March 17, 1914 - A TRIBUTE PAID TO THE MEMORY OF KING KAMEHAMEHA III

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The centenary of Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III, was celebrated at Kawaiahao Church under the auspices of the Daughters of Hawaii. This old church, that has witnessed so many of the royal ceremonials of the Hawaiian people, was taxed to the utmost of its seating capacity. More than twenty-six hundred persons viewed the unveilling of the memorial tablet which had been prepared by the Daughters of Hawaii to mark the birthplace of “The Generous King” at Keauhou, in Kai-malino, Hawaii.

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The tablet was hidden from view by the Royal Standard of Liliuokalani and a Hawaiian flag, both the property of and loaned by Hawaii’s venerable ex-queen for the sacred ceremonial. The Queen of the Kalakaua Dynasty and High Chiefess Elizabeth Kekaaniau Laanui Pratt of the Kamehameha Dynasty, both of whom are lineal descendants of Keawe, were seated on either side of the memorial stone in the nave of the church. The palace chairs in which they sat were draped with ancient Hawaiian feather capes of priceless value.  High Chiefess Elizabeth Kekaaniau is a great grand niece of Kamehameha I.

 

Oldtime Dignitaries Attend

In back of Queen Liliuokalani and High Chiefess Elizabeth Kekaaniau Laanui Pratt were High Chiefs Beckley and Hoapili, clad in the ceremonial feather cloaks and helmets of the Royal Courtiers. High Chief Fred Kahapula Beckley, the spear-bearer, is a direct descendant through his father’s side from Kameeiamoku. High Chief Albert Kalaninoanoa Hoapili, the kahili bearer, is a lineal descendant of Kamanawa, the royal kahili bearer. These two therefore,  represented the spear-bearer and kahili bearer who are shown on the Hawaiian coat of arms and are descendants of the two chief court alii of Kamehameha I.  On either side of the royal court representatives were the kahili bearers in ordinary, sixteen young men from the Kamehameha School for Boys, robed in feather capes and the costumes of the warrior of old, representative of the court attendants.

 

Queen & High Chiefess Releases Tablet Cover

After the singing of a hymn “How Firm a Foundation,” Rev. Henry E. Poepoe gave the invocation. Then the royal chanter, Mrs. Naha Hakuole, chanted the koihonua or song of geneology of the king. After this the Queen drew the cord releasing her Royal Standard or personal flag while High Chiefess Elizabeth Kekaaniau released the Hawaiian flag covering the tablet. This impressive ceremony was followed by the koihonua, “The Prayer of Live,” the most sacred of all the ancient songs or chants of the Hawaiian people, rendered by Mrs. Hakuole. The legend is that Kauikeaouli was born as one dead and that life was restored to the body of the royal babe in answer to this “Prayer of Life” changed by the court chanter a hundred years ago.  Succeeding this orations commemorative of the life and good deeds of Kamehameha were delivered by Judge A. S. Mahaulu, Rev. W. B. Oleson and Rev. John T. Gulick. At the close of Rev. Gulick’s sermon, in Hawaiian, the Kamehameha girls sang the Pauahi and Kamehameha songs dedicated to Mrs. Charles R. Bishop, the audience sang Hawaii Ponoi and Rev. Henry Parker gave the benediction.

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Hawaiian Societies in Attendance

The Hawaiian societies which took part in the centenary celebration were The Daughters of Hawaii, Kamehameha Lodge, Aha Hui Kaahumanu, the Daughters of the Warriors, the Chiefs of Hawaii, Aha Hui Oiwi Ona Wahine, Aha Na Pua O Hawaii and Aha Hui Poola O Na Wahine.

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Last Two Royal House Members Officiate

Queen Liliuokalani and High Chiefess Elizabeth Kekaaniau Laanui Pratt are the only two members of the royal house who were

 eligible to the throne and attended the historic Royal School or Chiefs Children's School which was established by

Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha the Third.