Princess Ka'iulani was known as the Crown Princess of the Hawaiian Islands. She was the daughter of Princess Likelike, who's brother and sister were the last monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and Archibald Cleghorn (a Scottish Businessman). Therefore, she was the heir to the thrown in the late 1800's. On her mother's side, Princess Ka'iulani descended from the bloodline of King Kamehameha I, the most famous of the Hawaiian Kings.
Princess Ka'iulani spent most of her childhood at the Ainahau Estate in Waikiki. This beautiful coconut grove (also known as "Cool Land") was gifted to her upon her birth in 1875. Ainahau was home to over fifty peacocks, who roamed freely on the estate grounds. Princess Ka'iulani's love for the exotic birds led to one of her most famous nicknames, "The Peacock Princess". Today, the Princess Ka'iulani Hotel sits at the entrance of what once was Ainahau.
Princess Ka'iulani spent most of her childhood at the Ainahau Estate in Waikiki. This beautiful coconut grove (also known as "Cool Land") was gifted to her upon her birth in 1875. Ainahau was home to over fifty peacocks, who roamed freely on the estate grounds. Princess Ka'iulani's love for the exotic birds led to one of her most famous nicknames, "The Peacock Princess". Today, the Princess Ka'iulani Hotel sits at the entrance of what once was Ainahau.
Princess Ka'iulani was educated in Hawaii and in England. She excelled in music, art and could speak Hawaiian, English, French and German. Posessing the gift of the great musical Kalakaua family, Ka‘iulani also danced hula, sang and played ukulele. She was an active and athletic young woman. She enjoyed surfing, swimming and horseback riding. Some say that she is the first person to introduce surfing to the United Kingdom in the late 1800's. The famous author Robert Louis Stevenson was a close family friend of Ka'iulani. In a poem written by Stevenson, he called Princess Ka'iulani "the island rose".
Ka'iulani was to take the thrown as Hawaii's Queen after her aunt Queen Lilioukulani. In 1893, after the death of her uncle King David Kalakaua and the overthrow of the Hawaiian Moncarchy under Lilioukulani, Princess Ka'iulani traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with President Grover Cleveland. Ka'iulani's presence influenced President Cleveland to reassess the situation in Hawaii. In Washington – annexation was stopped and Minister James Blount was sent to Honolulu to conduct an in depth investigation of the political activities in Hawaii, and assess the situation. Honolulu celebrated. Colorful banners and images of Ka‘iulani decorated shop windows, celebrating their young princess.
Nevertheless, in 1898 Hawaii was finally annexed by the United States.
Ka'iulani was to take the thrown as Hawaii's Queen after her aunt Queen Lilioukulani. In 1893, after the death of her uncle King David Kalakaua and the overthrow of the Hawaiian Moncarchy under Lilioukulani, Princess Ka'iulani traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with President Grover Cleveland. Ka'iulani's presence influenced President Cleveland to reassess the situation in Hawaii. In Washington – annexation was stopped and Minister James Blount was sent to Honolulu to conduct an in depth investigation of the political activities in Hawaii, and assess the situation. Honolulu celebrated. Colorful banners and images of Ka‘iulani decorated shop windows, celebrating their young princess.
Nevertheless, in 1898 Hawaii was finally annexed by the United States.
"I thought my heart would break when I heard that the monarchy was overthrown, and I had all a girl's disappointment, and I think all a Queen's. I had wanted to be a good Queen some day. I had thought about it and made all sorts of vows and plans you can think of. I dreamed of all that I would do for my people. I was sure that I could make them the happiest people in the world. They are a happy people, you know—very kind and simple and trusting. They have shown that to the world, haven't they?"
Princess Ka'iulani
1898
On March 6, 1899, Princess Ka'iulani passed away at the age of 23. To learn more about her life, please visit The Princess Ka'iulani Project.
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Princess Ka'iulani's full name is Victoria Kaʻiulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawekiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn. She stood for Hawaii. She stood for her people. She stood for "the truth". These words, from the Hawaiian Declaration of Right of 1840, made a lasting impression on young Ka’iulani:
"God has made of one blood, all nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth in unity and blessedness. God has bestowed certain rights alike on all men, all chiefs, and all people of all lands."
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