Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole
Encyclopedia
Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole Piikoi (1871–1922) was a prince of the reigning House of Kalākaua
when the Kingdom of Hawaii
was overthrown by international businessmen in 1893. He later went on to become a politician in the Territory of Hawaii
as delegate to the United States Congress
, and as such is the first native Hawaiian and only person ever elected to that body who was born a royal.
Kalanianaole was born March 26, 1871 in Kōloa
on the island of Kauai
. Like many alii (Hawaiian nobility) his genealogy was complex, but he was an heir of Kaumualii
, the last ruling chief of Kauai. His was named after his grandfather Kūhiō Kalanianaole
a High Chief of Hilo, and his paternal grandfather Jonah Piikoi
High Chief of Kauai. Like many Hawaiian nobles in the nineteenth-century he attended the exclusive private Royal School and Punahou School
in Honolulu on the island of Oahu
. In the 1870s, a French school teacher at St. Alban's College, now Iolani School
, commented on how young Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole's eyes twinkled merrily and how he kept a perpetual smile. "He is so cute, just like the pictures of the little cupid
," teacher Pierre Jones said. The nickname, "Prince Cupid," stuck with Prince Kūhiō for the rest of his life. After completing his basic education he also traveled abroad for further study. He studied for four years at Saint Matthew's School, a private Episcopal
military school in San Mateo, California
, and at the Royal Agricultural College
in England
before graduating from a business school in England. He was described as being an excellent marksman and athlete at sports such as football and bicycling.
ended with the death of King Kamehameha V
in 1872, and King Liholiho died in 1874, the House of Kalākaua
ascended to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He became an orphan after his father died in 1880 and mother in 1884.
Kalanianaole was adopted by King David Kalākaua's wife, Queen Kapiolani
, who was his maternal aunt. This practice was called hānai, a traditional form of adoption widely used in ancient Hawaii
which made Kalanianaole a royal prince. When Kalākaua came to power Kalanianaole was appointed to the royal Cabinet administering the Department of the Interior. After Kalākaua's death in 1891, Liliuokalani became queen, and she continued to favour Kalanianaole.
However, in 1893 the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii put in power first a Provisional Government of Hawaii
, and then a republic with no role for monarchs. Liliuokalani continued to hope she could be restored to the throne, while American businessmen lobbied for annexation.
. The rebels proved no match for the Republic troops and police, and shortly after hostilities began, all those involved in the rebellion were routed and captured. Kūhiō was sentenced to a year in prison while others were charged with treason and sentenced with execution. Death sentences were commuted to imprisonment. Kūhiō served his full term. Daily visits of his fiancee, Elizabeth Kahanu Kaauwai encouraged him in his most dark times.
They married October 8, 1896.
In 1898, the United States of America annexed Hawaii and the Territory of Hawaii
was formed.
After her own heir apparent, Princess Victoria Kaiulani
, died at the age of 23 in 1899, Liliuokalani made Kalanianaole and his brother Prince David Kawānanakoa
(1868–1908) heirs to the throne.
His other older brother Prince Edward Keliiahonui Kawānanakoa
had died in 1887.
Kūhiō and his wife left Hawaii upon his release and traveled widely in Europe, where they were treated as visiting royalty. He traveled to Africa
from 1899 to 1902 where he joined the British Army
to fight in the Second Boer War
.
, which represented native Hawaiians and continued to fight for Hawaiian independence. A much smaller Democratic party
, led by his brother David Kawānanakoa, was less radical and also less powerful. The Republicans represented business interests including people who had originally overthrown the Monarchy.
In 1901 Kūhiō switched parties and joined the Republicans. He was disillusioned with the lack of progress made by the Home Rule Party, and its control by "radicals". The Republicans eagerly accepted him into the fold. By endorsing the heir to the throne of the Hawaiian kingdom they gained significant support in local communities, and Kūhiō was given a strong leadership position.
Kūhiō was elected delegate to the U.S. Congress in a landslide victory for the Republicans, and helped establish a Republican hold on the legislature. He served from March 4, 1903 until his death, wining a total of ten elections. During this time he instituted local government at the county level, creating the county system still used today in Hawaii. He staffed the civil service positions that resulted with Hawaiian appointees. This move combined the political patronage system of 19th century American politics with the traditional Hawaiian chiefly role of benificiently delegating authority to trusted retainers.
In 1903, Kūhiō reorganized the Royal Order of Kamehameha I
, which held the first observance of the Kamehameha Day
holiday in 1904. He was a founder of the first Hawaiian Civic Club on December 7, 1918.
