Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young 2 Comments

‘The Hope of the Nation’

The future seemed uncertain for Princess Kaʻiulani when she headed to the Island of Hawai‘i for the wedding of her friend Eva Parker. “They have taken away everything from us and it seems there is left but a little, and with that little our very life itself. We live now in such a semi retired way, that people wonder if we even exist any more. I wonder too, and to what purpose?” (Kelley) Then, the sad news, “Princess Ka‘iulani is dead.”

“Her young life went out at two o’clock this morning (March 6, 1899,) at her residence, Waikiki. The sad event had been feared for more than a month, and deemed hourly imminent for a week past. It was about four months ago that the Princess was first attacked with the illness that has cut her off in the springtime of life.” “(F)rom her cradle to the end of the monarchy, Princess Kaʻiulani was regarded as ‘the hope of the nation.’” “From her infancy she was known as the heir presumptive to the throne of Hawaii, and at the accession of Queen Lili‘uokalani was proclaimed as the Heir Apparent.”

by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Likelike

Miriam Kapili Kekāuluohi Likelike was born on January 13, 1851, was the sister of a King and Queen – and the daughter of High Chief Kapaʻakea and Chiefess Analeʻa Keohokālole – her sister became Queen Liliʻuokalani and her brothers were King Kalākaua and William Pitt Leleiōhoku.

On September 22, 1870, Princess Likelike was married to Honolulu businessman from Scotland Archibald Scott Cleghorn. When her brother David Kalākaua became King in 1874, Miriam was given the title ‘Princess Likelike’ and she was appointed governess of Oʻahu. The Cleghorns had one child Kaʻiulani (born on October 16, 1875) – “the only member of the Royal Family having issue.” Princess Likelike died at the early age of 36 on February 2, 1887.

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Archibald Scott Cleghorn

In 1840, the Cleghorns immigrated to New Zealand, and then moved to the Islands. Archibald took over his father’s business and turned it into one of the most successful mercantile chains in the islands. He first married Elizabeth Pauahi Lapeka; they had three daughters. On September 22, 1870, Archibald married Princess Likelike (sister of a Kalākaua and Liliʻuokalani,)

ʻĀinahau, their Waikiki home was said to have been the most beautiful private estate in the Hawaiian Islands. The Cleghorns had one child Kaʻiulani – “the only member of the Royal Family having issue.” Cleghorn served in the House of Nobles and the Privy Council. He succeeded John Owen Dominis upon his death in November 1891, until February 28, 1893 as Royal Governor of Oahu.

by Peter T Young 9 Comments

How Did The Aliʻi Feel?

My recent post concerning nationality versus race in the “ongoing claims and discussions about restoring the Hawaiian Government that was deposed on January 17, 1893” has, unfortunately, produced some nasty remarks (however, I will note, some were very positive.)

The historical record is clear – from Kamehameha I to Liliʻuokalani, the aliʻi befriended, sought counsel and even married Caucasians and other foreigners. Following contact, Caucasians were actively involved with all of the aliʻi – they served as personal and significant advisors to the aliʻi. Aliʻi sought their advice and put them in places of importance – many of these were missionaries.

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The Mess

Early Honolulu was not a city of Clubs; although residents of various nationalities had started several, their existence has not been of long duration. The British, Germans and Americans each had their respective club houses. In 1852, the British first opened their “Mess” rooms (it was not called a “Club” back then;) it started in […]