Princess Ka'iulani, "the Peacock Princess"

Princess Ka'iulani, "the Peacock Princess" & the film of her life 

 

For those of you who dont know, the film was based on a true story. Its an amazing movie. And really opened my eyes on how the Hawaii people where treated and why some still have animosity toward Americans to this day. Especially the military. BUT, on the other hand, the Hawaii must also understand that we are not here to treat them bad. The majority of us are here on orders. Treating us bad is not going to gain your rights back in being an independent country again. Treating us bad is not going to change the course of history and what happened all those many years ago. Before any of us today were even born. The sooner these Hawaiians learn this, the better off they and everyone around them will be. 

I will step down off my soap box now. 

Please read below the brief history of this story and I highly recommend watching her movie. :)

Victoria Kaʻiulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawēkiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn (1875–1899) was heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and held the title of crown princess. Kaʻiulani became known throughout the world for her intelligence, beauty and determination. Her royal status, talent and double-ancestry (Hawaiian-Scottish) kept her frequently in the press of the day, and newspaper accounts of her comings and goings throughout her life are extensive, often parallel or interconnected with those of Queen Liliʻuokalani. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, Ka'iulani overcame her personal reluctance to become visibly involved with politics (or be seen as usurping her Aunt's (Queen Liliʻuokalani's) primary role as leader of the Kanaka ʻOiwi people) by traveling from England to America to lend support to her Aunt efforts to call America to account for its overthrow of the Hawaiian nation. She never wanted her people to be able to say that she, as next in line to the throne, made no effort on their behalf. The most notable (and well-known) instance of this took the form of an unofficial visit with the then U.S. President Grover Clevelandʻi's independence. Her role as representative of her people's rights and wishes was understood. Despite this and the Crown Princess' strong personal statement to the press (published widely in American newspapers) about the wrong done her country, and the subtle influence of her presence at various public and private gatherings (as a guest generally, not a speaker: the Princess never was given an opportunity to speak before Congress, as some commentators have claimed), ultimately Ka'iulani, her Aunt, and the Hawaiian political societies could not undo the injustice of the overthrow. The Princess returned to Hawaiʻi in 1897 to share her people's sorrows firsthand, and continue her role as a beloved Aliʻi until her death in 1899. and his wife. While there was no direct political discussion (and no meal shared, as depicted in a recent film) during this short White House meeting, without doubt the Princess' grace and dignity impressed the Clevelands greatly, increasing the President's already existing sympathy for the Kingdom of Hawai