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.