King Lunalilo's History

Prince Lunalilo was born on January 31st 1835 to High Chiefess Miriam 'Auhea Kakauluohi (Kuhina Nui, or Premier of the Hawaiian Kingdom and niece of Kamehameha I) and High Chief Charles Kanaiana. Lunalilo's grand parents were Kala'imamahu (half brother of Kamehameha I) and Kalakua (sister to Ka'ahumanu). His great grandfather was Keouakupupailaninui (father of Kamehameha I).

Lunalilo was educated at the Chief's Chidlren's School, and at age four, became one of its first students. He was known as very scholarly, a poet, and a student with amazing memory for detail. From a very young age, he loved to write with favorite subjects in school being literature and music. He composed Hawai'i's first national anthem, E Ola Ke Ali'i Akua, or God Save the King.

He also developed a sense of justice and love for people. These traits were recognized by the age of six in the unselfish and caring manner in which he interacted with his servants. As a young man, he was courteous and intelligent, generous and friendly. His close friends affectionately called him “Prince Bill”. His native people called him ”Lokomaika'i”, meaning “generous or benevolent”.

In the Constitutional Convention of 1864, Lunalilo strongly supported the cause of the people against unnecessary interference by any ruler and to provide a more democratic government with two houses of the legislature, a House of Nobles and a House of Representatives. He wanted a constitution that favored the people and gave less power to the king.

Kamehameha V had not named a successor to the throne before he died on December 11th 1872. Lunalilo wanted his people to choose their next ruler in a democratic manner and requested a plebiscite to be held on New Year's Day after the death of Kamehameha V. Prince David Kalakaua, not a Kamehameha, chose to run against Prince Lunalilo.

The people on every island unanimously chose William Charles Lunalilo. At noon, January 8th 1873, the Legislature met in the Courthouses to cast their ballots to select, as required by law, the next ruler if a successor had not been named. Lunalilo received all thirty-seven votes. The coronation of Lunalilo took place at Kawaiaha'o Church in a simple ceremony on January 9th 1873. He was to reign for one year and twenty-five days, succumbing to pulmonary tuberculosis on February 3rd 1874.

As a proponent of democracy and more freedom of choice for his people, he did not name a successor before his death because he believed that the people should, again, choose their leader. His trait of “Lokomaika'i” followed him in death because of his desire to do what was best for the people.

Upon his passing, The Royal Mausoleum was the temporary resting place for Lunalilo, although by birthright his remains could have been placed with other ali'i. His desire was to be among the common people and in 1875, his remains were moved to their permanent resting place in a tomb build for him on the ground of Kawaiaha'o Church.