“The announcement yesterday of the death of King Kalākaua fell like a clap of thunder from the skies. Although we all knew that he was not a well man when he left here and that he had in his system a most insidious disease …”
“… yet the reports of the decided improvement in his health from the voyage over and the bracing climate of California deceived us as to his frail hold on life.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 30, 1891)
“He passed away at exactly 2:35 pm of Tuesday, January 20, 1891, and there were present at his bedside, on the right of His Majesty, Rev. J. Sanders Reed, Col. Macfarlane, and Admiral Brown …”
“… on the left Col. Baker, Kalua, and Kahikina; and at the foot of the bed Consul McKinley, Mrs. Swan, and Fleet Surgeon Woods. Grouped around were Lieut Dyer, Hon. CR. Bishop, Mr Godfrey Rhodes, Judge Hart, Senator GE Whitney, Mrs. McKinley, Mrs. Price, Mrs Reed, and the Hon Claus Spreckels.”
“At 8:15 am yesterday the Diamond Head telephone announced the arrival of the USS Charleston, Admiral Brown, off Coco Head, with the American and Hawaiian flags at half mast. Half an hour later, the ship appeared off the harbor, dressed in mourning.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 30, 1891)
“The sad duty of taking care of the remains and bringing them to the kingdom devolved on Admiral Brown, who was especially delegated by President Harrison to take the tidings of the monarch’s sudden decease to his beloved subjects.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, January 30, 1891)
“The reign of our departed King was memorable as an era of remarkable and increasing prosperity. In the seventeen years of his reign, now closed, this nation has made rapid strides in its material industries, education, and the arts of civilization.”
“But death comes alike to King and Commoner, and the seventh Sovereign of Hawaii is gone to join the roll of the illustrious dead. We humbly bow to the Will of God.” (Privy Council)
“At 11 am the invited guests entered and were shown to their seats.”
“Resting in the center of the throne room was the coffin, covered with a heavy black pall, over which was placed the famous yellow cloak of the King, made of the feathers of the Oo.”
“The scene was at once weird and fantastic; the splendor of the costumes of the staff officers, the bright yellow of the feather cloak and covering and capes, the sombre black of the drapings, the rich deep melody of the organ rolling forth its volumes, the sweet singing of the native choirs, all of which rendered the scene peculiarly effective.”
“The crown, sceptre and sword of his late Majesty lay at the head of the coffin. On the right side of the coffin, resting on a beautiful black velvet pillow, rested the crown jewels and decorations of His Majesty.”
“A guard of twenty men, ten on each side of the coffin, wearing the yellow feather capes indicative of kahili bearers, of the rank of subordinate chiefs, waved kahilis of a sombre hue.”
“The rhythmical motion of the kahilis ascending and descending, moving from side to side in perfect accord with the music, lent an air of peculiar solemnity to the impressive scene.”
“The Bishop commenced the service for the dead, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life,” in Hawaiian. Then followed the hymn. “When Our Heads Are Bowed With Woe.” Next followed the Psalm “Domine Refugium,” to a single chant, composed by Her Majesty Liliuokalani. Then the hymn, “Brief Life is Here Our Portion,” in Hawaiian.”
“The Rev WH Barnes then read in Hawaiian the lesson from I Corinthians, xv. The choir then pang in Hawaiian, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul.” This was followed by prayer, after which the Bishop and clergy filed out of the throne room, followed by the different bodies in regular order.”
“The meles and wailing began anew as the solemn procession marched slowly from the palace.”
“The emblems of royalty, the crown, sceptre and sword of the late monarch, were taken from off the coffin and reposed on a black velvet pillow fringed with geld, which was carried by Col. Hoapili Baker, while the crown jewels of his late Majesty were lifted from their stand at the head of the coffin and carried by the Hon. John Baker.”
“The crown tabu pole and gold ball draped in black, the emblem sacred only to royalty, was then removed, sturdy sons of Hawaii tenderly lifted the coffin from its resting-place, and, to the “Dead March in Saul” …”
“… slowly and solemnly the mournful cortege descended the steps of the palace and placed the mortal remains of their beloved monarch on the catafalque which was to bear him from their sight forever.”
“The never-to-be-forgotten sight of all, however, was that of the catafalque and its surroundings.”
“As the cortege entered the mausoleum a dirge was played on the organ. The committal service was then read by the Bishop, who, with the clergy, stood at the head of the coffin. The services were concluded by the choir singing ‘Now the Laborer’s Task is O’er.’”
“After the hymn the Hale Naua Society marched into the building to perform the ceremony of depositing the sacred Calabash on its late President’s casket.”
“At the close of the church service the United States marines outside performed the last military honors by firing-three volleys in the air.”
“Four large kahilis were fastened upright to the earth in front of the mausoleum, there to remain, according to ancient custom, till the last shred is blown away.”
“The Kalākaua emblematic torches were burning in front of the building throughout the ceremonies. Seven mammoth torches composed of tar-barrels were burning on the top of Punchbowl mountain during the funeral.”
“At 3:21 o’clock the royal party left the mausoleum, their appearance being the signal for a mighty chorus of dirges and wails.
Long after they left the grounds the dismal sounds of grief rose from the throats of scores of male and female lamenters of the departed Sovereign.”
“Kalākaua I was buried with great state on February 15th, 1891, another guest in that mausoleum which is so fast filling with the mortal remains of Hawaiian royalty.”
“His sister Liliʻuokalani reigns in his stead, and follows worthily the best traditions of sovereignty, inspired doubtless by what she saw when in 1887 she was present at the Jubilee of our own gracious Queen.” (Gowen)
“From henceforth, when you think of him, call him not Kalākaua, but say ‘him of the low, sweet voice.’” (Queen Kapiʻolani)
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