Saturday Briefing

By Kathy Hansberry

Last week, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and OHANA Hotels & Resorts celebrated the birthday of the late Princess Victoria Kawekiu Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Ka‘iulani Cleghorn (1875-1899) with a special lei draping ceremony on Friday, October 16, at the Princess Ka‘iulani Triangle Park across from the OHANA Waikiki East hotel. The morning ceremony began with a conch blowing, oli (chant), and tribute by ‘Ahahui Ka‘iulani, followed by ho‘okupu (gifts) from various Hawaiian Societies. A noticeable crowd, including members from Outrigger’s executive team, employees, and the general public, gathered around the park to take part in this memorable event and to pay their tribute.

This year’s dedication was extra special because it marked the ten-year anniversary of the Princess Ka‘iulani statue, which was commissioned in 1999 by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and the Kelley family, as part of their commitment to restoring Waikiki’s history and honoring the life of the Princess. The bronze statue of Ka‘iulani was created by artist/sculptor Jan Gordon Fisher and was formally dedicated to the people of Hawai‘i and Waikiki on October 16, 1999. It stands 7.5 feet tall and weighs 800 pounds. The Princess is featured wearing a Victorian dress and a lei of her favorite flower, the pikake (Chinese jasmine). Ka‘iulani, who adored peacocks, is shown feeding a peacock at her feet.

Princess Ka‘iulani was born in 1875 to Princess Miriam Likelike, the sister of King Kalakaua and Queen Lili‘uokalani, and Governor Archibald Scott Cleghorn. She was the only child born to the last ruling dynasty of the Hawaiian Kingdom. During the 19th century, Ka‘iulani and her parents acquired 12 acres of land in the vicinity of where the OHANA Waikiki East now stands. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, Ka‘iulani returned to Hawai‘i from her schooling in Europe and fought for the return of the throne to her aunt, Lili‘uokalani. Distraught over the loss of the kingdom, Ka‘iulani visited with friends on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. After riding her horse in a rainstorm, Ka‘iulani took ill and never fully recovered. The Princess died on March 6, 1899, at the age of 23.

This event is sponsored by the OHANA Waikiki East, as part of Outrigger’s ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing our islands’ contemporary and ancient culture. Mahalo to Alan Naito, Suzanne Lee, Eddie Vierra, and the entire OHANA Waikiki East team for their hard work and dedication in making this annual event a success. Special thanks to this year’s lei drapers, Jonathan To and Larry Pascal, of the Maintenance department.