On January 14, 1893, a group composed of Americans and Europeans formed a Committee of Safety seeking to overthrow the Hawaiian Kingdom, depose the Queen, and seek annexation to the United States. As the coup d'état was unfolding on January 17 the Committee of Safety expressed concern for the safety and property of American citizens. In response, United States Government Minister John L. Stevens summoned a company of US Marines and two companies of US Navy sailors to take up positions at the US Legation, Consulate, and Arion Hall. On the afternoon of January 16, 1893, 162 sailors and Marines came ashore under orders of neutrality. William Russ has noted that the presence of these troops, ostensibly to enforce neutrality effectively made it impossible for monarchy to protect itself.



