KING DAVID KALĀKAUA

(born Nov. 16, 1836; died Jan. 20, 1891)

 

I.  Background

         A.  Family

                  1.  descendant of Keaweaheulu & KameÔeiamoku

                  2.  siblings

                           a) Lydia KamakaÔeha (aka LiliÔuokalani)

                           b) Miriam Likelike

                           c) William Pitt Leleiōhoku

                  3.  married Julia KapiÔolani (1863)

                           a) grand-daughter of KaumualiÔi

                           b) her nephews designated as princes       

                                    -- David Kawananakoa

                                    -- Jonah Kūhiō KalanianaÔole

                           c) founded KapiÔolani Maternity Home (1890)

         B.  Education & Experience

                  1.  Royal School

                  2.  Hōkū i ka Pākīpika

                  3.  travel with Prince Lot (1860)

                  4.  colonel, lawyer, legislator, administrator, etc.

         C.  Elections

                  1.  William Lunalilo (1872)

                  2.  Queen Emma (1874) --> riot at the courthouse

 II.  His Reign (1874-1891)

         A.  Merrie Monarch

                  1.  motto = HoÔoūlu Lāhui (increase the Race/Nation)

                           a) seek immigrants

                           b) restore pride in Hawaiian culture

                  2.  ÔIolani Palace (construction 1880-1882)

                  3.  World Tour (Jan. to Oct. 1881)

                  4.  Coronation (Feb. 12, 1883)

         B.  Problems

                  1.  cabinets = five between 1874-1880

                  2.  friends

                           a) Claus Spreckels

                           b) Celso Caesar Moreno

                           c) Walter Murray Gibson

                  3.  cost of government

         C.  Bayonet Constitution (July 6, 1887)

                  1. Hawaiian League & Honolulu Rifles

                           -- Lorrin Thurston

                  2.  What did it do?

                           a) stripped power from king

                           b) changes in legislature

                           c) changes in voting qualifications

         D.  Wilcox Rebellion (1889)

                  1.  led by Robert Wilcox

                  2.  purpose = restore monarch's power

                  3.  150 men took palace grounds

                  4.  outcome: six dead, 12 wounded, Wilcox tried & acquitted

     

 

 

Think/Write Question

LiliÔuokalani says that Kalākaua's reign was the "golden age of Hawaiian history." What do you think would lead her to that assessment, and do you agree with her?