Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Kamehameha V --- (Part 5)

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Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands
" Keepers of the Culture "
A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands
As told by the ancients--
Kamehameha V -- Part 5
Death of the King
Hawaii's first Election
by Darlene E. Kelley
December 28, 2000

http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374

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As told by the ancients--
Kamehameha V -- Part 5

Another building undertaking was the construction of Ali'iolani Hale [ "
House of the Chief Unto Heaven. " ] This project was supposed to be a
new palace, but it met with numerous delays and financal problems. So
its initial purpose was dropped and it became a government office
building when it was completed in 1874.

Buildings of lesser scope included 'Iolani Barracks [ to house the Royal
Household Guards ], a new prison, the Royal Mausoleum,
new school houses and warehouses. an insame asylum, a quarentine
building [ to process the flood of immigrants brought to Hawaii by the
sugar planters ], and other government structures. These heavy
expenditures put a severe strain on the finacial resources of the tiny
Kingdom. Since all these projects could not be financed from general
revenues, the government resorted to borrowing with great difficulty and
at high interest rates. [ 12% on most loans and up to 18% on others. ]
As a result of this excessive borrowing, Hawaii's national debt stood at
over $350,000 on March 31, 1874.  

Since Kamehameha V preferred to remain a bachelor, many of his ministers
worried about a successor. In 1864, Lot proclaimed his sister, Princess
Victoria Kamamalu as heir presumptive. But she died on May 26, 1866,
again raising the question of succession. The King's ministers
frequently proposed marriage to various eligible female ali'is,
including Queen Emma [ the King's sister-in-law ], fearing that the
uncertainty of succession played into the hands of those factions who
favored annexation to the United States. While the King was in love with
his deceased brother's wife, there seemed too many obstacles in the way,
including religious objections and Emma's devotion to the memory of her
deceased husband.

Throughout the remainder of his reign, Lot remained stubborn and refused
to name a successor. In his later years, he became even more obese, and
his heavy frame made it difficult for him to move about. In time, he
could no longer ride a horse, and thereafter, he spent most of his time
indoors. Abandoning physical activity, Lot soon took to his bed. He
steadily grew weaker, and on Deceber 11, 1872, a final effort was put
forth to have the King appoint a successor. Reluctantly, he named High
Chieftess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. But she refused, suggesting instead the
King's half sister. Ruth Ke'elikolani, and then Queen Emma. However the
King passed on these suggestions, and before the matter could be
discussed again, Lot Kamehameha died while preparations were under way
for his birthday celebration. Thus the Kamehameha dynasty came to an
abrupt end.

The death of Kamehameha V threw the Hawaiian nation into a monarchial
crisis. Since the dead King had refused to name a successor, this
decision passed to the legislature under the provisions of the
Constitution of 1864. The King's cabinet promptly scheduled a meeting of
the legislature for January 8, 1873. Four ali'i soon stood out a
possible canadates for the throne. They were William Charles Lunalilo,
Ruth Ke'elikolani, David Kalakaua, and Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

William Lunalilo, a cousin of the deceased King, had the best natural
claim to the throne since he was the grandson of a half brother of
Kamehameha the Great. But because of Lunalilo's political navivete,
frivolity, and excessive drinking habits, Lot Kamehameha had considered
him a " fool " and refused to name him as a successor. Perhaps too, Lot
was jealous of Lunalilo's immense popularity with the people. Ruth
Ke'elikolani, a half sister of the deceased King, was the favorite
canadate among the chief's because of her strict adherence to the " old
" Hawaiian ways.
Being six feet tall and weighing over four hundred pounds, Ruth ruled as
governess of the Island of Hawaii. But her genealogy was much too
controversial, and few people considered her a suitable candidate for
the position of ruling monarch.

David Kalakaua's blood line came from the fierce and independant chiefs
of Kona who had supported Kamehameha the Great in his successful quest
of uniting all the islands under one ruler. Well educated, fluent in
English, and possessing polished manners, Kalakaua mingled freely in the
general society. His long years in the Hawaiian legislature had
sharpened his poltical skills, making him a good contender for the
throne. Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a great grand-daughter of Kamehameha th
Great, remained in the running because of the late King had specifically
designated her prior to his death. But she remained steadfast in her
refusal to accept the throne.

The Throne was waiting. The black kahilis were still waving at the
palace, and the mourning and the wailing continued night and day, for
the funeral of Kamehameha V, delayed by a severe and unusual lightening
and thunder storm. had not yet been held. It was an unprecedented
situation. Since the beginning of the Kamehameha dynasty, a direct
descendant of Kamehameha l had succeeded to the throne, but since Lot
had not named a successor, the constitution of the country clearly
stated that the duty of selecting and appointing some high chief as the
ruler of the Kingdom belonged to the Legislature.

Prince William Lunalilo was the son of the noble chieftess, Kekauluohi,
who had ben Premier of the Kingdom under Kamehameha lll, following
Kinau. Lunalilo held the highest rank of any chief in the Islands;
although he was not proved a direct descendant of Kamehameha l, he had ,
through his mother, inherited Kamehameha blood. Because of his high
rank, the throne was offered to him by those so authorized under the
constitution, but he refused to accept it, saying that he felt the
people should be allowed to choose their King. This was a departure from
custom and an amazing attitude, even to foreign members of the
Legislature. However, Lunalilo won their cooperation and prepared his
program.

Six days after the death of Kamehameha V, Lunalilo sent broadcast over
the Islands a printed manifesto declaring his right to the throne, but
giving the people the opportunity to express their choice as to whom
among the high priests they would prefer as King. A date was set for the
people to meet at the polling places on the different islands and cast
their votes. In the meantime, the Legislature had called an
Extraordinary Session for the eighth of January, 1873, when the matter
of the succession would be permanetly be settled.

Feelings ran high as everyone discussed the situation. The names of the
high chiefs were on everybody's tongue--- Prince Lunalilo. Dowager Queen
Emma, Benice Pauahi Bishop and David Kalakaua. All by rank, were
eligible for election. 

Prince Lunalilo. personally was popular with all classes of people. His
simple sincerity and friendliness had won him many friends. The
declaration in hs manifesto that, if elected to the throne, he would
restore the constitution of Kamehameha lll," of happy memory,"  making
only such charges as would adapt it to present laws and thus giving to
the people the rights and priveges which had been theirs in the past,
was received with enthusiasm.  The majority of the Hawaiians were loyal
to him, and called him
" The People's Prince."

Mrs. Bishop was a Kamehameha, and Queen Emma also had Kamehameha blood.
Both were greatly beloved, and, as women of the highest rank, fine
intelligence, and wide interests, they stood in line for support, but
neither placed her claims to the throne. Colonel David Kalakaua was a
high chief, but noe of the Kamehameha line. He was descended from a line
of Polynesian chiefs of the Island of Hawaii. He was born in Honolulu,
and had held different
governmental positions [ his title having come from his commission in
the Hawaiian army ] and was considered by many to be an able
administrator. He too, was popular in the community.

Colonel Kalakaua and his party secretly prepared a paper attempting to
show Lunalilo was not a true Kamehameha. This document was headed " This
is the Truth " and was signed " By the Skillfull Genealogists."
Historians agree that they cannot rely on the genealogical records of
the Hawaiians, but, whatever the truth may have been, this paper aroused
wide spread opposition to Colonel Kalakaua and rebounded to the favor of
Lunalilo. Many people considered it an attack on the Prince, and many
who before this that had not taken sides one way or the other came over
to his camp. Every steamer and sailing vessel brought people from the
outside islands to Honolulu, all interested in the coming election. Mass
meetings were called in Kaumakapili Church. This church was used for
large assemblies and had, it is said, cqired the character of Franeuil
Hall in Revolutionary days. When the church bell, which hung in a low,
wooden belfry by the churchyard gate, was rung, the people dropped
whatever they were doing and hurried to the church to see what was
happening. Politics ran at a high pitch in Honolulu.

