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King Kalakaua, famously known as The Merrie Monarch, revived the beloved hula dance previously banned by staid missionaries. His love of Hawaiian culture and the arts was reflected in the popular social events held at Iolani Palace. Under the threat of force by a group of businessmen and politicians secretly in favor of annexation to the United States,... |
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Kalakaua signed the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Nicknamed the Bayonet Constitution, it took away much of the rights of the Hawaiian monarchy and many of the voting rights of the Hawaiian people. Already in poor health, King Kalakaua passed away while visiting San Francisco in 1891. His famous last words were "Tell my people I tried." |
