<P> After 1868, when the Commander of the Pacific Fleet visited the islands to look after American interests, naval officers 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 Hawaiian 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 duty - free export of sugar to the U.S. With the election of King Kalākaua in March 1874, riots prompted landing of sailors from USS Tuscarora and Portsmouth . The British warship, HMS Tenedos, also landed a token force . During the reign of King Kalākaua the United States was granted exclusive rights to enter Pearl Harbor and to establish "a coaling and repair station ." </P> <P> Although this treaty continued in force until August 1898, the U.S. did not fortify Pearl Harbor as a naval base . The shallow entrance constituted a formidable barrier against the use of the deep protected waters of the inner harbor as it had for 60 years . </P> <P> The United States and the Hawaiian Kingdom signed the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 as supplemented by Convention on December 6, 1884, the Reciprocity Treaty was made by James Carter and ratified it in 1887 . On January 20, 1887, the United States Senate allowed the Navy to exclusive right to maintain a coaling and repair station at Pearl Harbor . (The US took possession on November 9 that year). The Spanish--American War of 1898 and the desire for the United States to have a permanent presence in the Pacific both contributed to the decision . </P> <P> Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the United States Navy established a base on the island in 1899 . On December 7, 1941, the base was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy airplanes and midget submarines, causing the American entry into World War II . One of the main reasons that Pearl Harbor happened was because the United States had major communication breakdowns among several branches of the U.S. armed services and departments of the U.S. government . This led to the surprise Japanese attack at the Hawaiian air base . There was no meaningful plan for the air defense of Hawaii, for American commanders had no understanding of the capabilities and proper employment of air power . As it was, had the Pacific Fleet acted on the war warnings it undoubtedly would have sortied and been at sea on December 7, where the major ships would have been sunk in deep water, making salvage impossible . Shortly after the devastating Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor two American military commanders, Lt. Gen. Walter Short and Adm. Husband Kimmel were demoted of their full ranks . The two American commanders later sought to restore their reputations and full ranks . </P>

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