princess victoria kawekiu l lunalilo kalaninuiahilapalapa ka'iulani cleghorn
october 16, 1875-march 6, 1899
october 16, 1875-march 6, 1899
Named after Queen Victoria of England and highest born "ali'i" (noble rank) into Hawaiian Royalty. Her mother was Princess Likelike, musician/composer and a most fashionable woman of her time. Her father was Archibald Cleghorn, a businessman and horticulturalist, a Governor of Oahu and Hawaii's Father of Parks. When Victoria was born she was given a parcel of land, "ainahau" (cool land) in Waikiki by her godmother to which she lived til her young teenage years. She spent hours horseback riding and also enjoyed swimming, surfing, dancing the hula, singing and playing the ukulele. Her favorite place to play was under a banyan tree in her garden.
Not yet a teenager, her mother died and then her governess. Soon after she met Robert Louis Stevenson, celebrity and poet, who told her fascinating stories of ancient Celtic queens and recited poems to Ka'iulani in her garden. Her uncle, King David, insisted that Victoria Ka'iulani be sent to England to "receive and education fit for a queen". And there she studied, went to high society affairs, traveled throughout Europe and raised money for the underprivileged.
During her stay in England, the Hawaiian monarch came to turmoil, including the death of King David Kalakaua. King David's sister, Lilioukalani then became Queen and she crowned Princess Victoria an heir to the throne. For several years Princess Victoria prepared herself to become Queen learning of her roots and ancestors and making ties with the Scots and Hawaiians.
Not yet a teenager, her mother died and then her governess. Soon after she met Robert Louis Stevenson, celebrity and poet, who told her fascinating stories of ancient Celtic queens and recited poems to Ka'iulani in her garden. Her uncle, King David, insisted that Victoria Ka'iulani be sent to England to "receive and education fit for a queen". And there she studied, went to high society affairs, traveled throughout Europe and raised money for the underprivileged.
During her stay in England, the Hawaiian monarch came to turmoil, including the death of King David Kalakaua. King David's sister, Lilioukalani then became Queen and she crowned Princess Victoria an heir to the throne. For several years Princess Victoria prepared herself to become Queen learning of her roots and ancestors and making ties with the Scots and Hawaiians.
By the time Princess Victoria Ka'iulani returned to her homeland, Queen Lililioukalani was forced to relinquish her throne years earlier and the Hawaiian monarchy came to an end after 100 years. Hawaii was to become a republic of the United States.
In December of 1898, several months after the formal annexation of Hawaii, Princess Ka'iulani went to Big Island of Hawaii to attend the wedding of her friend, Eva Parker, of the infamous Parker Ranch. While horseback riding with a group of friends they were caught in a rainstorm "Waimea rain", which is said to be sharp and freezing cold. Princess Ka'iulani became very ill with complications of rheumatism and goiter. She was sent back to Oahu for treatments. She died on March 6, 1899 at the age of 23.
Princess Ka'iulani bronze statue was erected on Oct. 16, 1999 at Ka'iulani Triangular Park. It is her last remaining estate.
Princess Ka'iulani bronze statue was erected on Oct. 16, 1999 at Ka'iulani Triangular Park. It is her last remaining estate.
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