He helped organize a centenary celebration of the death of Kamehameha I
in 1919.
In 1919, Kūhiō introduced in Congress the first-ever Hawaii Statehood Act. It would be another 40 years before seeing fruition.
During this period, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 was signed by President Warren Harding. Despite Kūhiō's wishes, the Act contained high blood-quantum requirements, and leased land instead of granting it fee-simple, creating a perpetual government institution. This act and the others that followed continue to be controversial in contemporary Hawaiian politics, and have been used to justify more recent legislation like the Akaka Bill
.
He served on the first Hawaiian Homes Commission starting on September 16, 1921.
Kūhiō died on January 7, 1922. His body was interred near his royal family at the Royal Mausoleum
known as Mauna Ala in Nuuanu on the island of Oahu. He is memorialized by streets, beaches, the Prince Kūhiō Plaza Shopping Center
, and the Prince Kuhio Federal Building
named in his honor. Prince Kūhiō Day
on March 26 is a state holiday that honors Kūhiō's birth. Two of Hawaii's public schools also honor the memory of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole: Prince Jonah Kuhio Elementary School in Honolulu and Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School in Papaikou, Hawaii, near Hilo on the Island of Hawaii.
House of Kalakaua
The House of Kalākaua, or the Kalākaua Dynasty, was the reigning family of the Kingdom of Hawaii between the assumption of King David Kalākaua to the throne in 1874 and the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893. Liliuokalani died in 1917, leaving only cousins as heirs...
when the Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
was overthrown by international businessmen in 1893. He later went on to become a politician in the Territory of Hawaii
Territory of Hawaii
The Territory of Hawaii or Hawaii Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 7, 1898, until August 21, 1959, when its territory, with the exception of Johnston Atoll, was admitted to the Union as the fiftieth U.S. state, the State of Hawaii.The U.S...
as delegate to the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, and as such is the first native Hawaiian and only person ever elected to that body who was born a royal.
Early life
Koloa, Hawaii
Kōloa is a census-designated place in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 1,942 at the 2000 census. Kōloa is often incorrectly translated as native duck, which is the correct translation for the similar-looking koloa . Kōloa has no known translation...
on the island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
. Like many alii (Hawaiian nobility) his genealogy was complex, but he was an heir of Kaumualii
Kaumualii
Kaumualii was the last independent Alii Aimoku of Kauai and Niihau before becoming a vassal of Kamehameha I of the unified Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810...
, the last ruling chief of Kauai. His was named after his grandfather Kūhiō Kalanianaole
Kuhio Kalanianaole
Kūhiō Kalanianaole was a Hawaiian high chief of Hilo and father of Queen Kapiolani.He was born c. 1814 to Alii Elelule Laakeaelelulu and his wife Poomaikelani, daughter of Alii Kanekoa, of Waimea, by his first wife, Kalani-kau-lelei-awi, daughter of Kepoomahoe...
a High Chief of Hilo, and his paternal grandfather Jonah Piikoi
Jonah Piikoi
Ionah Piikoi was a Hawaiian high chief, distantly descended from the King of Kauai. He was patriarch of a family of future nobles of the Kingdom of Hawaii.He served in the House of Nobles 1845–1859 and on the Privy Council 1852–1855...
High Chief of Kauai. Like many Hawaiian nobles in the nineteenth-century he attended the exclusive private Royal School and Punahou School
Punahou School
Punahou School, once known as Oahu College, is a private, co-educational, college preparatory school located in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu in the U.S. State of Hawaii...
in Honolulu on the island of Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
. In the 1870s, a French school teacher at St. Alban's College, now Iolani School
Iolani School
Iolani School, located at 563 Kamoku Street in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a private coeducational college preparatory school serving over 1,800 students. Founded in 1863 by Father William R. Scott, it was the principal school of the former Anglican Church of Hawaii. It was patronized by Kamehameha IV...
, commented on how young Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole's eyes twinkled merrily and how he kept a perpetual smile. "He is so cute, just like the pictures of the little cupid
Cupid
In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god Mars. His Greek counterpart is Eros...
," teacher Pierre Jones said. The nickname, "Prince Cupid," stuck with Prince Kūhiō for the rest of his life. After completing his basic education he also traveled abroad for further study. He studied for four years at Saint Matthew's School, a private Episcopal
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
military school in San Mateo, California
San Mateo, California
San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of approximately 100,000 , it is one of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, located between Burlingame to the north, Foster City to the east, Belmont to the south,...
