David Laʻamea Kamanakapuʻu Māhinulani Nālaʻiaʻehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua, King of the Hawaiian Kingdom

David Laʻamea Kamanakapuʻu Māhinulani Nālaʻiaʻehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua, often referred to as King Kalākaua, was the last reigning king and penultimate monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. His reign, from February 12, 1874, until his death on January 20, 1891, marked a pivotal period in Hawaiian history, characterized by efforts to revive Hawaiian culture and sovereignty amidst increasing foreign influence. Known affectionately as "The Merrie Monarch," Kalākaua was celebrated for his convivial personality, his love for music and dance, and his dedication to preserving Hawaiian traditions.

## Early Life and Family Lineage

Born at 2:00 a.m. on November 16, 1836, in a grass hut compound at the base of Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Kalākaua was the son of Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaʻakea and Analea Keohokālole. Both his parents were of the aliʻi (nobility) class, with deep ancestral ties to the ruling House of Kamehameha. His lineage traced back to Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku and Kameʻeiamoku, one of the royal twins depicted on the Hawaiian coat of arms and a royal counselor to Kamehameha I. Kalākaua was the second surviving child in a large family, which included his elder brother James Kaliokalani, and younger siblings Lydia Kamakaʻeha (who would later become Queen Liliʻuokalani), Anna Kaʻiulani, Kaʻiminaʻauao, Miriam Likelike, and William Pitt Leleiohoku II [3] [4] [5] [6] [7].

In accordance with Hawaiian tradition, Kalākaua was hānai (informally adopted) to other family members. Initially promised to Kuini Liliha, he was instead given to High Chiefess Haʻaheo Kaniu and her husband Keaweamahi Kinimaka. After Haʻaheo Kaniu's death in 1843, his guardianship was entrusted to Kinimaka, who took Kalākaua to live in Lāhainā, Maui [3] [4] [8] [9].

## Education and Political Beginnings

At the age of four, Kalākaua returned to Oʻahu to attend the Chiefs' Children's School (later the Royal School), where he was formally proclaimed by Kamehameha III as eligible for the Hawaiian throne. His classmates included his siblings and future monarchs Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, and Lunalilo. Taught by American missionaries Amos Starr Cooke and Juliette Montague Cooke, Kalākaua became fluent in both English and Hawaiian. He was known more for his spirited personality than academic prowess, often defending his elder brother from older students [10] [11] [12]. After the school closed in 1850, he continued his education at Joseph Watt's English school and later Reverend Edward G. Beckwith's Royal School. Illness interrupted his studies, and he returned to Lāhainā. In 1853, he began studying law under Charles Coffin Harris, whom he would later appoint as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Hawaiʻi in 1877 [3] [12] [17] [18].

Kalākaua's political and military career began early. He received military training under Major Francis Funk, fostering an admiration for the Prussian military system [19] [12]. He served as an aide-de-camp to Prince Liholiho (Kamehameha IV) in 1852, and was commissioned as a brevet captain in the infantry the following year. He rose through the ranks, becoming a major on Kamehameha IV's personal staff in 1855 and a colonel in 1858 [20] [21] [19] [12]. He became a close associate of Prince Lot (Kamehameha V), who instilled in him the mission of "Hawaiʻi for Hawaiians" [22].

In 1856, Kalākaua was appointed to the Privy Council of State and the House of Nobles, serving in the latter until 1873 [25] [26]. He held various government positions, including 3rd Chief Clerk of the Department of the Interior and Postmaster General. He was also the King's Chamberlain and was admitted to the Hawaiian bar in 1870 [12] [27] [28] [29]. Mark Twain, who visited Hawaiʻi in 1866, described Kalākaua as "a man of fine presence, is an educated gentleman and a man of good abilities... He is a quiet, dignified, sensible man, and would do no discredit to the kingly office" [30].

## Marriage and Accession to the Throne

In 1863, Kalākaua married Kapiʻolani, the granddaughter of Kaumualiʻi, the last king of Kauaʻi. Their marriage, though childless, was a significant alliance between two prominent aliʻi families [31] [32] [33].

