Late in the day on December 7, and after initial opposition by Governor Joseph B. Poindexter, martial law was declared and the writ of habeas corpus was suspended. General Walter C. Short issued a proclamation in which he announced that he was taking over the government and assuming the position of military governor of Hawaii. Initially it was assumed that martial law would last only a short time, however, in reality it lasted for almost three years.
Government buildings including the Iolani Palace were turned into military offices. The islands were, in essence, turned into one large military base. With martial law came blackouts, curfews, rationing, censorship of news and mail, prohibition and other restrictions. Japanese owned businesses and publications were shut down.
