Lā Hānau o ke Kama Aliʻi Kaʻiulani
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Leo o ka Lahui published on March 10, 1893.
Aloha Nūhou Monday!
At 9:15 on Saturday morning, October 16, 1875, Princess Victoria Kawēkiu Kaʻiulani Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn was born to her mother, Princess Miriam Likelike and father Archibald S. Cleghorn. In celebration, a composition entitled “He Lei no Kaiulani” was published in Ka Leo o ka Lahui on March 10, 1893. Mrs. Kala, the composer, writes highly of Kaʻiulani and recognizes her fearlessness while petitioning the United States Senate in Washington D.C. in the months following the illegal overthrow of her Aunt, Queen Liliʻuokalani. She remained hopeful that America would relinquish the throne to the rightful heir of the land of Hawaiʻi.
Image: Princess Kaʻiulani, 1899. Oil painting by Banko, Bishop Museum Archives. SXC 99422.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org, Bishop Museum Archives.
Image: Kaʻiulani, March 7, 1893. Photo by Elmer Chickering, Boston. Bishop Museum Archives. SP 42088.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org, Bishop Museum Archives.
Image: Mrs. Kala, “He Lei no Kaiulani.” Ka Leo o ka Lahui, March 10, 1893, p. 3
A LEI SONG FOR KAʻIULANI.
This is a lei song for Kaʻiulani
Honored crown of Hawaiʻi
Long live to Kalaninuiahilapalapa
The outstanding one of wohi rank of the Nation
Europe is unified
Restraining the sovereignty of Hawaiʻi
Kaʻiulani’s voice is filled with emotion
Have I done wrong, O America?
That my rights be denied
To the throne of Hawaiʻi
At the lavish White House
The Palace in Washington
Petitioning fearlessly
For the beloved sovereignty of Hawaiʻi
Let the royal crown be returned
The sacred right of Hawaiʻi
Conferring comfortably
With the United States Senate
Kaʻiulani at the forefront
Seeking salvation for Hawaiʻi
The royal voice sounds from afar
Am I lacking, O my people?
That [others] would think to wrongly take
The throne of Hawaiʻi
My birthright from the beginning
Sought out by His Royal Highness Kalākaua
Papa Laʻamea, my uncle
It is known that I am of the wohi rank
I am the sole heir of the Nation
Of the cherished lineage of the ancestors
Affection wells within the heart
Unceasing to the core of my being
Victoria Kaʻiulani
Royal heir of Hawaiʻi
Let your lei song be told, Kaʻiulani
Long live Kalaninuiahilapalapa
Composed by
Mrs. Kala1
Honuakaha, March 8, 1893.
(Ka Leo o ka Lahui, 03/10/1893, p. 3)
Image: Princess Kaʻiulani, ca. 1899. Photo by Frank Davey, Bishop Museum Archives. SP 54259.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org, Bishop Museum Archives.
Image: Princess Kaʻiulani. Photo by A. A. Montano, Bishop Museum Archives. SP 44739.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org, Bishop Museum Archives.
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.
