Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole

Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole (March 26, 1871 – January 7, 1922) was a pivotal figure in Hawaiian history, known as "Ke Aliʻi Makaʻāinana," or "Prince of the People." Born into the highest ranks of Hawaiian nobility, he navigated the tumultuous period of the Hawaiian Kingdom's overthrow and subsequent annexation by the United States, dedicating his life to the welfare and self-determination of the Hawaiian people. His legacy is deeply intertwined with efforts to preserve Hawaiian culture, restore land to native Hawaiians, and advocate for their rights within the American political system.

## Early Life and Lineage

Born on March 26, 1871, in Kukuiʻula, Kōloa, on the island of Kauaʻi, Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole was a direct descendant of the ancient ruling chiefs of Kauaʻi. His maternal grandfather was Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, a High Chief of Hilo, and his paternal grandfather was Jonah Piʻikoi, a High Chief of Kauaʻi. His Hawaiian name, Kūhiō, translates to "Chief who leaned forward as he stood," while Kalanianaʻole means "ambitious Chief" or "Chief who is never satisfied." This name proved prophetic, reflecting his lifelong dedication to his people.

Kūhiō's genealogy was complex, as was common among the aliʻi. He was an heir of Kaumualiʻi, the last ruling chief of Kauaʻi. Orphaned at a young age, his father, David Kahalepouli Piʻikoi, died in 1878, and his mother, Victoria Kinoiki Kekaulike, passed away in 1884. He was subsequently adopted by King David Kalākaua's wife, Queen Kapiʻolani, who was his maternal aunt. This traditional Hawaiian practice, known as *hānai*, solidified his position as a Prince of the Kingdom within the House of Kalākaua. In 1883, King Kalākaua officially named Kūhiō and his two brothers, David Kawānanakoa and Edward Abnel Keliʻiahonui, as royal successors to the Hawaiian throne, placing them in the line of succession after Princess Kaʻiulani.

## Education and Worldly Experiences

Prince Kūhiō received a comprehensive education, beginning at St. Alban's College (now ʻIolani School) and Oahu College (now Punahou School) in Honolulu. During his time at St. Alban's, a French teacher affectionately nicknamed him "Prince Cupid" due to his cheerful demeanor, a moniker that stayed with him throughout his life. Recognizing the importance of a broad education for future Hawaiian leaders, King Kalākaua initiated the 1880 Hawaiian Youths Abroad program. Under this program, Kūhiō and his brothers were sent to Saint Matthew's School in San Mateo, California, in 1885. Tragically, his brother Keliʻiahonui died in 1887 while home from school.

In 1890, Kūhiō and Kawānanakoa continued their studies in the United Kingdom, following their cousin Kaʻiulani who had been sent there a year prior. Kūhiō attended the Royal Agricultural College and later graduated from a business school in England. He was noted for his athletic prowess, excelling in sports such as football and cycling, and was described as an excellent marksman. During his time abroad, particularly in California and England, Kūhiō and his brothers were instrumental in introducing the Hawaiian sport of board surfing to locals, becoming the first California surfers in 1885 and the first surfers in the British Isles in 1890.

## Political Role and Overthrow of the Kingdom

Upon his return to Hawaiʻi, Prince Kūhiō held a minor position within the Department of the Interior and Customs Office. However, the political landscape of Hawaiʻi was rapidly changing. In 1893, the Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown by a coalition of American and European businessmen, leading to the establishment of a Provisional Government and later a republic, effectively ending the monarchy. This event profoundly impacted Kūhiō, who had been raised to rule.

At the age of twenty-four, Kūhiō actively participated in the 1895 Wilcox rebellion, an attempt to restore Queen Liliʻuokalani to the throne. The rebellion was unsuccessful, and Kūhiō was captured and sentenced to a year in prison. Despite the harsh circumstances, his fiancée, Elizabeth Kahanu Kalanianaʻole, visited him daily, demonstrating their deep bond.

