2022 Experts Lecture Series Explores

Residences of Queen Lili‘uokalani

Thursdays, February 3 to March 10, 2022     12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Virtual on Zoom

Free, registration required (scroll down to register for individual lectures)

The series is curated by Dr. Ralph T. Kam, Historic Preservation Graduate Certificate Program, Department of American Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The series is co-sponsored by Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.

In collaboration with the 175th Anniversary of the construction of Washington Place, the 2022 Experts Lecture Series will explore six residences that are significant to the life of Queen Lili‘uokalani.

Just three of the six survive: Washington Place, Queen’s Retreat, and ‘Iolani Palace. Haleakalā, Muolaulani, and the Waikīkī houses are all gone. Photographs and maps exist for Haleakalā and the Waikīkī houses, and maps exist for Muolaulani.

Biographical Statement:
Queen Lili‘uokalani (1838-1917), born in Honolulu and the daughter of a high chief and chiefess, was the first sovereign queen, and the last monarch of Hawai‘i. She assumed the throne in 1891, following the sudden death of her brother King David Kalākaua, but her reign was short-lived. Lili‘uokalani dedicated much of her reign to restoring native Hawaiian rights, but a group of plantation and business owners, backed by the U.S. military, staged a coup to overthrow her in 1893. After a failed insurrection by her supporters in 1895, she was charged with treason and put under house arrest in her palace. When Hawai‘i was annexed by the United States in 1898, Lili‘uokalani declined the offer to watch the annexation ceremonies, as she could not bear to see the Hawaiian flag lowered and the Stars and Stripes put in its place. For the rest of her life, she fought to preserve native Hawaiian rights and traditions. A talented songwriter and musician, she composed over 150 songs, including Aloha ‘Oe. She also established a bank for women, a fund for the education of native Hawaiian girls, as well as The Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust to support Hawaiian orphans, which is still thriving today.

Source: “Queen Lili‘uokalani – the First and Last Queen of Hawai‘i” for Unladylike2020: The Changemakers by PBS American Masters.

Photo at top: Residences of Lili‘uokalani (clockwise from the upper right): Haleakalā, Washington Place, ‘Iolani Palace and Paoakalani. Lili‘uokalani is seated in front of Washington Place.

This program is funded by a grant from the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this lecture seriesdo not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Thursday, February 3, 2022
12:00 to 1:00 PM

Haleuluhe (Lili‘uokalani birthplace)

Compound of King Kamehameha III and possible birthplace of Queen Liliuokalani.

Presenter:  Ami Mulligan, Ph.D. candidate, History Department, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Haleakalā

Residence of Abner Paki and Konia, hānai parents of Lili‘uokalani and biological parents of Bernice Pauahi Bishop. As a hotel called Hamilton House it was later occupied by armed forced from the USS Boston. It was sold at auction by the Bishop Estate, much to the disappointment of Lili‘uokalani.

Presenter: Nanea Armstrong-Wassel, curator, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop Heritage Center, Kamehameha Schools

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Thursday, February 10, 2022
12:00 to 1:00 PM

Washington Place

Queen Lili‘uokalani’s primary residence from her marriage until her death. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the home celebrates 175 years in 2022. The Queen composed the song “Wiliwili Wai” about the lawn sprinkler next door.

Presenter: Rianna M. Williams, author of “Queen Lili‘uokalani, the Dominis family, and Washington Place, Their Home”.

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Tours & Gardens: Experience Washington Place in person or virtually.

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Thursday, February 17, 2022
12:00 to 1:00 PM

Queen’s Retreat (Boyd House, Hedemann Estate) 

Queen’s Retreat is the place that inspired “Aloha ‘Oe” and was a favorite resting place for the then Princess.

Presenter: Paul Brennan, President Kailua Historical Society

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Thursday, February 24, 2022
12:00 to 1:00 PM

Mu‘olaulani

Mu‘olaulani was the location used to plan the Wilcox Rebellion of 1889 and a place for discussion about the proposed Constitution of 1892. It inspired the song “Muolaulani.”

Presenter: Ralph Thomas Kam, author of “Remembering the Royal Residences of Kapālama: The Homes of Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani and Queen Lili‘uokalani,” Hawaiian Journal of History (2013)

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Thursday, March 3, 2022
12:00 to 1:00 PM

Waikīkī Residences (Paoakalani, Hamohamo, Kealohilani)

Paoakalani inspired the song “Paoakalani.” The sheet music was included in the cornerstone of Lili‘uokalani School.

Hamohamo is mentioned in Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen as a place that she allowed individuals who helped in the overthrow to spend time relaxing on the beach.

Kealohilani was transferred to Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole to prevent challenge to Lili‘uokalani Trust and named Pualeilani II.

Presenter: Don Hibbard, author of “The View from Diamond Head: Royal Residence to Urban Resort”

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Thursday, March 10, 2022
12:00 to 1:00 PM

Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace was the home of the monarchs and the official residence of the Kalākaua dynasty. After the overthrow, the Queen was imprisoned in the palace where she composed the “Queen’s Prayer.”

Presenter: Zita Cup Choy, Iolani Palace Historian

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