Kaiulani’s story enchants visitors and locals alike
The Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors/Ka Mamakakaua, 'Ahahui Ka'iulani, Royal Order of Kamehameha, 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu and Hale O Na Ali'i O Hawaii as well as guests, tourists and others gathered around the Princess Kaiulani Statue in Waikiki yesterday as they participated in the Outrigger and OHANA Hotels commemoration of Princess Kaiulani's birthday.
The Princess Kaiulani statue was draped with lei in honor of the 135th anniversary of her birthday.
Dozens gathered yesterday for at least two events honoring Princess Kaiulani’s birthday and remembering the popular Hawaiian royal.
Mike Powers brought a folding chair from his home across the street and watched the lei-draping ceremony at Kaiulani’s statue at the corner of Kaiulani and Kuhio avenues.
"She’s quite a lady," he said. "Really a class act."
Several Hawaiian groups adorned the statue with flowers, maile and ti leaves as stories from her life were retold.
Coline Aiu, president of the Hawaiian society ‘Ahahui Ka’iulani, said Kaiulani was called "Hawaii’s hope" because she was the only child born to the Kalakaua dynasty.
"All of the hopes of the people were in this child," she said. The half-Scottish princess, born Victoria Cleghorn in 1875, also represented the changing ethnicity of the islands.
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"She was charming, intelligent, lovely, playful," Aiu said. "She had all the qualities that draw people to Hawaii, that openness and love."
Kaiulani lived on the Ainahou Estate, whose front gate is now the site of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel.
She rode her pony, Fairy, on Kalakaua Avenue, surfed off Waikiki Beach and watched her peacocks on the property.
She went to England for school at the age of 13 and for preparation to become the nation’s next queen. But during that time the monarchy was overthrown.
She died of a cold on the Big Island at age 23, but some believe she died of a broken heart because she lost her kingdom and family, Aiu said.
The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani also held its 16th annual keiki hula festival in honor of Kaiulani’s 135th birthday anniversary.
Tyler Dahlin, 12, who danced with the Halau Hula Ka No’eau, said he felt honored to be part of the festival.
"She was like a really good princess," he said. "If she was still alive, she would be a great princess."
Michael Pili Pang, the halau’s kumu hula, said the festival presented an opportunity for the performers and the audience to learn about the princess, visit the property where she lived and see what the Hawaiian Kingdom was like from one person’s point of view.
Las Vegas resident Roseann Wing, who attended the keiki hula festival, said she is half English and felt a connection with Kaiulani after hearing she studied in England.
"This is an entertaining way of learning," she said, adding she likes the history of Hawaii’s monarchy. "I’m really enjoying this."
