Likelike
Encyclopedia
Miriam Kapili Kekāuluohi Likelike (1851–1887) was a Princess of the Kingdom of Hawaii
, sister of the last two ruling monarchs, mother of Princess Kaiulani, last heir to the throne, and mistress of the [[ʻĀinahau]] estate.
. Her mother was High Chiefess Analea Keohokālole and father was High Chief Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaakea
. She was the youngest sister of Moses Kapaakea, James Kaliokalani, David Kalākaua
, Lydia Liliuokalani, Kaiminaauao
and Anna Kaiulani
, and the older sister of William Pitt Leleiohoku II. Because Likelike was not in the best of health as a child, she was sent to live in the dry climate of Kona
on the island of Hawaii
where she was hānai to a chiefly couple there. Like many of her siblings, she was most likely given in hānai to a family in Kona. At the age of 6, she returned to Honolulu and remained there until her marriage.
On September 22, 1870 she married Archibald Scott Cleghorn
, a businessman from Scotland
almost twice her age. The wedding was at her sister's house, Washington Place
. Archibald was 35 and Miriam was 19. Like her sister Lydia's marriage to John Owen Dominis
, her marriage with Cleghorn did not always run smoothly. Victorian gentlemen expected to be the lord of their castle, their servants, their children, and even their wives. But Hawaiian nobility, alii, male or female, were raised to rule others. Her husband could be blustery and demanding. The princess simply returned to Big Island of Hawaii and refused to come back. She even served as Governor of the island
from March 1879 to September 1880.
In August 1883 she wrote the strongest letter to her husband from her Big Island retreat:
As dramatic as the letter sounds, she returned to Oahu. They gave birth to a daughter, Princess Kaiulani, 5 years after their marriage, who would be the only Kalākaua of her generation. In June 1877, two years after her daughter Kaiulani's birth, Likelike had a miscarriage while on a ship headed toward San Francisco, California
. She would never conceive another child. From that time Kaiulani became the focus her life and the future of the kingdom she might one day inherit. As Kaiulani's mother she could be willful at times. In an early "thank you" note to her godmother, Princess Ruth Keelikōlani, Kaiulani wrote:
Not surprisingly another letter followed, the angry Kaiulani wrote:
Likelike was third-in-line to the throne behind her brother William Pitt Leleiohoku II and her sister Liliuokalani until Leleiohoku's death which elevated her to second-in-line to the throne and her daughter as third-in-line.
Likelike was vivacious and well-liked, and her home was opened to important people from all over the world. She had a reputation of being a kindly, gracious hostess in almost every country of Europe and almost every state of the union. She would always be up with the latest fashions, ordering dresses and clothing from Paris. Princess Likelike, Liliuokalani, Leleiohoku and Kalākaua were known as "Hawaii's First Family of Musicians." She could be quite imperious and quick-tempered. For example she once smacked a groom with a whip for not keeping the carriage properly polished.
The cause of the princess's death is still unknown; she is said to have simply taken to her bed and refused all food. In mid January 1887, a large school of fish called āweoweo
was seen off the coast of the island of Hawaii. The massing of the bright red fish close to shore was considered an omen of death for members an alii family. On February 2, 1887, Princess Likelike died at age 36, before her daughter reached her teenage years. Some people have asserted that she did this to appease the anger of Pele, goddess of volcanoes. It was said in her last hours she predicted that Kaiulani would never marry and never become Queen. This prophecy later became true. There were rumors that she was prayed to death by a powerful anāanā.
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
, sister of the last two ruling monarchs, mother of Princess Kaiulani, last heir to the throne, and mistress of the [[ʻĀinahau]] estate.
Life
She was born January 13, 1851 in Honolulu, OahuOahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
. Her mother was High Chiefess Analea Keohokālole and father was High Chief Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaakea
Kapaakea
Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaakea was a Hawaiian chief who was the patriarch of the House of Kalākaua that ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii during the last of its days.-Biography:...
. She was the youngest sister of Moses Kapaakea, James Kaliokalani, David Kalākaua
Kalakaua
Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
, Lydia Liliuokalani, Kaiminaauao
Kaiminaauao
Kaiminaauao was a Hawaiian princess by adoption to Queen Kalama and King Kamehameha III. She died of the measles at the age of four. She was a member of the House of Kamehameha and the House of Kalākaua ....
and Anna Kaiulani
Anna Kaiulani
Anna Kaiulani was a noble member of the House of Kalākaua during the Kingdom of Hawaii. Two of her siblings became ruling monarchs.-Life:She was born in 1842 to the High Chiefess Analea Keohokālole and the High Chief Caesar Kapaakea...
, and the older sister of William Pitt Leleiohoku II. Because Likelike was not in the best of health as a child, she was sent to live in the dry climate of Kona
Kona District, Hawaii
Kona is the name of a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the moku of Kona is divided into North Kona District and South Kona District . The term "Kona" is sometimes used to refer to its largest town,...
on the island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
where she was hānai to a chiefly couple there. Like many of her siblings, she was most likely given in hānai to a family in Kona. At the age of 6, she returned to Honolulu and remained there until her marriage.
