Hawaii occupies a strange place in the consciousness of most Americans. For most of us, it’s a vacation spot. A tropical island paradise with idyllic beaches, majestic waves, and towering volcanoes.

But Hawaii’s history is also one that is completely different from the 49 mainland states. It is one of only two states that, as an independent nation, had diplomatic relations with the government of the United States. And it is the only state that has pretenders to a defunct monarchy.