These words and pictures were sent to me from Mindi
Reid
The Princess of the Peacocks
"Aloha kaua, e Susan -
I am wondering if you
know the story of the Crown Princess of the Kanaka Maoli("Hawaiian")
people - Victoria Ka'iulani, who died in 1899 at the tragic age
of 23.
This is the centennial of her death, and a beautiful new "heroic-sized"
statue of her feeding one of her pet peacocks will be unveiled
this fall on a corner of the Waikiki property that was once her
home estate.
Photo from Hawaii State Archives
Princess Ka'iulani was known for her love of peacocks,
which roamed the10-acre grounds of her estate; she was said to
have made "a study" of them, and to this day is remembered
in Hawai'i by use of the Hawaiian word "pikake" (the
Hawaiian pronunciation of "peacock") which stands forboth
the bird and the flower of the Chinese jasmine plant.
Princess Ka'iulani wearing
a lei hulu manu, a feather lei
Photo from Hawaii State Archives
Ka'iulani has a far greater significance, however,
than that of being
"Princess of the Peacocks" - she is still a beloved
royal symbol of a
dispossessed Nation, and its hopes for justice. There are a number
of books available about her, an immense photo record
survives as well - she was spectacularly beautiful."
Bishop Museum photo.
Please bookmark this page, and return, because I plan
to add more information to it.
Thanks
for stopping by.
Photos used here are for educational purposes
only...if any infringe on any rights please notify me and I will
remove.
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