrators in business disputes,
negotiators of trade agreements and defenders of law and order. Periodic
voyages among the islands and to the mainland aboard U.S. warships were
arranged for members of the Royal family and important island government
officials. When King Lunalilo died in 1873, negotiations were underway for
the cessation of Pearl Harbor as a port for the exportation of sugar to
the U.S. duty-free. With the election of a new king, King Kalakaua in
March, 1874, anti-American factions helped to precipitate a number of
riots which were regarded as sufficiently disturbing to have bluejackets
landed from the USS Tuscorora and the USS Portsmouth. The British warship,
HMS Tenedos, also landed a token force. It was during the reign of King
Kalakaua that the United States was granted exclusive rights to enter
Pearl Harbor and to establish "a coaling and repair station."