Following the death of King Lunalilo in 1874 without an heir, the Hawaiian constitution mandated that the legislature elect a new monarch. Kalākaua ran against Queen Emma, the widow of Kamehameha IV. The election was contentious, but Kalākaua ultimately won by a vote of 39 to 6. His victory, however, led to riots by Queen Emma's supporters, which were eventually quelled by American and British troops [34] [35] [36] [37]. Kalākaua was proclaimed king on February 13, 1874, and crowned on February 12, 1883, at ʻIolani Palace [66] [67].

## Reign and Political Decisions

Kalākaua's reign was marked by a strong commitment to strengthening the Hawaiian Kingdom and preserving its culture. He sought to counter the growing influence of foreign powers, particularly the United States. One of his most significant achievements was negotiating the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 with the United States, which granted Hawaiian sugar duty-free entry into the American market in exchange for the United States gaining exclusive use of Pearl Harbor. This treaty brought significant economic prosperity to Hawaiʻi but also increased American economic and political leverage [82] [83] [591] [592].

In 1881, Kalākaua embarked on a historic world tour, becoming the first reigning monarch to circumnavigate the globe. His journey aimed to promote Hawaiian interests, strengthen diplomatic ties, and encourage the immigration of contract sugar plantation workers to address labor shortages. He visited countries across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, meeting with heads of state and observing various forms of governance and industry. During his travels, he notably met with Thomas Edison to discuss electric lighting for ʻIolani Palace, making it one of the first royal residences in the world to be electrified [596] [597] [598] [599] [600] [601] [602] [603].

Domestically, Kalākaua invested heavily in public works, including the rebuilding of ʻIolani Palace, which became a symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty and modernity [85] [606] [608] [609] [615] [616]. He also instituted a government-financed program to send qualified Hawaiian students abroad for further education, aiming to broaden their knowledge and skills for the benefit of the kingdom [84].

However, Kalākaua's reign was not without challenges. His extravagant spending and plans for a Polynesian confederation fueled opposition from annexationists who sought to undermine the monarchy. In 1887, he was forced to sign the Bayonet Constitution under duress, which significantly curtailed his powers and disenfranchised many Native Hawaiians and Asian immigrants. This constitution effectively made the monarch a figurehead and transferred much of the power to a cabinet dominated by American and European businessmen [95] [19] [631] [632] [633] [634] [635] [636]. The Bayonet Constitution was a major blow to Hawaiian sovereignty and a precursor to the eventual overthrow of the monarchy.

## Cultural Contributions and Legacy

Kalākaua was a passionate advocate for Hawaiian culture, earning him the moniker "The Merrie Monarch." He actively worked to revive and preserve traditional Hawaiian arts and practices that had been suppressed by missionary influence. He famously revived the hula, which had been banned in public, and encouraged the performance of traditional chants and music [80] [81]. He was a talented musician and composer, known for composing "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī," which later became the national anthem of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and is now the state anthem [605]. He also introduced the ukulele to Hawaiʻi, an instrument that quickly became synonymous with Hawaiian music [80].

His cultural initiatives extended to publishing a written version of the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation chant, ensuring its preservation for future generations. He supported the Hawaiian language press and cultural societies, such as the Hale Nauā Society, dedicated to the study of ancient Hawaiian traditions and sciences. The annual Merrie Monarch Festival, a world-renowned hula competition, is held in his honor, celebrating his enduring legacy in Hawaiian culture [604].

Kalākaua's legacy is complex. He is remembered as a visionary leader who tirelessly worked to restore Hawaiian pride and sovereignty. His efforts to revive Hawaiian culture, his diplomatic endeavors, and his modernization projects left an indelible mark on the kingdom. However, his reign also saw the erosion of monarchical power and the increasing encroachment of foreign interests, culminating in the Bayonet Constitution. Despite these challenges, he remains a revered figure in Hawaiian history, symbolizing a period of cultural resurgence and a valiant struggle for national independence.

Today, King Kalākaua is honored through various institutions and places. The Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, is perhaps the most prominent tribute, celebrating his passion for hula and Hawaiian culture. His statue stands proudly in Honolulu, a testament to his enduring presence in the hearts of the Hawaiian people. His name is also associated with schools, streets, and other public works throughout the islands, serving as a constant reminder of his contributions to the Hawaiian Kingdom and its people.