Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The 183rd birthday of King David Kalākaua

Born November 16, 1836, David Laʻamea Kamananakapu Mahinuilani Naloiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua was the second child of Caesar Kapaʻakea and Analea Keohokāole. Born in a grass hut compound at th ebase of Punchbowl Crater, Kalākaua was born into the aliʻi class of Hawaiian nobility and attended the Chiefs' Children's School where those marked eligible for the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi studied.

He ascended to the throne during the election of 1874 against Queen Emma and ruled the islands int he same convivial manner he was known to have during his youth. During his reign he brought back the hula which had been banned in 1820, set out for an international trip of goodwill in 1881, and oversaw the construction of ʻIolani Palace which stands to this day. Despite the highlights, his reign was also filled with dark times including his forced signing of the Bayonet Constitution in 1887 which was written by anti-monarchists aiming to strip the Hawaiian monarchy of much of its authority and change the requirements of voting in the islands.

Kalākaua ruled the islands until his death on January 20, 1891 during a trip to California. It took 9 days for news of his death to reach the islands and on January 29, 1891, his sister, Princess Lydia Kanakaʻeha ascended to throne and become Queen Liliʻuokalani.

Below are additional resources on King Kalākaua and life in the islands during his time.

Amstrong, W. (1995). Around the world with a king. Honolulu, HI: Mutual Publishing.

This book captures the entirely of Kalākaua's trip around the world beginning with his plans -- the valet he would bring, the scope of his tour, the ceremonies he would attend, etc. -- and details his journey by location visited. From the Shrines of Shiba to the Harbors of Hong Kong, Kalākaua and his delegation traveled far and wide to learn about the world and also share Hawaiʻi on an international level.



Kameshiro, S. (2009). The arts of kingship: Hawaiian art and national culture of the Kalākaua era. Honolulu, HI: UH Press.

"Offers a sustained and detailed account of Hawaiian public art and architecture during the reign of David Kalākaua... provides visual and historical analysis of Kalākaua's coronation and relagia, the King Kamehameha Statute, ʻIolani Palace, and the Hawaiian National Museum... This interdisciplinary work will appeal to art and architecture historians as well as those studying Pacific history, cultural and museum studies, and anthropology." -from publisher (also available as e-book)




Siler, J. (2012). Lost kingdom: Hawaii's last queen, the sugar kings, and America's first imperial adventure. 

"Deftly weaving together a memorable cast of characters, "Lost Hawaii" brings to life the ensuing clash between a vulnerable Polynesian people and relentlessly expanding capitalist powers. Portraits of royalty and rogues, sugar barons, and missionaries combine into a sweeping tale of the Hawaiian Kingdom's ride and fall." -from publisher

Zambucka, K. (1983). Kalakaua: Hawaii's last king. Honolulu, HI: Mana Pub. Co.

Anecdotes, personal letters, historical newspaper excerpts are woven together to present the colorful reign of King David Kalākaua, the last king of Hawaʻi. Written by the award-winning author of countless books on Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, Zambucka began writing at the age of seventeen and has traveled the world gathering research on her writings.






Friday, November 1, 2019

November is National Gratitude Month

Every November gratitude is a theme many reflect upon as they think of all the lessons and blessings they have experienced throughout the year. While some feel gratitude is merely a feeling of thanks, researchers at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, have found the following trends in individuals who practice gratitude:
    • stronger immune systems
    • lower blood pressure
    • more optimism, joy, and happiness
    • more compassion
    • less feelings of loneliness or isolation
Below are some resources for you to enjoy this November to learn more about gratitude or even how you can practice gratitude in your daily life. 


"A collection of 101 true stories from real people about realizing the blessings in their lives after they have lived through adversity, whether financial, job-related, health-related, natural disasters, or the death of loved ones. The stories are about their fortitude, their gratitude for the lives they still have, and the silver linings they have found amidst their troubles and challenges." (from publisher)

"A member of the Calmaldolese order of monks... Steindl-Rost does a wonderful job of exploring the relationship between prayer and that sense of gratefulness that comes with love, which is at the very center of what it means to be human." --Doug Thrope, via publisher

"Gratitude is often understood as etiquette rather than ethics, an emotion rather than politics... Gratitude: An intellectual history examines changing conceptions of gratitude from Homer to the present." (from publisher)

"Gratitude, like other positive emotions, has inspired many theological and philosophical writings, but it has inspired little vigorous, empirical research... this volume brings together prominent scientists from various disciplines to examine what has become known as the most neglected emotion." (from publisher)




For those wanting to challenge and grow their sense of gratitude, there is also the 30-Days of Gratitude Journaling Challenge: