Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Kalanianaole, Prince Jonah Kuhio March 26, 1871 - January 7, 1922 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/hi/hifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: J. Orr orr@hawaii.com September 9, 2009, 5:09 pm Source: The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders. Published by Honolulu Star Bulletin, Ltd., Territory of Hawaii, 1925 Author: Edited by George F. Nellist PRINCE KALANIANAOLE, Hawaiian Statesman. Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, an outstanding figure of both the Hawaiian monarchy and the Territory of Hawaii, was a political power for more than 20 years, devoting his life to the welfare of the Hawaiian people and the development of the Territory. His chief contribution to constructive legislation was his work toward the enactment by Congress, in 1921, of the measure creating the Hawaiian Homes Commission, of which Prince Kuhio was one of the first members. This act, designed to effect the rehabilitation of the Hawaiian race, is functioning successfully. Prince Kuhio’s political career in the Territory dates back to 1902, when he was elected delegate to Congress on the Republican ticket, succeeding the late Robert Wilcox of the old Home Rule Party. During the years that followed Prince Kuhio, or Prince “Cupid,” as he was popularly known, held an immense following, and was continued in office until he died. The history of the late delegate personified to a great extent the history of the Hawaiian race in its transition from one governmental era to another. In 1896, Prince Kuhio, then an ardent royalist, was tried before a military commission of the Republic of Hawaii during President Dole’s administration, on a charge of misprision of treason. He was sentenced to serve a year in jail. However, there was no one more loyal to the United States government that was Prince Kuhio after the annexation of the Islands by the United States, nor did any one discharge his public duties more faithfully. Following his election to Congress, Prince Kuhio became a member of house committees on agriculture, coinage, weights and measures, military affairs and territories. He was responsible for the visit of a special navy board to Honolulu which resulted in appropriations by Congress of $27,000,000 for navy yard improvements. Prince Kuhio was born at Koloa, Kauai, March 26, 1871. He was a direct descendant of Hawaiian royalty, his father having been High Chief David Kahalepouli Piikoi, and his mother the Princess Kinoiki Kekaulike. He was a cousin of the late King David Kalakaua, last male ruler of Hawaii, and of the late Queen Liliuokalani. He was a nephew of the late Queen Kapiolani, consort of King Kalakaua. He was created a prince of Hawaii by King Kalakaua in 1884. Prince Kuhio studied under the late Alatau Atkinson in Honolulu, going from the Royal School to Punahou College and later attending St. Matthew’s College at San Mateo, Calif. He then went to England, studying at the Royal Agricultural College and taking business courses. Ill health resulted in his return to Hawaii. When he returned he occupied semi-official positions in Honolulu, being employed in the office of the minister of the interior and in the customs service during the monarchy. He married Elizabeth Kahanu Kaauwai, daughter of a chief of Kauai, Oct. 8, 1896. In 1899 the couple left on a tour of Europe, going later to South Africa, where the prince engaged in big game hunting and planned to invest in diamond mines. It was reported at the time that he intended to make his permanent home elsewhere than in Hawaii, but he returned in 1901 and was launched upon his political career the following year. Prince Kuhio died in Honolulu, January 7, 1922. After lying in state for a week his body was placed in the Royal Mausoleum at Nuuanu Cemetery. His funeral services were marked by all the ancient rites and honors given to royalty. His widow, now Mrs. James Frank Woods, resides in Honolulu. Prince Kuhio was a member of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Hawaiian Civic Club, Chiefs of Hawaii, Order of Kamehameha, Court Lunalilo, Commercial Club, Oahu Country Club, and Hawaii Polo and Racing Association. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/hi/statewide/bios/kalanian39bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/hifiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb