Kamehameha IV

Kamehameha IV, born Alexander Liholiho ʻIolani Kalanikualiholiho Maka o ʻIouli Kūnuiākea o Kūkāʻilimoku, and anglicized as Alexander Liholiho, reigned as the fourth monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom from January 11, 1855, until his death on November 30, 1863. His full Hawaiian name, ʻIolani, means "hawk of heaven" or "royal hawk," while Liholiho is a contraction of Kalaninuiliholiho, signifying "the great chief with the burning back kapu." [1] He was born on February 9, 1834, in Honolulu, Oʻahu, to High Chief Mataio Kekūanaōʻa, the Royal Governor of Oʻahu, and Princess Elizabeth Kīnaʻu, who served as Kuhina Nui (Prime Minister) of the Kingdom. He was also the maternal grandson of Kamehameha I, the unifier of the Hawaiian Islands. [1]

Alexander Liholiho's early life was marked by his adoption (hānai) by his uncle, King Kamehameha III, an act of political and familial reconciliation. He received his education at the Chiefs' Children's School (later known as Royal School) in Honolulu, under the tutelage of Congregationalist missionaries Amos and Juliette Cooke. He displayed a keen intellect and a diverse range of interests, including playing the flute and piano, singing, acting, and cricket. At the age of 14, he pursued legal studies, and at 15, he embarked on an extensive diplomatic tour of England, the United States, and Panama, meticulously documenting his experiences in a journal. During this tour, he met prominent figures such as Louis Napoleon and Prince Albert, advocating for the recognition of Hawaii as an independent nation. [1]

His travels also exposed him to the racial prejudices prevalent in the United States, an experience that deeply influenced his perspective and contributed to a cautious stance towards American influence. He noted in his journal the stark contrast between the treatment he received in England and the United States, where he was mistaken for a servant due to his darker skin. This encounter, coupled with the puritanical views of American missionaries, fostered a degree of anti-American sentiment within him and the royal family. Conversely, he developed a strong affinity for British culture, embracing Anglicanism and becoming a founder of the Hawaii Reformed Catholic Church. [1]

Upon his return, Alexander was appointed to the Privy Council and House of Nobles by Kamehameha III in 1852, gaining valuable administrative experience. He also assumed the duties of Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the Hawaiian Islands, undertaking efforts to reorganize the military and maintain the kingdom's defenses. He worked alongside Robert Crichton Wyllie, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to establish a Hawaiian army to safeguard the islands from potential foreign incursions. [1]

Kamehameha IV ascended to the throne on January 11, 1855, at the age of 20, following the death of Kamehameha III on December 15, 1854. His first significant act as monarch was to halt negotiations initiated by his predecessor regarding Hawaii's annexation by the United States. He was deeply concerned that annexation would lead to the demise of the monarchy and the erosion of Hawaiian identity. Instead, he sought a reciprocity treaty with the United States to regulate trade and taxes, but these efforts were thwarted by opposition from sugar plantation owners in the southern United States. To counter American dominance, he actively pursued diplomatic and trade agreements with British and other European governments, though his reign concluded before these could fully materialize. [1]

In 1856, Kamehameha IV married Emma Rooke, his childhood acquaintance, who became Queen Emma. Their marriage was characterized by shared interests in opera, literature, and theatre. They had one child, Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa a Kamehameha, born in 1858, who tragically died in 1862. This loss profoundly affected the King, contributing to a decline in his health. [1]

Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma dedicated a significant portion of their reign to improving the welfare of their people, particularly in healthcare and education. They were acutely aware of the devastating impact of foreign diseases, such as leprosy and influenza, on the native Hawaiian population. In 1855, Alexander proposed an ambitious public healthcare agenda to the legislature, including the establishment of public hospitals and facilities for the elderly. Despite initial legislative resistance, the royal couple successfully rallied support from local businessmen and wealthy residents, leading to the founding of The Queen's Medical Center and a leprosy treatment facility on Maui. [1]

Culturally, Kamehameha IV played a pivotal role in shaping Hawaiian traditions. Initially, he decreed December 25 as a national day of Thanksgiving, influenced by conservative American missionaries who opposed Christmas as a pagan celebration. However, six years later, he rescinded this decree and formally recognized Christmas as a national holiday of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In a personal act of atonement following a tragic incident where he accidentally shot his secretary, Henry A. Neilson, he translated the Book of Common Prayer into the Hawaiian language. [1]

His reign also saw territorial expansions, with Laysan Island, Lisianski Island, and Palmyra Atoll being annexed in 1857 and 1862, respectively. There are also claims from residents of Sikaiana, near the Solomon Islands, that their island was annexed by Kamehameha IV in 1856, which they believe subsequently made them part of the United States after the 1898 annexation of Hawaii. [1]

Kamehameha IV died prematurely on November 30, 1863, at the age of 29, due to chronic asthma. He was succeeded by his brother, Kamehameha V. His funeral was a significant event, attended by hundreds of children and teachers. He was laid to rest alongside his son at the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii on February 3, 1864. [1]

His legacy is remembered through his unwavering commitment to Hawaiian sovereignty, his efforts to modernize the kingdom while preserving its cultural identity, and his profound impact on public health and education. The Queen's Medical Center stands as a lasting testament to his and Queen Emma's dedication to their people's well-being. The Feast of the Holy Sovereigns, celebrated annually on November 28 by the Episcopal Church in Hawaii, honors Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, recognizing their contributions to the spiritual and social fabric of the islands. [1]