Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Kawēkiu i Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn

Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Kawēkiu i Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn, often simply known as Kaʻiulani, was a Hawaiian royal and the last heir apparent to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Born on October 16, 1875, in Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiian Kingdom, she was the only child of Princess Miriam Likelike and Scottish businessman Archibald Scott Cleghorn. Her birth was a significant event, marked by gun salutes and the ringing of church bells, and she was christened on December 25, 1875, at St. Andrew's Anglican Cathedral. Her godparents included King Kalākaua, Queen Kapiʻolani, and Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani. Kaʻiulani's full name reflected her royal and familial connections: Victoria honored Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, while Kaʻiulani, from _ka ʻiu lani_, meant "the royal sacred one." Kawēkiu signified "the highest rank or station," and Lunalilo was given to honor her uncle King Lunalilo, strengthening her claim to the throne. Kalaninuiahilapalapa linked her to the royal house of Keawe and the symbolic flames of the Kalākaua dynasty.

Kaʻiulani's early life was spent at ʻĀinahau, a country estate in Waikiki gifted to her by Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani and further developed by her father. The estate, named ʻĀinahau (cool place) by her mother, featured extensive botanical gardens, including Kaʻiulani's banyan tree. Her mother, Princess Likelike, died on February 2, 1887, when Kaʻiulani was just eleven years old, leaving her to inherit the estate. From a young age, Kaʻiulani received a comprehensive education from governesses and private tutors, becoming fluent in Hawaiian, English, French, and German. She read biographies of Queen Victoria, her namesake, and was prepared for her future role as a monarch. Her education abroad was part of a broader initiative by King Kalākaua to provide Hawaiian leaders with a global perspective.

In 1889, at the age of 13, Kaʻiulani was sent to England to continue her education under the guardianship of Theo H. Davies, a British businessman and Hawaiian sugar investor. This period coincided with significant political turmoil in Hawaii. The Bayonet Constitution of 1887 had already severely limited the monarch's power, increasing the influence of Euro-American interests. The situation escalated with the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, just before Kaʻiulani's eighteenth birthday. The Committee of Safety, responsible for the overthrow, rejected proposals to place Kaʻiulani on the throne, despite efforts by her father and provisional president Sanford B. Dole. Queen Liliʻuokalani, Kaʻiulani's aunt and the reigning monarch, temporarily relinquished her power to the United States, hoping for justice and restoration.

During this critical time, Kaʻiulani became a vocal advocate for the restoration of the Hawaiian monarchy. She traveled to the United States, making speeches and public appearances to denounce the overthrow and appeal for the return of her government. She even paid an informal visit to President Grover Cleveland and First Lady Frances Cleveland in Washington, D.C. Despite her eloquent pleas, her efforts were ultimately in vain. The political upheaval also led to severe financial hardship for Kaʻiulani and her father, as her government stipend ceased and his income as a government employee ended. They spent the years between 1893 and 1897 moving among European aristocracy and family friends before returning to Hawaii.

Upon her return to Hawaii in 1897, Kaʻiulani lived as a private citizen, engaging in social activities. She and Liliʻuokalani notably boycotted the 1898 annexation ceremony, mourning the loss of Hawaiian independence. However, she later hosted the American congressional delegation involved in formalizing the Hawaiian Organic Act. Kaʻiulani suffered from chronic health problems throughout the 1890s, which ultimately led to her untimely death on March 6, 1899, at her home in ʻĀinahau, at the age of 23. Her burial took place on March 12, 1899, at the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii in Honolulu.

Kaʻiulani's legacy is profound and multifaceted. She is remembered as a symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty and a tragic figure who fought tirelessly for her people's independence. Her grace, intelligence, and determination, even in the face of immense adversity, earned her the admiration of many, including author Robert Louis Stevenson, who became a close friend. She was also known for her love of surfing, a traditional Hawaiian sport, and is sometimes credited as a mother of modern surfing. Today, her memory is honored through various institutions and places, such as Kaʻiulani Elementary School in Honolulu. Her life story continues to inspire and educate, serving as a poignant reminder of the Hawaiian Kingdom's struggle against annexation and the enduring spirit of its people. Her name, meaning "the royal sacred one," truly encapsulates her enduring significance in Hawaiian history.