The empty throne : a biography of Hawaii's Prince Cupid
Lori Kuulei Kamae (Author)
"Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole (whose Family and close friends called him "Cupid") grew up in the Hawaiian Kingdom during its final years of existence. He was the nephew of Queen Kapiolani, consort to King David Kalakaua whose niece, Princess Kaiulani was the only surviving child of her generation of the Kalakaua Dynasty. Prince Jonah and his brothers Prince David Kawananakoa and Prince Edward Kealiiahonui were drawn into the line of succession by King Kalakaua. Should the nation have successfully fore-stalled a loss of sovereignty to the United States of America, Prince Jonah Kuhio might have been king of Hawaii nei after the death of Princess Kaiulani in 1899. The success of a small band of white revolutionaries in engaging help from the United States in overthrowing the native government in 1893, left disheartened and bitter Prince Kuhio to join native Hawaiian insurgents, who revolted in 1895 in an attempt to restore the monarchy. Their efforts came to nought. Most of the participants were rounded up and jailed including Queen Liliuokalani. The dethroned Queen, who had not overtly participated in revolutionary acts, and Prince Kuhio were tried and given jail sentences. The Queen was for eight months a prisoner in one of the small bedrooms of the palace. Prince Kuhio served months of his sentence in Iwilei Jail. He was released in 1896 and almost immediately set sail on a cruise around the world with his wife Elizabeth Kahanu. In 1900, Prince Kuhio with a few of his close friends helped organize the Republican Party. At the same time, Prince David Kawananakoa organized the Democrat Party of Hawaii. Prince Kuhio was elected delegate to congress in 1904. He became an able statesman and pursued a tireless course of urging passage of legislation to help Hawaii to develop into a modern industrial community. Before his death in 1922, Prince Kuhio successfully brought the Hawaiian Homes Lands Act into existence. In this impressive legislative vehicle, Prince Kuhio had been successful in providing the means that might begin the process of correcting the tragic material and cultural losses Hawaiians have suffered since the arrival of Captain Cook. -- Book jacket
Print Book, English, 1980
Topgallant Pub. Co., Honolulu, 1980