, and at the Royal Agricultural College
Royal Agricultural College
The Royal Agricultural College is a higher education institution located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Established in 1845, it was the first agricultural college in the English speaking world...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
before graduating from a business school in England. He was described as being an excellent marksman and athlete at sports such as football and bicycling.
Prince of the Kalākaua Dynasty
After the rule of the House of KamehamehaHouse of Kamehameha
The House of Kamehameha , or the Kamehameha Dynasty, was the reigning family of the Kingdom of Hawaii between the unification of the islands by Kamehameha I in 1810 and the death of Kamehameha V in 1872...
ended with the death of King Kamehameha V
Kamehameha V
aloghaKamehameha V , born as Lot Kapuāiwa, reigned as monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1863 to 1872. His motto was "Onipa`a": immovable, firm, steadfast or determined; he worked diligently for his people and kingdom and was described as the last great traditional chief...
in 1872, and King Liholiho died in 1874, the House of Kalākaua
House of Kalakaua
The House of Kalākaua, or the Kalākaua Dynasty, was the reigning family of the Kingdom of Hawaii between the assumption of King David Kalākaua to the throne in 1874 and the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893. Liliuokalani died in 1917, leaving only cousins as heirs...
ascended to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He became an orphan after his father died in 1880 and mother in 1884.
Kalanianaole was adopted by King David Kalākaua's wife, Queen Kapiolani
Queen Kapiolani
Queen Kapiolani formally Esther Kapiolani or Esther Kapiolani Napelakapuokakae, was married to King David Kalākaua and reigned as Queen Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:...
, who was his maternal aunt. This practice was called hānai, a traditional form of adoption widely used in ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii refers to the period of Hawaiian human history preceding the unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii by Kamehameha the Great in 1810. After being first settled by Polynesian long-distance navigators sometime between AD 300–800, a unique culture developed. Diversified agroforestry and...
which made Kalanianaole a royal prince. When Kalākaua came to power Kalanianaole was appointed to the royal Cabinet administering the Department of the Interior. After Kalākaua's death in 1891, Liliuokalani became queen, and she continued to favour Kalanianaole.
However, in 1893 the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii put in power first a Provisional Government of Hawaii
Provisional Government of Hawaii
The Provisional Government of Hawaii abbreviated "P.G." was proclaimed on January 17, 1893 by the 13 member Committee of Safety under the leadership of Sanford B. Dole...
, and then a republic with no role for monarchs. Liliuokalani continued to hope she could be restored to the throne, while American businessmen lobbied for annexation.
Post-Overthrow Activities
In 1895, at the age of twenty four, he participated in a rebellion against the Republic of HawaiiRepublic of Hawaii
The Republic of Hawaii was the formal name of the government that controlled Hawaii from 1894 to 1898 when it was run as a republic. The republic period occurred between the administration of the Provisional Government of Hawaii which ended on July 4, 1894 and the adoption of the Newlands...
. The rebels proved no match for the Republic troops and police, and shortly after hostilities began, all those involved in the rebellion were routed and captured. Kūhiō was sentenced to a year in prison while others were charged with treason and sentenced with execution. Death sentences were commuted to imprisonment. Kūhiō served his full term. Daily visits of his fiancee, Elizabeth Kahanu Kaauwai encouraged him in his most dark times.
They married October 8, 1896.
In 1898, the United States of America annexed Hawaii and the Territory of Hawaii
Territory of Hawaii
The Territory of Hawaii or Hawaii Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 7, 1898, until August 21, 1959, when its territory, with the exception of Johnston Atoll, was admitted to the Union as the fiftieth U.S. state, the State of Hawaii.The U.S...
was formed.
After her own heir apparent, Princess Victoria Kaiulani
Ka'iulani
Victoria Kaiulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawēkiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn was heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii and held the title of crown princess. Kaiulani became known throughout the world for her intelligence, beauty and determination...
, died at the age of 23 in 1899, Liliuokalani made Kalanianaole and his brother Prince David Kawānanakoa
David Kawananakoa
Prince David Laamea Kahalepouli Kinoiki Kawānanakoa Piikoi , was the patriarch of the House of Kawānanakoa. He was in the line of succession to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii around the time of the kingdom's overthrow.-Life:...
(1868–1908) heirs to the throne.
His other older brother Prince Edward Keliiahonui Kawānanakoa
Edward Keliiahonui
Edward Abnel Keliiahonui Piikoi was a prince of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His second name was probably based on "Abner", but sounds for "r" and "l" are used interchangeably in some dialects of the Hawaiian language.-Early life:...
had died in 1887.
