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Maile Coulter

Ms. Lindsey

English

27 February 2017

Princess Victoria Ka’iulani Cleghorn

“It has been a strange life, really, and a very romantic one." - Victoria Ka’iulani

Cleghorn, thekaiulaniproject.com states. Victoria Kawēkiu Kaʻiulani Lunalilo

Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn was known for her beauty, grace, and courage for standing up for

her people. From the outside people thought she had distressing life, due to her early death, but

she lived quite an interesting journey. Princess Ka’iulani had several beloved family members

who influenced her upbringing. People have forgotten the importance of Ka’iulani’s part in

Hawaiian History. She had a fulfilled life although she never had the chance to become what she

practiced to be, the Queen.

Victoria Ka’iulani Cleghorn was born on October 16, 1875. Her mother, Princess Mirian

Likelike, daughter of Kapaakea, and Analea Keohokalole, was native to the Hawaiian Islands.

Likelike was a lively musician and composer, who was known for her kind heart, and welcoming

her home to many international visitors. Her father, Archibald Scott Cleghorn, son of Mr. and

Mrs. Thomas Cleghorn, is from Edinburgh, Scotland. He was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands

by his parents. Cleghorn was known for growing his father’s trade business into the most

successful business commercial chain in the islands. Cleghorn was also known for serving as

Oahu’s County Parks Commissioner. Princess Ka’iulani had three half-sisters that came from her
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father’s side. Her sisters were Rose Kaipuala Cleghorn, Helen Mani’iailehua Cleghorn, and

Annie Pauai Cleghorn. Ka’iulani loved her sisters dearly, especially Annie. Annie and Ka’iulani

shared the love of music, they would spend hours playing music together. She also had a strong

relationship with her godmother, Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani, who she called Auntie Ruth or

Mama Nui. Her godmother was the one who always kept Ka’iulani connected to old Hawaii.

In the summer of 1889, according to thekaiulaniproject.com, King Kalakaua announced

his official agreement for Ka’iulani and Annie Cleghorn to travel to England, and return a year

later in 1890. This turned into a four year affair. In England, Ka’iulani and Annie experienced

several new aspects of the world that influenced many of Ka'iulani’s interests, like how she

found a love for art. Ka’iulani and Annie spent a handful of their first months in England visiting

galleries, local landmarks, attending concerts, and even meeting celebrities. In September,

Ka’iulani and Annie were enrolled at Great Harrowden Hall in Northamptonshire, England.

While they were studying and working hard, they traveled to different countries, and raised funds

for the underprivileged. As Ka’iulani met many people, including men whom she had some

romantic interests with, she was always firm about when she married. She would marry for love.

Ka’iulani was close to marrying a German Count, but she knew what she wanted and believed in,

no matter what her aunt, Queen Kapi’olani said. During her time in England, in January of 1891,

Ka’iulani heard the tragic news of her uncle’s death, King Kalakaua. Now Queen Kapi’olani was

the only family she had left on her mother’s side. Ka’iulani was named heir to the throne by

Queen Lili’uokalani, her other aunt. As her travels continued, she grew homesick and torn

between the cultures. In 1892, Ka’iulani moved to Brighton for a fresh start. She was chaperoned

and tutored by Mrs. Rooke, who created a new curriculum for Ka’iulani to study, which included
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German, French and English. Soon after Ka’iulani had moved, she was sent a letter from Queen

Lili’uokalani about news that would change Ka’iulani’s life forever. The news was of the

Queen’s dethroning. All of Ka’iulani’s travels, studying and preparing to become queen one day,

was all for nothing.

On March 2, 1893, according to thekaiulaniproject.com, Ka’iulani released a statement,

that was her first step to setting her kingdom back to the way it was. “​ Four years ago, at the

request of Mr. Thurston, then a Hawaiian Cabinet Minister, I was sent away to England to be

educated privately and fitted to the position which by the constitution of Hawaii I was to inherit.

For all these years, I have patiently and in exile striven to fit myself for my return this year to my

native country. I am now told that Mr. Thurston will be in Washington asking you to take away

my flag and my throne. No one tells me even this officially. Have I done anything wrong that this

wrong should ‘be done to me and my people? I am coming to Washington to plead for my throne,

my nation and my flag. Will not the great American people hear me?​" Ka’iulani wanted what

she believed was right for her people. On February 22, 1893, Ka’iulani along with Mr. and Mrs.

Davies, and their daughter, Alice, boarded a ship to travel to Washington, D.C. At the age of

seventeen, says thekaiulaniproject.com, Princess Ka’iulani Cleghorn set foot in the white house.

She traveled all this way to Washington, D.C. to go to the White House and convince President

Grover Cleveland and his wife, First Lady Frances Cleveland, to stop the annexation. Ka’iulani

was prepared to win President Cleveland over with her beauty, grace, and sweetness, but still

staying firm with her beliefs. President Cleveland was charmed by her, and promised to reassess

the circumstances in Hawaii. Princess Ka’iulani’s trip to Washington was a success.

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On October 16, 1875 a baby girl named Victoria Kawēkiu Kaʻiulani Lunalilo

Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn was born. Heir to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom by Queen

Liliuokalani. Ka’iulani spent her early life preparing to become queen, while traveling Europe

and raising funds for the underprivileged. Until she received news after moving to Brighton,

England of the Queen's dethrone. All of her long waiting and preparation was thrown away. This

lead to the Kingdom falling into the hands of foreigners. The Hawaiian people and kingdom was

being demolished, Ka’iulani wanted what was right for her people. She set out on a journey to

Washington where she was to convince President Cleveland and his wife to stop this nonsense in

Hawaii. Only at the age of seventeen, she found her strength and willpower and convinced

President Cleveland to reassess the circumstances in Hawaii. Although Princess Ka’iulani had a

rigorous, and fulfilling life, it sadly came to an abrupt end. Months after returning to the

Hawaiian Islands in 1897, says aloha-hawaii.com, Ka’iulani was horseback riding on the Big

Island and was caught in a storm. Ka’iulani became ill with a cold that continued for several

months after. On March 6, 1899, Princess Ka’iulani died of pneumonia at the age of 23.

Acknowledge Ka’iulani for her bravery and determination to fight for the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Although she died young, and never lived to be what she prepared for, she still took a big part in

Hawaiian History.