David Kalakaua

Hawaiian king, politician, and musician

• Pronunciation: kah-LAH-kow-ah
• Born: November 16, 1836
• Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
• Died: January 20, 1891
• Place of death: San Francisco, California

Nicknamed Merrie Monarch, Kalakaua was the last king and second-to-last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He promoted the revival of the hula dance and wrote several compositions, including the lyrics for the current state anthem, “Hawai’i Pono’i.” One of his favorite musical instruments, the ukulele, is often associated with Hawaiian music.

Birth name: David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Naloiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalakaua

Areas of achievement: Government and politics, diplomacy, music

Early Life

Soon after his birth on November 16, 1836, David Kalakaua, whose name means “the day of the battle,” was given to High Chiefess Haaheo in a custom known as hanai, often translated as “adoption.” This common practice in Hawaii allowed children of ali’i (royal blood) to be raised by someone of equal or higher rank than their parents. Kalakaua’s parents, Chief Kapaakea and Chiefess Analea Keohokalole, had ten children, four of whom lived to adulthood.

Kalakaua lived the first years of his life in Lahaina, Maui. When he was about four years old, he started his formal education in Honolulu at the Chiefs’ Children’s School, later called the Royal School. Many future monarchs and leaders of the Hawaiian government attended the boarding school, where music was an important part of everyday life. When the boarding school ceased operations in 1849, Kalakaua continued his education, taking his first military instruction at the age of fourteen. Two years later, in 1852, Kalakaua received a commission in the army of the Hawaiian kingdom.

Life’s Work

During his early adulthood, Kalakaua held many military and governmental positions. Kalakaua was a lieutenant in the army and a member of the Privy Council and House of Nobles during the reign of Kamehameha IV. He also served as a secretary to the interior, postmaster general and as king’s chamberlain of King Lunalilo. Following the death of King Lunalilo in 1874, Kalakaua was elected to succeed him. His motto as king, Ho’oulu lahui (“Increase the race”), was intended to counter the devastating decrease in Hawaiian population that had been occurring since Western contact. During his reign, Kalakaua worked to secure the well-being and national identity of the Hawaiian people.

One means by which Kalakaua attempted to secure the Hawaiian nation was to increase its trade with other countries. Toward the end of his first year as king, in December 1874, Kalakaua undertook a diplomatic mission to visit U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant. Soon after, Kalakaua was able to secure the Reciprocity Treaty of 1876 with the United States, which improved Hawaii’s sugar trade.

Kalakaua engaged in diplomatic relations with leaders of other nations as well. In 1881, he embarked on an eight-month tour, becoming the first Hawaiian monarch to travel around the world. During this tour, he visited Japan, where he met with the Japanese emperor. Kalakaua visited many of the major cities of Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Upon his return, Kalakaua rebuilt Iolani Palace in a modern style and held an elaborate coronation festival for himself in an effort to outdo the simple ceremony that had been held upon his accession to the throne.

During his time in government, Kalakaua maintained his interest in music and musical instruments. He and his siblings William Pitt Leleiohoku, Lydia Liliu Kamakaeha, and Miriam Likelike, organized musical groups that often competed against one another. Kalakaua’s quintet played at social gatherings held at his boathouse or other locations. A photograph of his quintet shows one of the members holding a ukulele. Originally brought to the islands by the Portuguese, the instrument became popular among the people partly because Kalakaua favored and promoted its use in Hawaiian music.

Kalakaua’s siblings wrote songs for their respective musical groups. “Sweet Lei Lehua” was a popular song written by Kalakaua. His most famous is “Hawai’i Pono’i.” Originally titled “Hymn of Kamehameha I,” it became the fourth and final Hawaiian national anthem. Unlike the previous versions, which were addressed to God, Kalakaua’s lyrics focused on previous Hawaiian kings, particularly Kamehameha I, the first king. Through this song, Kalakaua honored Kamehameha I and attempted to solidify his own rule. It remained the Hawaiian national anthem for many years and later became the anthem of the state of Hawaii.

The music for “Hawai’i Pono’i” was composed by Heinrich “Henry” Berger, whom Kalakaua had invited to be bandmaster for the Royal Hawaiian Band. Formerly known as the King’s Band and begun in 1836, it flourished under Berger, who led the band from 1871 to 1915. The band was a significant part of many state functions, accompanying Kalakaua on his visits to other islands. It frequently played at Kalakaua’s state gatherings, such as at balls, breakfasts, and dinners, and at special events such as Kalakaua’s coronation on February 12, 1883.

Significance

One of the more controversial yet significant aspects of Kalakaua’s two-week coronation celebration was his inclusion of the hula at the event. Some critics saw the use of the hula as a return to pagan ways. Hula, the religious and sacred dance of Hawaiians, had been suppressed for several decades following the decline of the native religious system and the influx of Christian missionaries. Kalakaua invited elders who knew the dances and accompanying songs to assist him in preparation for his ceremony. Later, he also formed his own hula group to keep the tradition alive. Kalakaua’s revival of the hula helped the Hawaiian people to rediscover this element of their cultural history.

Because of his love of music, social events, and parties, Kalakaua earned the nickname Merrie Monarch. A weeklong competition, the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, continues to be held each year to recognize and perpetuate the legacy of Kalakaua.

Bibliography

Kalakaua, David. Legends and Myths of Hawaii: The Fables and Folklore of a Strange People. Honolulu: Mutual, 1990. Print. An anthology of myths collected by Kalakaua in the 1880s in an effort to preserve Hawaii’s oral tradition.

Kamehiro, Stacy L. The Arts of Kingship: Hawaiian Art and National Culture of the Kalakaua Era. Honolulu: U of Hawaii P, 2002. Print. Explores the connection between Kalakaua’s support of the arts and the Hawaiian nation.

Whitney, Mary S. “A Glimpse of Hawaii during the Reign of King Kalakaua: Opening of the Biennial Session of the Hawaiian Legislature.” Paradise of the Pacific 18.3 (1905): 34–35. Print. Describes Kalakaua’s 1883 coronation ceremony in detail, including his retinue, as well as other events.