Kūhiō and his wife left Hawaii upon his release and traveled widely in Europe, where they were treated as visiting royalty. He traveled to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
from 1899 to 1902 where he joined the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
to fight in the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
.
From prince to American statesman
Kūhiō eventually returned from his self-imposed exile to take part in politics in post-annexation Hawaii. He became active in the Home Rule Party of HawaiiHome Rule Party of Hawaii
As soon as the United States annexed the Hawaiian Islands and established the Territory of Hawaii, native Hawaiians became worried that both the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Republican Party were incapable of representing them...
, which represented native Hawaiians and continued to fight for Hawaiian independence. A much smaller Democratic party
Democratic Party of Hawaii
The Democratic Party of Hawaii is an arm of the Democratic Party of the United States based in Honolulu, Hawaii. The party is a centralized organization established to promote the party platform as drafted in convention biennially...
, led by his brother David Kawānanakoa, was less radical and also less powerful. The Republicans represented business interests including people who had originally overthrown the Monarchy.
In 1901 Kūhiō switched parties and joined the Republicans. He was disillusioned with the lack of progress made by the Home Rule Party, and its control by "radicals". The Republicans eagerly accepted him into the fold. By endorsing the heir to the throne of the Hawaiian kingdom they gained significant support in local communities, and Kūhiō was given a strong leadership position.
Kūhiō was elected delegate to the U.S. Congress in a landslide victory for the Republicans, and helped establish a Republican hold on the legislature. He served from March 4, 1903 until his death, wining a total of ten elections. During this time he instituted local government at the county level, creating the county system still used today in Hawaii. He staffed the civil service positions that resulted with Hawaiian appointees. This move combined the political patronage system of 19th century American politics with the traditional Hawaiian chiefly role of benificiently delegating authority to trusted retainers.
In 1903, Kūhiō reorganized the Royal Order of Kamehameha I
Royal Order of Kamehameha I
The Royal Order of Kamehameha I was a society established in 1865 by King Kamehameha V in defense of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-History:...
, which held the first observance of the Kamehameha Day
Kamehameha Day
Kamehameha Day on June 11 is a public holiday of the state of Hawaii in the United States. It honors Kamehameha the Great, the monarch who first established the unified Kingdom of Hawaii — comprising the Hawaiian Islands of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lānai, Kahoolawe, Maui and...
holiday in 1904. He was a founder of the first Hawaiian Civic Club on December 7, 1918.
He helped organize a centenary celebration of the death of Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
in 1919.
During this period, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 was signed by President Warren Harding. Despite Kūhiō's wishes, the Act contained high blood-quantum requirements, and leased land instead of granting it fee-simple, creating a perpetual government institution. This act and the others that followed continue to be controversial in contemporary Hawaiian politics, and have been used to justify more recent legislation like the Akaka Bill
Akaka Bill
The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 S1011/HR2314 is a bill before the 111th Congress. It is commonly known as the Akaka Bill after Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who has proposed various forms of this bill since 2000....
.
He served on the first Hawaiian Homes Commission starting on September 16, 1921.
Kūhiō died on January 7, 1922. His body was interred near his royal family at the Royal Mausoleum
Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii
The Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii, known as Mauna Ala in the Hawaiian language, is the final resting place of Hawaii's two prominent royal families: the Kamehameha Dynasty and the Kalākaua Dynasty.-Description:...
known as Mauna Ala in Nuuanu on the island of Oahu. He is memorialized by streets, beaches, the Prince Kūhiō Plaza Shopping Center
Prince Kuhio Plaza
Prince Kūhiō Plaza is a shopping center in Hilo, Hawaii. With approximately 80 tenants, it is the largest enclosed mall on the Island of Hawaii. Prince Kūhiō Plaza, along with Waiākea Centre located across the street, forms the core retail area of Hilo and its suburbs. Prince Kūhiō Plaza is owned...
, and the Prince Kuhio Federal Building
Prince Kuhio Federal Building
The Prince Kūhiō Federal Building, formally the Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole Federal Building and United States Courthouse, is the official seat of the United States federal government and its local branches of various agencies and departments in the state of Hawaii...
named in his honor. Prince Kūhiō Day
Prince Kuhio Day
Prince Kūhiō Day is an official holiday in the state of Hawaii in the United States. It is celebrated annually on March 26, to mark the birth of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole — heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii, prince of the House of Kalākaua, and later territorial delegate to...
on March 26 is a state holiday that honors Kūhiō's birth. Two of Hawaii's public schools also honor the memory of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole: Prince Jonah Kuhio Elementary School in Honolulu and Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School in Papaikou, Hawaii, near Hilo on the Island of Hawaii.