Miriam Likelike Cleghorn | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

March 6, 2018 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

March 6, 1899

She was born on October 16, 1875, to Princess Miriam Likelike (the youngest sister of King Kalākaua) and Archibald Cleghorn; she was the only direct descendant of the Kalākaua dynasty. She was duly appointed and proclaimed heir apparent to the Hawaiian throne.

Her father Archibald Scott Cleghorn was from Edinburgh, Scotland and was brought to Hawaiʻi by his parents by way of New Zealand, arriving in Honolulu in 1851.

Within the year, Archibald’s father died of a fatal heart attack while on his way home from church. Archibald took over his father’s business and turned it into one of the most successful mercantile chains in the islands.

She inherited 10-acres of land in Waikīkī from her godmother, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani. Originally called Auaukai, her mother named it ʻĀinahau; she spent most of her life there.

She once said, “Well, it has been a strange life, really, and a very romantic one. Still I have been happy. I have seen a great deal and everybody has been most kind to me.” (Independent, November 11, 1897)

“(S)he is beautiful. This royal Hawaiian girl needs not the exaggeration of newspaper gallantry. Of all her portraits there is none that does justice to her expressive, small proud face.”

“She is exquisitely slender and graceful, quite tall and holds herself liko a like a Princess and like a Hawaiian, I know no simile more descriptive of grace and dignity than this last.” (Miriam Michelson, Independent, November 11, 1897)

“While we were talking a friend of the Princess, a Hawaiian girl, came in, and we three got to discussing the political situation in the islands, despite previous paternal admonitions. It was pretty, then, to see the earnestness with which (she) said:”

“‘Even the enemies of my aunt, of the Queen, will tell you that all through her suffering, and through her hard treatment, she conducted herself with the utmost dignity. And she felt the indignities, she felt the insults I know it, for I felt them for her.’” (Independent, November 11, 1897)

“(She) was adored by her people; her death is the greatest blow that could have befallen them; with her their last hopes are buried. There. is not a native in the islands who could have wished to compass that sweet girl’s death.”

“People used to say that if she got hold of a few yards of material and wound them about her she would contrive to look fashionably attired.”

“She had the dignity of an English aristocrat and the grace of a creole. It is not the case that she was a three-quarter caste; she was a pure half-caste, wholly native on her mother’s side.”

“But her early seclusion and her English training had made her different from others, and she was thoroughly English in her ideas and ambitions.” (San Francisco Call, April 9, 1899)

“As a child she was kept apart from other children, mixing with them, only by condescension, never allowed for a moment to forget the part she was to play.”

“As a young girl, at an English school, she was not as others; she had her own governess, her own system of training, her own studies, peculiarly calculated to fit her for her position.” (San Francisco Call, April 9, 1899)

Then, returning from England, she had gone to the Waimea on the Big Island to visit Helen and Eva Parker, daughters of Samuel “Kamuela” Parker (1853–1920,) grandson of John Parker (founder of the Parker Ranch.)

While attending a wedding at the ranch, she and the girls had gone out riding horseback on Parker Ranch; they encountered a rainstorm. She became ill; she and her family returned to O‘ahu.

Tragically, after a two-month illness, Princess Kaʻiulani died on March 6, 1899 at her home, ʻĀinahau, at age 23.

It is said that the night she died, her peacocks screamed so loud that people could hear them miles away and knew that she had died.

“Every one admired her attitude; they could not do otherwise. Her dignity, her pathetic resignation, her silent sorrow, appealed to all. The natives loved her for her quiet, steadfast sympathy with their woe, her uncomplaining endurance of her own …”

“… the whites admired her for her stately reserve, her queenly display of all necessary courtesy, while holding herself aloof from all undue intimacy. All were attracted by her sweetness and grace; it was impossible not to love her.” (Macfarlane, San Francisco Call, April 9, 1899)

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October 4, 2017 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Gertrude Gardinier

“I found out very early that I could be as naughty as I liked with my nurses and I enjoyed that very much, because I was naturally naughty, I suppose.”

“I remember that I envied my friends very much and I envied the children of the servants, who did quite as they pleased, even more. Then I can remember a quite new sensation which came to me when I found out that they also envied me. That was a very delicious feeling.”

“It served to give quite a new taste to life and I was not lonely for a long while after that. It came about in this way. I had a friend, a very jolly, careless little girl, and one day when we had been playing together we went up into my bedroom and she threw herself down on my bed.”

