Hauʻoli Lā Hānau Queen Liliʻuokalani!

by carolyn lucas-Zenk, kona historical society community engagement manager

Queen Liliʻuokalani was born on September 2, 1838. The last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, Queen Liliʻuokalani was an extraordinary leader who possessed a powerful sense of justice, compassion, humanity and forgiveness. Her brilliant mind left us many remarkable gifts, including her lands, writings and more than 160 songs, or mele. Demonstrating enormous grace, courage and strength under fire, she fought to keep her country's independence, traveling to plead her case to presidents and statesmen.

In celebration of the birth of this truly great leader, Kona Historical Society is sharing this special historic photograph from our collections inside the Jean Greenwell Library & Archive, a privately funded and operated research archive located at our Kalukalu Headquarters in Kealakekua.

This circa 1906 photograph shows Queen Liliʻuokalani with three young girls, who are identified as Eileen Kaoʻo Jarrett (right), Ailene Kihalani Maguire Stillman (left) and Lorna Jarrett Desha (behind). Ailene is J.A. Maguireʻs granddaughter and Lorna is her friend. A carriage and driver stand behind the group. A horse can also be seen in the background. This photo was likely taken at Huehue Ranch in North Kona. From the Collections of Kona Historical Society. Courtesy of The Maguire, Stillman, Springer Collection.

To learn more Hawaiian history and celebrate Queen Liliʻuokalani's 182nd birthday, The Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition is hosting five weeks of virtual events throughout the month of September, every Wednesday at 9 a.m., Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. This special series is part of the first-ever Hawaiian History Month. Founded in 2007, the Coalition educates those who live in and visit Hawai‘i about its true history and the Native Hawaiian people.