On October 16^th 1875, a baby girl was born in Honolulu . Her name was “Victoria Kawekiu Lunalio Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kaiulani Cleghorn”,

but more commonly known as Princess Kaiulani - Kaiulani translates to “royal sacred one” or “the highest point of heaven”.

Her mother was Miriam Likelike, who was Hawaiian and her father was Archibald Cleghorn born and educated in Scotland . He came to the Hawaiian Islands aged 16 with his father Thomas; they had arrived on the British brig called “Sisters”, from Auckland .

Thomas died in Honolulu in the same year, leaving 16 year old Archie to run the small dry goods store he had started up there. Archie’s mother soon went back to New Zealand but her son decided to stay on and prospered in business. Four years later he was doing well in the mercantile industry and he had stores on other neighbouring islands as well as Honolulu .

He met an Hawaiian lady called Elizabeth and he went on to have three daughters with her, Helen, Rose and Annie, all this happened while he was still in his thirties.

He had a home on Queen Emma Street in downtown Honolulu and his love of horticulture (which he had gained from his father) started there. His house had beautiful gardens created by himself.

When he was 35, he married 19 year old Miriam Likelike (as Elizabeth had since died). She was from a chiefly family and they had an estate called Ainahuau in Wakiki. It was there that he really got to use his talent for growing and caring for plants and trees. Amongst the many things he had planted and nurtured at their home were, eight varieties of mango trees, trees of teak, cinnamon, soap and an Indian tree with scarlet flowers shaped like a tiger's claw. He also created 3 lily ponds and added the peafowl for the wildlife addition to this beautiful haven he had created in his grounds.

(left) Archibald Cleghorn (centre) Kaiulani and her father (right) Princess Likelike

King David Kalakaua

As Kaiulani’s Uncle and Aunt never had any children of their own, she was placed third in line to the throne from birth, which was celebrated with the tolling of bells and gun salutes.

(above) Kaiulani as a child (below) Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani

The Cleghorn family lived at Ainahau in Waikiki which was owned by Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani, who was Kaiulani’s godmother.

Sadly on 2^nd February 1887 aged 36, Princess Kaiulani’s mother Miriam died and left her 12 year old daughter sorrowful at the loss. However, the brave princess had the duty to stay in the palace for three weeks while her mother’s body was lying in state in the throne room and she was even part of the funeral procession.

Princess Kaiulani found a friend in Robert Louis Stevenson when he moved into one of the neighbouring residences in January 1889. He helped her in many ways at different times of her short life and with the loss of her mother still obviously affecting her, he brought some joy to the dark times that had already happened and would continue to happen to the teenager.

Robert Louis Stevenson had been a friend of Miriam Likelike and was very taken with the family, and especially fond of the young Princess who thought that his hair was much too long!

When he learned of the Princess’ father’s plan to send her abroad for schooling, he feared that the drastic change of climate would prove detrimental to her health, it was not his place however, to voice these fears to her father.

Sadly his fears were to come true, and unfortunately very early on in her life.

Robert Louis Stevenson

A music box given to the Princess by Stevenson is amongst a collection at the Hulihe’e Palace in Hawaii , but the selection of tunes it plays has never been identified.

He also prepared the Princess for her trip to England by telling her as much information as he could about the place. He even wrote the Princess a poem in her autograph book before she left:

Harrowden Hall

It was away on these ‘education trips’, that the Princess learned of Robert Louis Stevenson’s death aged 44 from a brain haemorrhage on December 3^rd 1894, which affected her greatly.

The Yews in 1914, about 20 years after Kaiulani stayed there

Although intelligent anyway, she studied French and German and was rated third in her French class. Art was also a subject she studied and enjoyed. Her stay in England was for several years, although initially she was told it would only be for one.

Throughout her time here she missed her home land greatly and suffered a lot of headaches and illness. When she returned home for any length of the time, the heat was very often too much for her, and whilst her education continued forward, Hawaii was changing into a very different place to what she would remember.

The monarchy - political and economical tensions

Queen Regent Lili’uokalani

It was not long after this that Kaiulani was born whilst her uncle was in power. After his death in 1891, his sister Lili’uokalani became queen but in name only.

Lili’uokalani unfortunately took on her brother’s political problems which had arisen over his dislike for the foreign businessmen and the high tax payments they had been forced to make because of their success. They had begun to believe that David Kalakua was corrupt and wanted him rid of his powers and were not happy that his sister had taken his role over.

Sugar was the main support of the islands and they relied on the U.S. as their main market. Plantation ownership and control was in the hands of American or European business men.

In 1887, during King David’s reign, a group of planters and businessmen, seeking to control the kingdom politically and economically, formed a secret organization, the “Hawaiian League” made up of mostly Americans.

The organizer was Lorrin A. Thurston who also went on to be the leader of the plan to overthrow the monarchy. King David was allowed to remain on the throne, with dethroning as a last resort if he refused to obey them. He finally signed the Bayonet Constitution which eliminated his power and gave all major voting rights to those that had the most money, these being the American and European business men and not the majority of native Hawaiians. When King David died his sister Lili’uokalani had to swear to uphold this constitution. Lorrin A. Thurston’s plan came into play for the annexation and overthrow of her, obviously kept secret as they were talking treason.

Thurston went to Washington to promote the take-over.

This new constitution that they wanted Lili’uokalani to uphold was refused by her Cabinet, fearing her enemies would use it against her. She stated that she was ready to discuss a new constitution but at a later date. The Annexation Club then claimed that by holding it off she had committed a revolutionary act.

The then American minister John L. Stevens said he would not protect the queen and he would land troops to protect the Americans there if needed.

The queen - to avoid bloodshed - surrendered Hawaii ’s sovereignty, believing that the American government would eventually restore her to the throne.

Lili’uokalani wrote to President Cleveland of the U.S. requesting this to be looked into and Kaiulani went to Washington to appeal for the monarchy.

After investigations by James H. Blount, former chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, he ordered the troops back to their ship and the American flag to be replaced by the Hawaiian.

Changing times - old stamp; new regime

A search of Lili’uokalani’s home found a stash of arms buried in a flower garden and she was promptly arrested. Shortly after she was imprisoned at Iolani Palace , she found a document of abdication which she believed if she didn’t sign, would mean execution of her followers for treason.

The Iolani Palace - then and now

In 1896 after she was released, she went to Washington with documents signed by many Hawaiian’s asking President Cleveland to re-instate their queen. It was unfortunately too late for him to help anymore.

Hawaiian’s submitted a petition to Congress with 29,000 signatures opposing the annexation. Ultimately, the annexationists won and the sovereignty of Hawaii was formally transferred to the U.S.

Sandford Dole was appointed the governor of the territory of Hawaii and the Hawaiian flag was lowered and replaced by the American one. The Hawaiian people had lost their land, their monarchy and now their independence.