About Prince Jonah Kuhio

IN IN HONOR OF Prince Jonah Kühio Kalaniana'ole Pi'ikoi Each year on March 26, Hawai'i celebrates Prince Kūhiō Day to honor the man who, in many ways, has greatly shaped modern Hawai'i. Prince Kūhiō, was born on Kaua'i's south shore near Po'ipu Beach on March 26, 1872. There are only two U.S. holidays in honor of royalty... Kūhiō Day and Kamehameha Day KA 'OHANA Parents Siblings Adopted Parents David La'amea Kahalepouli David Kahalepouli Pi'ikoi Kinoiki Kawānanakoa Pi'ikoi King David Kalākaua Victoria Kūhio Edward Abnel Kinoiki Kekaulike II Keli'iahonui Pi'ikoi Queen Kapi'olani Prince Cupid In the 1870s, a French school teacher at St. Alban's College, now 'Iolani School, commented on how young Jonah Kūhió Kalaniana'ole's eyes twinkled merrily and how he kept a perpetual smile. "He is so cute, just like the pictures of the little cupid," teacher Pierre Jones said. The nickname, "Prince Cupid," stuck with Prince Kūhiö for the rest of his life. Prince of the Kalākaua Dynasty Kūhiö was an ali'i by right of descent from his great-grandfather Kaua'i's King Kaumuali'i. Adopted by Kalākaua after the death of parents, both David and he were raised by Kalākaua and groomed for the future ruling roles. Early Life Kühiö attended the Royal School and Punahou School. As a young ali'i, Kūhiõ participated in many of the royal events, as Kalākaua was grooming them for their future. After completing his basic education he also traveled abroad for further study. He studied for four years at Saint Matthew's School, a private Episcopal military school in San Mateo, California, and at the Royal Agricultural College in England before graduating from a business school in England. At the conclusion of his college days he spent a year as the guest of the Japanese Government. Post Overthrow Two years later, Kühiö was arrested for treason for plotting a counter-revolutionary attempt. He spent the next two years in jail as a political prisoner. Kūhiö's chances for ascending to the throne were dashed with the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893. Marriage to Elizabeth Kūhiö met Elizabeth Kahanu Kaleiwohi- Ka'auwai Kalaniana'ole Woods in 1895 after his participation in the failed Wilcox Rebellion. Kahanu brought him food, and sang songs to break his isolation. Just after he was released she married Prince Kūhio on October 8, 1896. Their wedding was held in the Saint Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu, Oahu. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Below are just some of the many accomplishments of Prince Kūhiō. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but to highlight some of the things that he accomplished that has greatly shaped Hawai'i today. On March 4, 1903, became the elected Republican delegate to the U.S. Congress, making him the first Native Hawaiian and ONLY person ever elected to that body who was born a royal. In 1918, he reorganized the Royal Order of Kamehameha and was the founder of the first Hawaiian Civic Club. In 1919, Kūhiö sponsored a bill calling for Hawaiian statehood, forty years before it became a reality. Prince Jonah Kūhiö Kalaniana'ole spearheaded the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. In response to the dwindling native Hawaiian population, Prince Kühiö convinced Congress to create a rehabilitation program for Hawaiians. In 1921, with the emactment of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, the United States set aside approximately 200,000 acres land to establish a permanent homeland for Hawaiians, who were a landless and "dying" people. Kūhiö help to institute local government at the county level, creating the county system still used today in Hawai'i. Father of Modern Hawai'i Canoe Racing - Kühió was also instrumental in launching international Hawaiian canoe racing, commissioning the construction of the first racing-purpose built outrigger canoe in 1906 by Kahuna Kalaiwa'a Moku'ohai (master canoe builder in Kona). Kūhio's canoe won championship races consecutively from 1907 through 1910. Many consider Kühiõ the father of Hawai'i Canoe Racing as an internationally- recognized sport. SOURCES: 1. http://princekuhio.net/About_Prince_Kuhio.html2 2. http://archives.starbulletin.com/1999/09/20/news/story4.html 3. http://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10524/103 4. http://bitly.com/DHHL-Kuhio 5. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/150/sesq2kalanianaole 6. http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/prince-kuhio/ For more infographics, please visit HAWAIIANROLL.ORG/Facts Native Hawaiian Roll Commission KANAIOLOWALU