“I remember how my nurse rushed at her across the room, ‘How dare you,’ she said, and she took hold of her roughly and pulled her to the floor. ‘Sit there!’ she said, ‘that is the place for you.’”

“‘The little girl went home and I thought about it a long time. I never had seen my nurse angry and it made a great impression on me. ‘Why is the floor the place for her?’ I asked, and my nurse said, ‘Because.’”

“‘That didn’t seem a very good answer and then I asked, for the first time I think, ‘Why shouldn’t people touch me or use my things or sit on my chair or on my bed?’”

“‘And my nurse said, ‘Because you are a Princess and the others are not.’ ‘Is it very nice to be a Princess?’ I asked, and my nurse said that it was the nicest thing in the world except to be a Queen, and after that, although I was glad I was a Princess, I always wanted to be a Queen.’”

“‘Always?’ ‘Yes always,’ answered Kaiʻulani. ‘Why shouldn’t I tell the truth about it? I was mad with joy when the news of the proclamation declaring me heiress to the kingdom reached me abroad.’”

“‘I said to myself like a little girl, ‘Now some day I shall be a Queen.’ And meantime, after the Queen, I would come first in the kingdom. 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.” (Kaʻiulani, The Call, August 7, 1898)

First Miss Barnes, then Miss Gertrude Gardinier, and later Miss de Alcald served as governesses to Kaʻiulani.

Kaʻiulani’s governess, Miss Barnes, of whom the family was very fond, died unexpectedly in 1883. Replacements were tired, but the arrival of Gertrude Gardinier from New York changed that.

Kaʻiulani’s mother, Likelike, approved immediately and the ten-year-old Kaʻiulani and Miss Gardinier took to each other immediately.

In 1885, Gardinier wrote to her parents noting, “She is the fragile, spirituelle type, but very vivacious with beautiful large, expressive dark eyes. She proves affectionate; highly spirited, and at times quite willful, though usually reasonable and very impulsive and generous.” (Zambucka)

“Miss Grandinier’s lessons were always so lively. We would awaken early, and then take breakfast out on the lanai – veranda – to enjoy the bright morning sunshine.”

“I always like a cup of rich, hot coffee, by Miss Gardinier insisted that I also drink fresh milk each day. At times, I know she thought me frail, and she was sure the milk would make me more robust.”

“Then we would read and write, and she would teach me about history. Names and dates and places that I would try very hardtop imagine. The music lessons were my favorite. Our family was fond of music.” (Kaʻiulani; White)

“Miss Gardinier said it was important for me to concentrate on my studies, because one day I will be called upon to rule our people, and I must be a wise and learned Queen.”

“In the afternoons, after my rest, we would often attend social engagements. These are many skills I need to learn, so that I will be able to receive and greet people properly, and be a gracious hostess.”

“Miss Gardinier and I used to discuss God a great deal. Then we would read the Bible. I have so many questions, but the Reverend says that all of the answers in the world as in the Good Book.”

“Mama once told me that when the missionaries first came to Hawaii, our people called the Bible ‘God in a little Black Box.’ You see, it was the only book they had ever seen.” (Kaʻiulani; White)

Gardinier remained at ʻĀinahau as Kaʻiulani’s governess until the day of her wedding to Mr Albert Heydtmann in May 1887. (Zambucka)

On a later visit to, now, Mrs Heytmann, Kaiʻulani noted, “I wish everything was the way it used to be.” Gertrude Heytmann responded, “I know, but you are very strong, Kaʻiulani. You will not only survive these changes, but you will thrive.” (White)

“Miss Gardinier – oh how I miss her! – always told me my moods changed like the tropical winds. I confess that I was often very willful with her, and I am sorry now, but such fun we had!” (Kaʻiulani; White)

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May 9, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

ʻĀinahau Hotel

“’Have you seen the Cleghorn Gardens?’ is a frequent question to the malihini, and only another way of asking if one has seen the gardens of the late Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani, lovely hybrid flower of Scottish and Polynesian parentage, daughter of a princess of Hawaiʻi, Miriam Likelike (sister of Liliʻuokalani and Kalākaua) and the Honorable Arthur Scott Cleghorn.”

“We are too late by twenty years to be welcomed by Likelike, and eight years behind time to hear the merriment of Kaiulani in her father’s house Kaʻiulani, who would now be of the same age as Jack London.”

“The famous house, ʻĀinahau, is not visible from the Avenue. Here the bereft consort of Likelike lives in solitary state with his servants, amid the relics of unforgotten days. He receives few visitors, and we felt as if breaking his privacy were an intrusion, even though by invitation.”

