The Real Princess Kai'ulani

The 'real' Princess Kai'ulani of Hawai'i 

If you have a chance to go see the movie"Princess Kai'ulani" please do so.

It follows the life story of this very real princess of Hawai'i who, even 112 years after her very untimely death is remembered with love by the Hawaiian people.

The movie follows her life fairly close.  Its a shame that it didn't leave room for so much that was exciting about her life...it doesn't even touch on her friendship of several years with author Robert Louis Stevenson (who wrote about her in a poem as 'the island rose') and his wife....her beloved peacocks and her love of surfing.

Victoria Kai'ulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawekiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn was the daughter of Princess Miriam Likelike and the Scotsman Archibald Cleghorn.  Her mother was sister to King David Kalākaua and to Princess Lili'uokalani (Lydia, wife of John Owen Dominis) who on the death of her brother ascended the Hawaiian throne as the last monarch of the Hawaiian Islands.  Her godmother was Queen Victoria of England after whom she was given her first name. 

In England she was known as Victoria, in Hawai'i she was Kai'ulani.

The cinematography remains fairly true to the islands and in the scene where the Princess hosts a dinner for the representatives of the 'new goverment' of the Territory of Hawai'i, (as it became known after anexation and before stateshood), the table reflects the abundance and richness of the islands' in both the flower arrangements and in the food depicted. 

The richness and melodic beauty of the Hawaiian language is heard in several scenes as well as a 'mele' sung in her honor towards the end.

I found one of the most heart rending scenes to be one where while still in England where she was sent to study, she takes a few hula steps and with lovely hand and arm movements dances by herself, as even from so far away, she tries to stay connected to her island home.

 

To learn about the Princess Kai'ulani Project click HERE
To read more about Princess Kai'ulani click HERE

 

Comments

[Sonia]

Portia, the movie had an original limited release, so not sure if it will show everywhere, but if it does come to your area, I think it would be worth seeing. Also, it will probably go to DVD soon, I imagine, as it is not the type of movie that would attract big audiences....probably mostly people interested in the history of our islands...

[Portia Little]

Thanks for your review, Sonia. There are so few movies that are worthwhile seeing, so it's great to get a recommendation. I'll check this one out.

[Sonia]

You will love it, Louise....I could go see it again!

[Louise Butler]

Well, that clinches it. I'll be seeing the movie before the end of this week. Thank you for your review. I did hear that they'd tried to involve peacocks in the filming and when brought to the set, the birds all retreated to the trees!