While walking through Waikīkī along Kūhiō Avenue, we came upon this lovely bronze statue of Princess Victoria Ka'iulani Cleghorn feeding a peacock. The statue is located on a small triangle park located at the corner of Kūhiō Avenue, Ka'iulani and Kānekapōlei Streets, in Waikīkī. During her lifetime, the princess' estate, 'Āinahau was located here. She enjoyed the company of peacocks as her mother owned a flock of them. The princess was often referred to as the "Peacock Princess".
This statue was sculpted by Jan Gordon Fisher, who also sculpted the famed Duke Kahanamoku statue located on Kalāukaua Avenue. The statue was commissioned by the Outrigger Enterprises and was unveiled on October 16, 1999 on the 124th anniversary of the Princess' birth.
Crown Princess Victoria Kawēkiu Kaiulani Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn (1875-1899) was heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. She was known throughout the World for her beauty, intelligence and determination. She was schooled in England and excelled in her studies (Art, Mathematics, Languages and History). After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by the United States in 1893, she left England to make speeches denouncing the overthrow and pointing out the injustices done toward her people. She traveled to meet with politicians and U.S. President Grover Cleveland trying to restore the Kingdom. Unfortunately, her efforts were unsuccessful as Annexation followed.
In 1898, while riding horseback in the mountains of the Big Island of Hawai'i, she was caught in a rainstorm. She developed pneumonia and returned to O'ahu where her health continued to decline. She lived only until age 23, dying from inflammatory rheumatism. It is said that upon her death, her father thought that since the Kingdom of Hawai'i gone, it was fitting for Ka'iulani to go as well.
Princess Ka'iulani is regarded as a heroine who fought for her nation in its hour of need. She was the last heir to the Hawaiian monarchy. In the Hawaiian culture, she is best honored through mele (chants, songs or poems) and hula (dance) traditions.
So now that you know a little bit about the Princess, perhaps the next time that you're down in Waikīkī, you might want to pay the statue a visit.
#534 read more