The first meeting preceeding the election, which was called for the
purpose of offering resolutions of sympathy to the surviving sister of
the late King, ended in a public expression of allegiance to Lunalilo,
which came about in the following way;

From the platform was told the story of his baptism. When the Rev. Mr.
Bingham, was about to perform the ceremony, asked, " What shall we call
this child ? " Kanaina,the father, replied, " William Charles Kanaina."
" No," objected the baby's mother, kekauluohi, " he is the highest chief
in all the Islands; therefore, his name shall be Lunalilo, ' out of
sight, above.'" Hearing the story, the people stood waving their hats
and handkerchiefs, shouting their acclaim for Lunalilo.

Kalakaua. learning what had taken place at the church and thinking to
influence the older Hawaiians in his favor, at once sent out an appeal
to the people. This document was posted everywhere, written in the
oldtime phraseology;

" O my people! My countrymen of old! Arise! This is the voice ! Ho! all
ye Tribes! Ho! my own ancient people! The people who took hold and built
up the Kingdom of Kamehameha. Arise! This is the voice!
Let me direct you, my people! Do nothing contrary to the law or against
the peace of the Kingdom. Do not go and vote.
Do not be led by foreigners; they had no part inour hardships in gaining
the country. Do not be led by their false teachings." 
Then followed by a long detailed attack upon Lunalilo and his adherents,
ending with the exhortation; 
" Arise, O People!
To the front!
Drink the water of bitterness.

signed, David Kalakaua."

Press reports of the day tell that Kalakaua's elaborate message
accomplished nothing and was received with derision. Lunalilo's party
continued their advertising. Posters appeared everywhere, printed in
English and Hawaiian, urging everyone to cast his vote for the King. No
property ownership was necessary; only citizenship.

The election was set for New Year's day. For the first time in their
lives many people were to cast a vote, and never before had anyone voted
for a King. The household troops went quietly in a body to the polls and
deposited their ballots. Following them came a large company of Mormons
from the other side of Oahu. They had made the long trip to Honolulu,
most of them walking all the way. Great numbers of people from outside
districts crowed into the city, all eager to vote. Three thousand votes
were cast in nine hours-- two thousand seven hundred by Hawaiians and
the remainder by naturalized citizens. The excitement was almost beyond
bounds. Crowds remained at the polls hoping the final count would assure
the election of the Prince.

Lunalilo, fearing a demonstation, sent word to the polling places that,
if the people would be quiet until after the election was officially
declared, they could call upon him at the Palace. This message was
received with great rejoicing, and the crowd dispersed, shouting and
singing. That Lunalilo had not taken the throne when the opportunity was
opened to him had completely won the hearts of the people

A week later, Colonel Kalakaua. depending largely upon the vote of the
Legislature, which he regarded as his stronghold, was entertaining at
breakfast the most influencial members of the community. The Prince was
grave and anxious. The final decision was yet to be made.
The legislature was to sit at noon. As the time drew near, crowds of
people moved towards the court house and surrounded the building. Many
were armed with stones and cudgels and some with revolvers. The
situation was alarming. 

The assembly convened at twelve o'clock, and, after some preliminaries,
proceeded with the election. Lunalilo left the hall and waited in
another room for the returns. Kalakaua had written to each member of the
legislature asking for his vote. And so these opponents, who had been
friends from boyhood, awaited the turn of the tide.

The counting of the votes began. It was a tense and thrilling hour. A
writer who was present wrote of the anxiety of the people. " The crowd
outside as well as the audience in the assembly were as silent as the
grave, and almost breathless from excitement. The first ballot was told
off ' Lunalilo for King! ' The next was the same, and the next. As each
one was repored, the result was signaled by those who thronged the open
windows to the people below. So the telling went on in the hushed
stillness of the great assembly until the number of votes reached a bare
majority and thus far all for Lunalilo, a cheer came up from the grounds
and, gathering strength, burst into a deafening roar which rose and fell
like the crisis of a storm; the outskirts of the crowd took up the
refrain, and the streets leading into the square sent out their
answering shouts. Never before had the capital been the scene of equal
enthusiasim. Lunalilo soon made his appearance on the balcony of the
courthouse. The crowd gave him an ovation. They had made him their King.