"Prince Kuhio's casket is lowered into the Kalakaua crypt at Mauna'ala. His wife, Princess Elizabeth Kalanianaole, is center supported by former Mayor John C. Lane at her right, and the young Princess Kapiolani to her left."
BY Christine Hitt
April 8, 2010
Last month, on March 26, Kuhio Day was observed as a State holiday. Coincidentally, a few days before that, I ran across the February 1922 issue of Paradise of the Pacific in which writer, George Mellen, talked of Prince Kuhio’s death, funeral and fond memories.
“On the handsome gold and silver shield which marks the casket in which his body was laid to rest is inscribed the legend ‘Ke Alii Makaainana,’ which means ‘A Prince of the People.’ He was just that, and the love that his people bore him could not have been so deep and sincere had he been less, even though of the revered alii.”
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Piikoi was his full name, brother to Prince David Kawananakoa Piikoi, and descendents of the Kalakaua line and the kings of the Island of Kauai. “In course of time the brothers dropped the family name, each taking his middle name as his surname,” wrote Mellen. Though it is not clear to me why that was done. In addition to being called ‘Kuhio’ and ‘Prince,’ he also had the nickname, ‘Cupid.’ It was a name given to him in grade school that was used for him by his oldest friends up until his death.
The fact that he was attached to the royal court during the overthrow of the monarchy, it is no wonder that he had been a Hawaiian Royalist. Years later, he accepted the new order and was elected as a delegate to the US Congress, where he served for 20 consecutive years. While in Congress, he found ways to help the Hawaiian people and perpetuating the culture, including being apart of setting up what is now the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Writes Mellen, “The last great work of Prince Kalanianaole was for his people. He labored ceaselessly for more than a year on a scheme of rehabilitation through which it is hoped the Hawaiian may be returned to the land of his ancestors, to live as fisherman and farmer. Against formidable and aggresively active opposition the Prince managed to consummate his plans, and the ‘Rehabilitation Bill’ is now a law. Through its operation large tracts of land on the Island of Molokai will be allotted to those of Hawaiian blood who desire to return to husbandry. Each will receive a sizeable farm and a sum in cash sufficient to put it under cultivation and sustain a family until the crops begin to yield…”
The story of the funeral which Mellen goes on to tell about for pages describes the love that the people had for the Prince and the elaborate ceremonial funeral that was given to him–though, Prince Kuhio had requested a simple funeral for himself. As you can see from the pictures within this post, “not even the power of a wish expressed by their beloved Prince could influence the Hawaiian people against a state funeral.”
"Members of the Chiefs of Hawaii: Standing at the extreme right of the picture is Judge A.G.M Robertson, wearing a cape of peacock feathers. Looking over the judge's shoulder is William Ahia, and at his right is Duke Kahanamoku."
"Three hundred men of the poolas, uniformed in white with purple sashes, drew the catafalque from the palace to the royal mausoleum in Nuuanu Valley. These men are stevedores and their society is the oldest workmen's benevolent order in the Islands. The women in black holokus at the extreme left of the picture were at one time or another members of the Prince's household."
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