or own private property worth at least US$150 (equivalent to $ in ). The wealth requirements were removed during the short reign of Lunalilo in 1874. That change extended voter eligibility to many more Hawaiians and was kept for the lower house. However, the 1887 constitution required an income of $600 (equivalent to US$ in ) or taxable property of US$3000 (equivalent to $ in ) to vote for the upper house (or serve in it). That excluded an estimated two-thirds of the Hawaiian population. Disproportionately it was white males, wealthy from the sugar industry, who retained suffrage with the Bayonet Constitution. Allocating the government's power to the Cabinet and then promptly appointing their members to the Cabinet, and securing the disenfranchisement of their opposition, the Hawaiian League seized complete control over the Hawaiian Kingdom. The Bayonet Constitution was the first great implement in the decline of the monarchy. Though it did not depose the King, it did place considerable limitations on his power. Native Hawaiian response Immediately after the adoption of the Bayonet Constitution, the Native Hawaiian population of the Hawaiian Kingdom sought to restore King Kalākaua's power and authority. A committee of Hawaiians met with Kalākaua to discuss dismantling the constitution because the king signed it under duress. According to Thurston, Kalākaua even defended the constitution to protesting natives. Queen Liliuokalani affirmed that he was threatened with violence should he attempt to undo the new constitution. She also listed several petitions from natives that pleaded for a new constitution. Out of 9,500 registered voters, 6,500 signed the petitions. Since the majority of the population supported a new constitution, Queen Liliuokalani proposed one in January 1893. In response, the Hawaiian League overthrew her monarchy and took control of the country. References Further reading External links 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom (scanned images) 1887 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom (Full text, with access to the English translation, and other resources) Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom Constitution of Hawaii Hawaiian Kingdom Coups d'état and coup attempts in the United States 1880s coups d'état and coup attempts 1887 in Hawaii