In the twilight years of the Hawaiian monarchy, Princess Ka‘iulani emerged as a symbol of grace, resilience, and unfulfilled promise. Raised at ‘Āinahau, her beloved estate in Waikīkī, she found solace in its lush gardens and freshwater streams, nurtured by the natural splendor of the area. Known for her beauty and poise, which captivated both her people and foreign dignitaries, it was her intelligence and dedication to the kingdom that contributed to her legacy as “The People’s Princess.” Even on the 150th anniversary of her birth, she remains one of the most beloved figures in Hawaiian history, the princess who stood for her people when their world was changing forever. 

Ka‘iulani was born on October 16, 1875, during the reign of her maternal uncle, King David Kalākaua, and was fourth in line for the throne at that time.  She was the only child of Princess Miriam Likelike, a member of the House of Kalākaua renowned for her vivacious and captivating personality, and Archibald Scott Cleghorn, a Scottish businessman who amassed his wealth through a series of successful mercantile ventures. She also had three older half-sisters, born to her father during his first marriage, and all accounts point to a happy household. 

At the time of her christening, she was given the name Victoria Kawēkiu Ka‘iulani Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn. She was named to pay tribute to her maternal aunt, Ka‘iulani, meaning “the royal sacred one.” Additionally, she received names like Victoria, to honor Queen Victoria, who reinstated the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom under Kamehameha III, and Kawēkiu, which means “the highest rank.” Charles Kana‘ina recommended that she be named after his son and uncle, Lunalilo, to strengthen her connection to the throne. King Lunalilo, whose name translates to “so high up to be lost in sight,” was a relative of Ka‘iulani. The event was held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral in Honolulu and attended by Hawaiian ali‘i (chiefly class), foreign dignitaries, and her godparents—King David Kalākaua, his wife, Queen Kapi‘olani, and Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani. Wrapped in a cashmere robe embroidered with silk, reports of the time state that the infant, just weeks old, did not utter a sound during the service, which marked her as a future leader of the kingdom. 

Cherished by her family, Ka‘iulani received a parcel of land in Waikīkī from her godmother, Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani. As a descendant of the Kamehameha dynasty, Princess Ruth was one of the most powerful and high-ranking ali‘i of the time, making her gift of land more than a physical inheritance but also a gesture of trust and continuity of responsibility between generations. The nearly four-acre parcel was located next to a piece of land purchased by Ka‘iulani’s father a few years earlier. The area was named ‘Āinahau by Princess Likelike, which translates to “a cool place” in honor of the winds that blow down from Mānoa to Waikīkī. At age three, Ka‘iulani and her family moved into a bungalow on their Waikīkī property and began developing the land to their liking. Her father imported plants such as date palms, mango trees, and teak trees, transforming the property into a lush, expansive garden filled with both native and exotic species from around the world. To honor his young daughter, he planted the island’s first banyan tree, known as “Ka‘iulani’s banyan.”  Alongside a variety of plants, Cleghorn cultivated kiele (gardenias), his wife’s favorite flowers, as well as pīkake (jasmine), which Ka‘iulani favored. 

During her childhood, Ka‘iulani fell in love with the outdoor aspects of the estate, from the flowing streams to the expansive gardens. Over time, her father had a stable constructed that housed several horses, including Ka‘iulani’s prized pony named Fairy. While the young princess loved animals, she was especially fond of the peacocks that roamed the grounds, to the extent that she became affectionately known as “the peacock princess” and even named her favorite flower, jasmine, after the Hawaiian name for peacocks (pīkake). 

A short distance from her home was the serene Waikīkī coastal area. Now bustling with hotels, Waikīkī during the time of Ka‘iulani was a place of leisure for the ali‘i who valued the area as a retreat to rest, rejuvenate, and appreciate the healing aspects the area gave off. Ka‘iulani spent countless hours near the beach riding her horses along the sand, swimming in the warm wate,r or surfing the waves of Waikīkī. Accounts of the time note that the princess was an outstanding surfer who rode waves on a seven-foot, four-inch koa alaia (a traditional wooden surfboard with a round nose and square tail). 

Everything changed for Ka‘iulani in 1887 when her mother suddenly passed away, some say due to mysterious circumstances, and the young princess was sent abroad to build upon the education she had been given through a series of governesses and private tutors. As the second in line for the throne, she received a classic education at Great Harrowden Hall, a boarding school for young girls located in England, under the guardianship of Theo H. Davies, a British businessman and sugar investor in Hawai‘i. At school, Ka‘iulani made progress in her studies, but following the death of King Kalākaua, Davies recommended that the young princess return to private studies to complete her education, as she was now the heir apparent. 

Months shy of her 18th birthday, Princess Ka‘iulani received shocking news through a telegram sent to Davies. The message read “Queen Deposed. Monarchy Abrogated. Break News to Princess.” With that, her world was shattered—her aunt, Queen Lili‘uokalani, had been deposed, and her kingdom had suffered a coup d’état led by seven foreign residents and six subjects of the Hawaiian Kingdom of American descent. Despite her shock, she responded with determination and traveled to the United States to appeal to the American people’s hearts. She met with President Grover Cleveland and key officials to advocate for the restoration of the Hawaiian monarchy, and despite being met with racism from journalists who dubbed her the “barbarian princess,” she won the press over with her charm and eloquence. 

Despite her efforts, there was no restoration of the monarchy. In 1897, Princess Ka‘iulani sailed to O‘ahu and was met by thousands of people waiting to greet her with lei and warm words. The princess headed directly for ‘Āinahau, which now boasted a two-story building filled with two grand pianos, brocade chairs, and gold and glass cabinets. She lived in the islands for the next few years as a private citizen, but fell ill with a fever in December 1898 and died on March 6, 1899, from inflammatory rheumatism at the age of 23.  On the night of her passing, neighbors noted hearing the cries of peacocks coming from the estate. The following day, the body of the princess was taken to Kawaiaha‘o Church, where it would lie in state until her funeral and ultimate entombment at Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum. 

‘Āinahau, the beloved estate of Princess Ka‘iulani and her family, was willed to the Territory of Hawai‘i following her father’s death in 1910  in hopes that the area could be converted into a park to honor his daughter. After the territory passed on the gift, the land was subdivided and sold, with the mansion serving as a hotel for a few years until it burned down in 1921. Over time, the area of ‘Āinahau has passed through different owners. Today, the Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani Hotel sits upon the land where reminders of the princess’s heritage can be found throughout the artwork, historical displays, and even the landscaping, which echoes the lush surroundings she once knew and loved. 

Princess Ka‘iulani, often remembered as Hawai‘i's “Island Rose,” had a profound connection to Waikīkī, which deepened her appreciation for nature and her Hawaiian heritage. A notable feature of ‘Āinahau was the banyan tree planted by her father. A cutting from the tree was planted at the Princess Victoria Ka‘iulani Elementary School in Honolulu before the original tree was cut down in 1949. The cutting flourishes to this day, serving as a living tribute to her enduring legacy, her unwavering dedication to her people, and the resilience of Hawai‘i’s royal lineage.