On September 22, 1870 she married Archibald Scott Cleghorn
Archibald Cleghorn
Archibald Scott Cleghorn was a Scottish businessman who married into the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii....
, a businessman from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
almost twice her age. The wedding was at her sister's house, Washington Place
Washington Place
Washington Place is a Greek Revival palace in the Hawaii Capital Historic District in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was where Queen Liliuokalani was arrested during the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Later it became the official residence of the Governor of Hawaii. It is a National Historic Landmark,...
. Archibald was 35 and Miriam was 19. Like her sister Lydia's marriage to John Owen Dominis
John Owen Dominis
John Owen Dominis was an American-born statesman. He became Prince Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii upon his marriage to the last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani...
, her marriage with Cleghorn did not always run smoothly. Victorian gentlemen expected to be the lord of their castle, their servants, their children, and even their wives. But Hawaiian nobility, alii, male or female, were raised to rule others. Her husband could be blustery and demanding. The princess simply returned to Big Island of Hawaii and refused to come back. She even served as Governor of the island
Royal Governors of Hawaii
The Governor of Hawaii was the royal governor or viceroy of the Island of Hawaii during the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Governor of Hawaii was usually a Hawaiian chief or prince and could even be a woman. There were no restriction of women in government in the House of Nobles or Governship of the islands...
from March 1879 to September 1880.
In August 1883 she wrote the strongest letter to her husband from her Big Island retreat:
"You always blame me in everything and I am getting tired of it. I will have to kill myself then you won't have me to growl at all the time. I think we are better separated...as you don't love me and I don't love you so I will simply say, 'God bless the good."
As dramatic as the letter sounds, she returned to Oahu. They gave birth to a daughter, Princess Kaiulani, 5 years after their marriage, who would be the only Kalākaua of her generation. In June 1877, two years after her daughter Kaiulani's birth, Likelike had a miscarriage while on a ship headed toward San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. She would never conceive another child. From that time Kaiulani became the focus her life and the future of the kingdom she might one day inherit. As Kaiulani's mother she could be willful at times. In an early "thank you" note to her godmother, Princess Ruth Keelikōlani, Kaiulani wrote:
"Dear Mama Nui,
Thank you for the nice hat you sent me. It fits so nicely Mama wanted it, but I would not let her have it. Thank you for the corn and watermelons, they do taste so good. Are you well? With much love from your litte girl, Kaiulani.
PS. I want you to give Miss Barnes (her governess) a native name"
Not surprisingly another letter followed, the angry Kaiulani wrote:
"Dear Mama Nui,
I want another hat. Mama Likelike has taken the one you sent me. Are you better now? When are you coming coming home? With much love. From your little girl, Kaiulani."
Likelike was third-in-line to the throne behind her brother William Pitt Leleiohoku II and her sister Liliuokalani until Leleiohoku's death which elevated her to second-in-line to the throne and her daughter as third-in-line.
Likelike was vivacious and well-liked, and her home was opened to important people from all over the world. She had a reputation of being a kindly, gracious hostess in almost every country of Europe and almost every state of the union. She would always be up with the latest fashions, ordering dresses and clothing from Paris. Princess Likelike, Liliuokalani, Leleiohoku and Kalākaua were known as "Hawaii's First Family of Musicians." She could be quite imperious and quick-tempered. For example she once smacked a groom with a whip for not keeping the carriage properly polished.
The cause of the princess's death is still unknown; she is said to have simply taken to her bed and refused all food. In mid January 1887, a large school of fish called āweoweo
Priacanthus meeki
Priacanthus meeki is a red fish found in Hawaiian and Midway Islands. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 33 cm in length. Common names are Hawaiian bigeye in English and āweoweo in the Hawaiian language...
was seen off the coast of the island of Hawaii. The massing of the bright red fish close to shore was considered an omen of death for members an alii family. On February 2, 1887, Princess Likelike died at age 36, before her daughter reached her teenage years. Some people have asserted that she did this to appease the anger of Pele, goddess of volcanoes. It was said in her last hours she predicted that Kaiulani would never marry and never become Queen. This prophecy later became true. There were rumors that she was prayed to death by a powerful anāanā.
Legacy
Likelike Highway, historic Likelike Drive Inn and Likelike Elementary School bear the late princess' name.Compositions
- Âinahau
- Aloha No Au I Ko Maka
- Maikai Waipio (Beautiful Waipio)
- Ahe Lau Makani (There is a Breath), 1868, Kapoli and Liliuokalani share credit
- Kuu Ipo Ika Hee Pueone
- Thou E Ka Nani Mae 'Ole (Thou Art the Never Fading Beauty) for which her sister Liliuokalani shares credit