## From Prince to Statesman: Advocating for Hawaiʻi

Following his release and the annexation of Hawaiʻi by the United States in 1898, which led to the formation of the Territory of Hawaii in 1900, Kūhiō and his wife embarked on a period of self-imposed exile, traveling extensively through the United States and Europe. During this time, they were often treated with the respect due to royalty. He even traveled to South Africa, where he either enlisted in the British Army or served as an observer during the Second Boer War.

Upon his return to Hawaiʻi, Kūhiō re-entered politics with a renewed determination to fight for the rights of native Hawaiians. He initially joined the Home Rule Party of Hawaii, which championed Hawaiian independence. However, in 1902, he broke away to form the short-lived Hui Kuokoa Party before ultimately joining the Republican Party. His political acumen led to his election as a delegate to the U.S. Congress, a position he held from March 4, 1903, until his death on January 7, 1922, winning ten consecutive elections. He remains the only royal-born member of the U.S. Congress.

As a congressional delegate, Prince Kūhiō was a tireless advocate for his people. He was instrumental in establishing local government at the county level in Hawaiʻi, creating a system that endures today, and ensured that Hawaiian appointees filled civil service positions. This approach blended American political patronage with the traditional Hawaiian practice of delegating authority to trusted retainers.

## Cultural Contributions and Legislative Achievements

Prince Kūhiō's dedication extended beyond politics to the preservation and promotion of Hawaiian culture. In 1903, he reorganized the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, which subsequently held the first observance of Kamehameha Day in 1904, a holiday still celebrated today. He was also a founder of the first Hawaiian Civic Club on December 7, 1918, an organization that continues to play a vital role in the Hawaiian community. In 1919, he helped organize a centenary celebration of the death of Kamehameha I.

One of his most significant legislative achievements was the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921. Kūhiō believed that returning native Hawaiians to the land was crucial for their rehabilitation and cultural survival. Although the Act, as passed, included controversial blood-quantum requirements and leased rather than granted fee-simple ownership, it was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at creating homesteads for native Hawaiians. Kūhiō served on the first Hawaiian Homes Commission, demonstrating his commitment to its implementation.

He also played a role in the women's suffrage movement. In 1915 and 1916, he brought bills to the U.S. Congress requesting the right for the territorial legislature to rule on women's suffrage. Although initially met with little attention, his persistence, aided by New England suffragist Almira Hollander Pitman, led to the enactment of a bill in June 1918 that allowed the territory of Hawaii to decide on suffrage. While local legislation ultimately did not pass due to internal disagreements, the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote, was passed the following year.

## Personal Life and Descendants

Prince Kūhiō married Elizabeth Kahanu Kaʻauwai, a high chiefess. They had one daughter, Princess Maude Kanaka Kalanianaʻole, born in 1894. Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Princess Maude was given to an honorable family in a protective private adoption. While Prince Kūhiō's direct line through Princess Maude was through private adoption, the broader royal succession circles recognized the Kawānanakoa family, particularly Prince David Kawānanakoa, as having descendants today. King Kalākaua's will had named Kūhiō and his brothers as potential successors, and the Kawānanakoa line continues to be recognized in discussions of Hawaiian royalty.

## Death and Enduring Legacy

Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole died on January 7, 1922, at the age of 50, in Waikīkī, Oʻahu, Territory of Hawaii. His body was interred on January 15, 1922, at the Royal Mausoleum, Mauna ʻAla, in Nuʻuanu, Oʻahu, alongside his royal family. His widow, Kahanu, personally funded the renovation of the mausoleum chapel in his honor.

Kūhiō's legacy as "Prince of the People" endures. He is remembered as a staunch defender of Hawaiian rights and culture. Numerous places and institutions bear his name, including streets, beaches, surf breaks, Kuhio Beach Park in Poipu (near his birthplace), the Prince Kūhiō Plaza Shopping Center, and the Prince Kuhio Federal Building. His birthday, March 26, is celebrated as Prince Kūhiō Day, a state holiday in Hawaiʻi, honoring his profound contributions to the Hawaiian people and his unwavering commitment to their future. His efforts laid foundational groundwork for modern Hawaiian self-determination movements and continue to inspire those working for the betterment of the Hawaiian community.