“But the commandingly tall, courtly old Scot, wide brown eyes smiling benevolently under white hair and beetling brows, paced halfway down his palm-pillared driveway in greeting, and led our little party about the green-shady ways of the wonderland of flowers and vines, lily ponds and arbors, ‘Where Kaʻiulani sat,’ or sewed, or read, or entertained all in a forest of high interlacing trees of many varieties, both native and foreign.”

“I was most fascinated by a splendid banyan a tree which from childhood I had wanted to see. This pleased the owner, whose especial pride it is ‘Kaʻiulani’s banyan’ … Into nurseries and vegetable gardens we followed him, and real grass huts that have stood untouched for years.”

“And the house. The portion once occupied by the vanished Princess is never opened to strangers, nor used in any way. Only her father wanders there, investing the pretty suite of rooms with recollection of her tuneful young presence.” (Charmaine London, June 29, 1907)

Princess Kaʻiulani inherited 10-acres of land in Waikīkī from her godmother, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani. Originally called Auaukai, her mother named it ʻĀinahau; Princess Kaʻiulani spent most of her life there.

The stream that flowed through ʻĀinahau and emptied into the ocean between the Moana and Royal Hawaiian Hotels (where the present Outrigger Hotel is located,) was called ʻApuakehau (the middle of three rivers that used to run through Waikīkī.)

The family built a two-story home on the estate. At first the home was used only as a country estate, but Princess Kaʻiulani’s family loved it so much, it soon became their full time residence.

Miriam Likelike passed away at ʻĀinahau 12-years before Kaʻiulani herself passed in 1899; Cleghorn lived until 1910 and also passed away there.

“ʻĀinahau, the beautiful residence and park at Waikiki, formerly the home of Governor Cleghorn, has become the property of the public, the will of the late governor, filed for probate yesterday, bequeathing the property to the public use as a park, to be known as Kaʻiulani park, after his daughter the late Princess Kaʻiulani.” (San Francisco Call, November 20, 1910)

“Mr. Cleghorn … felt that he held ʻĀinahau in a sort of trust, to preserve it for the memory of Kaʻiulani, and indirectly also of Likelike.” (Honolulu Star Bulletin, April 16, 1913)

“A bill to accept the fine gift passed the senate in 1913 but was killed in the house, and it was admitted at the time that some of the heirs under the will had joined in fighting against the acceptance bill.” (Honolulu Star-Bulleting, September 23, 1913)

“The deal by which the property was leased was completed yesterday. The name of the lessee is withheld at this time, but it was learned that local persons are interested in the project.”

“On the first of July the buildings already on the estate will be opened as a hotel. The buildings include one large structure, five cottages and one grass house. … The lease is made for a short period of time, with the privilege of extension. It includes the entire area of beautiful ʻĀinahau.” (Honolulu Star-Bulletin, June 21, 1913)

Mrs EH Lewis rented the property from the Cleghorn estate and operated the property as ʻĀinahau Hotel from 1913 to 1917.

“The ʻĀinahau, with its waving, coconut trees, stately palms and winding roads and paths, has always been known as one of the most beautiful and romantic spots in Honolulu.” (Honolulu Star-Bulleting, September 23, 1913)

“The ʻĀinahau Hotel has its entrance opposite the Moana and is not on the beach, but in the beautiful tropical jungle which was the residence of the late AS Cleghorn, father of the deceased Princess Kaʻiulani. This is also on the cottage plan, and accommodates 75 guests. American plan $1.50 to $2.50 per day; $40 to $75 per month.” (The Aloha Guide, 1915)

“ʻĀinahau is entered by a roadway opposite the Moana Hotel at Waikiki and was the residence of the late AS Cleghorn, father of the former Princess Kaʻiulani.”

“Mr. Cleghorn, upon his death in 1911, devised ʻĀinahau to Honolulu as a public park specifying certain conditions, among them that it should be closed after 6 pm.”

“Using this as a pretext, the legislature of 1913 rejected the gift, the city being now the poorer for it, for here tropical trees, plants, vines and shrubbery abound in such profusion and luxuriance as to offer wonderful opportunities for parking.”

