Prince Kūhiō – Restored the Royal Order of Kamehameha I
Born Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, on March 26, 1871, Jonah was a descendent of Kaumualiʻi an ancient ruling chief of Kauaʻi. Jonah was hanai’ed (cultural adoption) by Kapiʻolani, wife of David Kalakaua.

When David Kalakaua ascended the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1884, a proclamation that ended the Kamehameha Dynasty also declared Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole a royal prince. King David Kalakaua, Kūhiō’s uncle, then appointed Prince Kūhiō to a seat in the royal Cabinet administering the Department of the Interior. However, in 1893 Queen Liliuokalani (King Kalakaua’s sister and heir) and the Hawaiian kingdom was overthrown. A year later, Prince Kūhiō joined other native Hawaiians in a military attempt to restore the monarchy. The attempt was unsuccessful, and Prince Kūhiō was sentenced to a year in prison.

After getting out of prison, Prince Kūhiō left Hawaiʻi then returned after it was annexed as territory of the United States in 1898. Note: had the Hawaiian monarchy continued, Prince Kūhiō would have become King of Hawai‘i upon the death of Queen Liliuokalani. Never the less, Prince Kūhiō found opportunities to serve his people as Hawaiʻi’s elected congressional delegate for 10 consecutive terms. Prince Kūhiō was often called Ke Aliʻi Makaainana (Prince of People), and is well known for his efforts to protect, preserve, and perpetuate the Hawaiian people and culture.

While a delegate of Congress, Prince Kūhiō guided the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act that provides lands for native Hawaiians to homestead. Prince Kūhiō is also recognized for restoring the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and establishing the Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Prince Kūhiō served in congress from 1903 till his death in 1922 at the age of fifty.

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