Question

1. to his excellency, william mckinley, president and (to) the senate of the united states of america... we, the undersigned, native hawaiian citizens... who are members of the hawaiian patriotic league of the hawaiian islands, and others who are in sympathy with the said league, earnestly protest against the... addition of the said hawaiian islands to the said united states of america in any form or shape. - petition, 1897 what were these hawaiian citizens protesting

Explanation:

The text mentions "protest against the...[addition] of the said Hawaiian Islands to the said United States of America in ANY form or shape". The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 was followed by efforts towards annexation. A protectorate classification (second option) didn't match the "addition" concern. Statehood (third option) came much later (1959). Colonization by political refugees (fourth option) isn't in line with the text. The first option about forced annexation as a U.S. territory after the monarchy overthrow aligns with the "addition" (annexation) protest.

Answer:

The forced annexation of the island as a U.S. territory after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.