Kalākaua
Last king and penultimate monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.
Kalākaua, born David Laʻamea Kamanakapuʻu Māhinulani Nālaʻiaʻehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua on November 16, 1836, was the last king and penultimate monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, reigning from February 12, 1874, until his death in 1891. He was elected to the throne after Lunalilo, defeating Queen Emma. Known as the Merrie Monarch for his convivial personality, he enjoyed entertaining guests with singing and ukulele playing. At his coronation and birthday jubilee, the previously banned public hula was revived as a celebration of Hawaiian culture. His reign saw the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 bring great prosperity, though its renewal granted the United States exclusive use of Pearl Harbor. In 1881, he traveled the world to encourage immigration of contract sugar plantation workers and to broaden Hawaiians’ education. He funded a program sending qualified students abroad. His expensive projects, including the statue of Kamehameha I and the rebuilding of ʻIolani Palace, remain popular tourist attractions. Extravagant spending and his plans for a Polynesian confederation aided annexationists, and in 1887 he was forced to sign a constitution reducing the monarchy to a figurehead. After his brother William Pitt Leleiohoku II died in 1877, he named his sister Liliʻuokalani heir-apparent; she later became the last monarch. Born to Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaʻakea and Analea Keohokālole, he was of the aliʻi class, descended from Keawe-a-Heulu and Kameʻeiamoku, two of Kamehameha I’s royal counselors. His name means "The Day of Battle," and he was born on the day an unequal treaty with a British captain was signed. He and his siblings were hānai to other family members; he was taken by High Chiefess Haʻaheo Kaniu, who bequeathed him her properties upon her death in 1843. He then lived with his hānai father in Lāhainā. At age four, he entered the Chiefs' Children's School, where he was proclaimed eligible for the throne alongside future kings. He learned English and Hawaiian, noted more for humor than academics. After the school closed, he briefly studied at other schools but illness ended his formal education.
- field
- Monarchy
- nationality
- Kingdom of Hawaiʻi
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Kalākaua was born at 2 a.m. Of the aliʻi class, his family was considered collateral relations of the House of Kamehameha. At age four, Kalākaua returned to Oʻahu to attend the Chiefs' Children's School (later Royal School), where he was formally proclaimed eligible for the throne. He studied under American missionaries Amos Starr Cooke and Juliette Montague Cooke, becoming fluent in English and Hawaiian. His military and government career included service as aide-de-camp to Prince Liholiho, brevet captain, major, colonel, Chief Clerk of the Department of the Interior, Postmaster General, King's Chamberlain, and clerk in the Land Office.
Reader's Guide
Kalākaua, known as the Merrie Monarch for his convivial personality, often entertained guests with his singing and ukulele playing. His reign saw a major cultural revival: at his coronation and birthday jubilee, the hula—previously banned in public—was celebrated as a key part of Hawaiian culture. Politically, the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 brought great economic prosperity to the kingdom, though its renewal granted the United States exclusive use of Pearl Harbor. In 1881, Kalākaua traveled around the world to encourage contract sugar plantation workers to immigrate, and he instituted a government-financed program to send qualified Hawaiian students abroad for education. His expensive projects, including the statue of Kamehameha I and the rebuilding of ʻIolani Palace, are now popular tourist attractions. However, his lavish spending and ambition to form a Polynesian confederation strengthened annexationist efforts. In 1887, he was forced to sign a constitution that reduced the monarchy to a figurehead role. After his brother’s death in 1877, he named his sister Liliʻuokalani as heir-apparent; she acted as regent during his absences and, after his death, became the last monarch of Hawaiʻi.
Did You Know?
- Kalākaua was known as the Merrie Monarch for his convivial personality and enjoyed entertaining guests with his singing and ukulele playing.
- He was born on the same day an unequal treaty imposed by British Captain Lord Edward Russell was signed.
- His grandfather Kamanawa II was executed for murder, and Kalākaua may have witnessed the public hanging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the title 'Merrie Monarch' refer to?
The nickname reflects Kalākaua's well-known love of music, celebration, and social gatherings, which set him apart from the more austere image of earlier Hawaiian rulers. The legacy endures today in the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, a major hula competition held in his honor on the island of Hawaiʻi.
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