“The property is now operated as a hotel, the numerous cottages being used for the purpose. The large banyan tree growing in front of the main building was a favorite retreat of Robert Louis Stevenson while he sojourned here.” (The Aloha Guide, 1915)

Then, newspaper accounts noted, “ʻĀinahau, the beautiful home of the late Governor AS Cleghorn at Waikiki and the spot perhaps best loved by Robert Lewis Stevenson of any place on the islands, will soon be only a memory, for it has been sold to James W Pratt and other interests and will immediately be cut up into building lots.”

“The price of the land, which comprises 11 2/3 acres, was $60,000. It is the plan of Mr. Pratt to subdivide the estate into 40 lots and make it an exclusive and one of the most beautiful residential districts in Honolulu.” (Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 19, 1917)

Shortly after, ads started getting posted in the local papers, “For sale – Entire furnishings of ʻĀinahau hotel, 40 bedroom sets, billiard and pool tables, etc.” (Honolulu Star Bulletin, March 26, 1917)

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February 2, 2016 by Peter T Young 1 Comment

Likelike

She 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.

Miriam Kapili Kekāuluohi Likelike was born on January 13, 1851. Unlike her brothers and sister, Princess Likelike’s early years were spent on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

On returning to Honolulu, “Her first course of instruction was at the school of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and she finished her education at Kawaiahaʻo Seminary.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, February 4, 1887)

Then her musical endeavors began in earnest; encouraged by her siblings she wrote music. With her sister, she led one of the three royal music clubs that held regular friendly competitions to outdo each other in song and poetry.

Like her sister, Princess Likelike sponsored many concerts and musical pageants in and around Honolulu, and played an important role in the development and perpetuation of Hawaiian music by the encouragement and patronage she gave to young musicians and composers. (HMHOF)

On September 22, 1870, Princess Likelike was married to Honolulu businessman Archibald Scott Cleghorn. The wedding was held at Washington Place, the residence of Governor Dominis and Princess Liliʻuokalani.

Cleghorn, born November 15th 1835 in Edinburgh, Scotland, was brought to Hawaii by his parents, Mr and Mrs Thomas Cleghorn by way of New Zealand.

After arriving to Honolulu in 1851, Thomas set up a dry goods store in Chinatown, but within the year, at the age of 54, Thomas suffered a fatal heart attack while on his way home from church. Archibald took over his father’s business and turned it into one of the most successful mercantile chains in the islands. (Kaʻiulani Project)

“Princess Likelike visited New Zealand and Australia with her husband, Hon AS (Archibald Scott) Cleghorn, soon after her marriage and was very favorably impressed with what she saw, more especially the city of Melbourne.”

“She also twice visited San Francisco. Her mind, expanded by travel and intercourse with the world, was bent upon the moral and physical elevation of her own race, and she therefore lent herself heartily to every educational scheme looking to that end.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, February 3, 1887)

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.” (Daily Herald, February 3, 1887)

ʻĀinahau, Princess Likelike’s Waikiki home was said to have been the most beautiful private estate in the Hawaiian Islands. A driveway between rows of stately palms led to the gracious pillared mansion set in a grove of 500 coco palms. Artificial lakes dotted with pink water lilies, and statues found here and there, added to the charming grounds.

Mango trees were plentiful, and everywhere one could catch the scent of sweet smelling pīkake and gardenias. Proud peacocks strutted through the grounds displaying their beautiful feathers. Thousands of trees, shrubs and vines grew in this huge garden estate.

Today, ʻĀinahau is no more. The Governor Cleghorn Condominium stands at the entrance to the driveway which led to the house. (Likelike ES)

‘ʻĀinahau,’ the most famous of Likelike’s compositions, was written about the Cleghorn residence in Waikiki, the gathering place for Sunday afternoon musical gettogethers. She wrote most of her compositions there, and supported the musical education of her daughter, Princess Kaʻiulani. (HMHOF)

Click here, then the link, to hear a performance of ʻĀinahau (1914, LOC)

Not in very good health, Princess Likelike died at the early age of 36 on February 2, 1887. She will be long be remembered for her kindness to children, her pleasing manners, her many charities, her never failing hospitality, and her beautiful songs. (Likelike ES)

“Princess Likelike was generally beloved for her amiable and kindly disposition her cordial and gracious manners. Her late Royal Highness will long be remembered for the deep interest she took in the welfare of her race and in many worthy objects of a religious and benevolent nature.”

“Although a leading member of St Andrews Cathedral she held a lively concern for the prosperity of native churches outside of the Anglican communion. This was strikingly manifested in her attendance on last Saturday week although in a weak physical condition at a festival in aid of the Kaumakapili Church building fund.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, February 4, 1887)

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