Funeral Processions
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Elele Hawaii published on January 1, 1855.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
When a leader or someone held in high esteem by the nation died, the order of the funeral procession was something publicized in the newspapers so people knew ahead of time in what position they stood. The following for instance is the order of the funeral procession for Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III. It is followed by instructions for the day by Mataio Kekūanāoʻa, the Grand Marshall of the procession.
Image: “Ka Hoonohonoho ana i ka Huakai Hele o ka Hoolewa ana i ke Kupapau o ka Moi Kamehameha III.” Ka Elele Hawaii, January 1, 1855, p. 83.
Order of Procession
For the Funeral of
King Kamehameha III
————
Grand Marshal of the Procession
Grand Marshal
Hawaiian Cavalry
Physicians [interestingly called here Kahuna Lapaʻau]
Odd Fellows
Royal School
Punahou College
Other Schools with Their Teachers—Six Deep
Artillery
The King’s Band
Household Troops
The King’s Purveyor and Servants
The King’s Personal Physician and the other doctors in attendance while he was sick.
The King’s Standard
Kāhili
[On each side of the coffin, from outside in: Soldiers, Aliʻi, Kāhili]
Kāhili
The Queen
Her Highness, Victoria Kamāmalu, and the King,
and His Highness, Lot Kamehameha
Chief Justice, Kuhina Nui, Chamberlain
The Ministers
Representatives of Foreign Nations
The Governors of the Islands
The Members of the Privy Council and Their Wives
The Foreign Consuls, the Custom Officers, and other Government Officers—Four Deep
Drummers
Hawaiian Infantry
Haole Soldiers
Soldiers aboard the warships
Fire Companies—Four Deep
Ladder and Hook Companies
The King’s Yeomanry [Hulumanu]
The Haole and Those Aboard the Trade Ships—Six Deep
Kānaka Maoli—Eight Deep
Hawaiian Infantry.
————
Those attending the funeral are to gather on King Street at 10 o’clock in the morning, and the procession will begin at 11 o’clock.
The line of the procession will be formed on the makai side of the Palace until Richards Street. Those who are walking with the Body of the late King will stand at the north of the Palace until Richards Street. Come all.
M. Kekūanāoʻa, Grand Marshal.
(Elele Hawaii, 1/1/1855, p. 83)
Here are links to a few others. Click on the name to be taken to the online article.
Nāhiʻenaʻena (Ke Kumu Hawaii, 2/15/1837)
Kamehameha IV (Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, 1/30/1864)
Lunalilo (Ko Hawaii Ponoi, 2/25/1874)
Pauahi Bishop (Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, 11/1/1884)
There are many, many more. Can you find others?
Image: Half-plate ambrotype of Mataio Kekūanāoʻa; Hawaiʻi. Bishop Museum Archives. SP 73789.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org
Image: Seated portrait of King Kamehameha III, from a daguerreotype; Hawaiʻi. ca. 1850. Bishop Museum Archives. SA 1041.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
