Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

The 5th Gate

The cornerstone for ‘Iolani Palace was laid on December 31, 1879 with full Masonic rites. Construction was completed in 1882; in December of that year King Kalākaua and Queen Kapi‘olani took up residence in their new home. The Palace area was originally enclosed by an eight-foot high coral block wall with wooden gates. Then, Robert Wilcox and other revolutionaries broke into the grounds; after this, a decision was made to tear down the wall surrounding the grounds. In 1889, it was lowered to 3’6″. In 1892, it was topped with the present painted iron fence. New gate arrangements were made, as well. The gates before this time had been flush with the wall, but as part of the improvements, curved walls were built, recessing the gateways into the grounds.

The four principal gates each display the Coat of Arms of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and have a distinctive name and purpose: Kauikeaouli – was used for ceremonial occasions (fronting King Street;) Kīna’u – was used by tradesmen (fronting Richards Street;) Hakaleleponi – used by servants and retainers of the royal household (mauka – facing Capitol;) and Likelike – was reserved for private use by the royal family (facing State Library.) But those are not the only gates onto the Palace grounds – a smaller 5th gate is located on the mauka-Ewa wall (fronting on Palace Walk, just mauka of the Barracks.) Lili‘uokalani added a 5th gate to allow her husband (John Owen Dominis) informal access to the grounds. (There is another gate at the corner of King and Richards.)

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Late-1880s

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated by Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886. That year, John Pemberton began selling a mixture of cocaine and caffeine at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia; it was called Coca Cola. From 1850 to 1886 Geronimo joined with members of three other Chiricahua Apache bands to carry out numerous raids as well as resistance to US and Mexican military campaigns in the northern Mexico. The National Geographic Society was founded on January 27, 1888. In 1888, George Eastman introduced the Kodak No 1, a simple Box Camera. That year, Scottish Inventor John Boyd Dunlop patented the first practical inflatable tire. The Eiffel Tower was opened on March 31, 1889.

On June 21, 1887, Britain celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, Queen Kapiʻolani and Princess Lili‘uokalani attended. They left the Islands under stress. Liliʻuokalani and Kalākaua’s sister, Miriam Likelike, wife of Archibald Cleghorn and mother of Princess Kaʻiulani, died on February 2, 1887. On June 30, 1887, the Honolulu Rifles demanded that King Kalākaua dismiss his cabinet and the Hawaiian League presented King Kalākaua with a new constitution. Kalākaua signed the constitution under threat of use of force, The Bayonet Constitution. On July 30, 1889, Robert William Wilcox led a rebellion to restore the rights of the monarchy, two years after the Bayonet Constitution had left King Kalākaua a mere figurehead.

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.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

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.