The Peacock Princess

Hawaiian Crown Princess Victoria Kawekiu Lunalilo Kalahinuiahilapalapa Ka'iulani Cleghorn (Ka'iulani, as she was commonly known by), was what you could call an unexpected heroine. A young woman of strong faith, sharp intellect, and striking beauty; she represented her country with spirit and bore affliction with dignity.

Ka'iulani was born on October 16, 1875 to Archie Cleghorn, a Scottish financier, and his wife, Princess Miriam Likelike, the sister of the king of Hawaii. The king (Kalākaua) and his wife (Queen Kapi'olani) had no children, and Ka'iulani was second in line to the throne. After the death of the king, her aunt Lydia Lili‘uokalani became queen. At the age of fifteen, while at school in England, Ka'iulani learned she was now the Crown Princess. Unfortunately, two years later the government in Hawaii was overthrown and the queen deposed. It was at this point that the Peacock Princess (so called for her love of the peacocks that lived on her estate in Waikiki) stepped onto the public stage. She decided to travel to America and plead her countries cause.She was 17 years old.

The American press, being as obnoxious then as now, touted her visit as that of a barbarian princess from an uncivilized country. How shocked the people must have been to have seen the intelligent, refined, and mannered young princess! She gave a speech, the first public speech of her life, after she landed in America. "Seventy years ago Christian America sent over Christian men and women to give religion and civilization to Hawai'i. Today, three of the sons of those missionaries are at your capitol asking you to undo their father’s work. Who sent them? Who gave them the authority to break the Constitution which they swore they would uphold? Today, I, a poor weak girl with not one of my people with me and all these ‘Hawaiian’ statesmen against me, have strength to stand up for the rights of my people. Even now I can hear their wail in my heart and it gives me strength and courage and I am strong - strong in the faith of God, strong in the knowledge that I am right, strong in the strength of seventy million people who in this free land will hear my cry and will refuse to let their flag cover dishonor to mine!"

Not bad for a beginner, eh? Ka'iulani spent much time in America, eventually meeting President Glover Cleveland, who was very interesting in her cause. She dispelled all myths about the heathen nature of her country and dazzled society with her beauty. She spoke excellent English, in additon to Hawaiian, French, and German. Her guardian while in America was Theo Davies, who said this about her, "...Ka'iulani is not a mere worldling; she feels that her life is to be one of service to the King of Kings, and that she is to help her own people to live near Him. It is a solemn question for you to ask yourself how you can best help Ka'iulani in this work... I know it is Kaiulani's great desire to help the Hawaiian girls into lives of Christianity and purity."

However, politics being what they are (and I'm not even going to begin on the many reasons involved), the quest to restore the kingdom of Hawaii was not sucessful. It is thought that if the Spanish-American War not taken place, Ka'iulani might have been sucessful in regaining the throne for her aunt and, eventually, herself. This was however, not to be. The Princess returned to Hawaii. Her expected role in life was now forever taken from her, yet she bore her lot with dignity. She seemed to care more for her people's welfare under their new government than her own. She lived quietly at her estate until her death at the age 0f 23.

Throughout her short life, Ka'iulani made a great impression, first upon her nation who loved her devotedly, and then upon the world, who came to respect and admire her.