Kuhio Day In Hawai’i
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole was born on March 26th 1871, in Koloa, Kauai, the youngest son of Kauai High Chief David Kahalepouli and Princess Kinoki Kekaulike. He is known as the “The Citizen Prince”, a well educated sportsman and statesman. When the Kalakaua Dynasty assumed the throne of Hawaii in 1884, Jonah Kuhio was declared a prince. He was next in line to become king when the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893. In the late 1800’s he was sentenced to a year in prison for his role in a Hawaiian uprising against Sanford Dole’s newly formed Republic of Hawaii. After his release from prison, he joined the British Army to fight in the South African Boer War, and he remained in Africa until that war ended in 1902. When he returned to Hawaii he was elected to served in the United States Congress as the Territorial Delegate from Hawaii.
He was the second cousin of King David Kalakaua and of his sister, Queen Lili`uokalani. He was also the nephew of Queen Kapi`olani. Kuhio became the adopted son of his aunt, Queen Kapi`olani and King Kalakaua. Lili`uokalani named him an heir to the throne and bestowed the title of Prince.
Kuhio attended school at San Mateo, Calif., and at the Royal Agricultural College in England. He returned to Hawaii shortly before the overthrow of the monarchy. At the age of 24, Kuhio helped in the Royalist uprising against Hawaii’s new Republic during the first week of January 1895. He was captured and convicted of treason, and sentenced to one year in jail. In 1902, he was persuaded by the business interests in Hawaii to run for office as the Republican candidate for delegate from the Territory of Hawaii to the U.S. Congress. He was elected as delegate 10 times before his death on Jan. 7, 1922. Kuhio persuaded many former chiefs and Hawaiian leaders to run for office as Republican candidates. He pushed for development in Hawaii, including Honolulu and Pearl Harbors. The achievements for which he is credited include the dredging of Pearl Harbor and establishing the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Prince Kuhio died in Waikiki on January 7, 1922. He is buried on the island of Oahu at the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu.
The state set March 26 as Prince Kuhio Day. There are also a number of state and city parcels that carry his name:
• Kuhio Avenue
• Kalanianaole Highway
• Prince Jonah Kuhio Federal building
• Also several schools and private businesses
