Princess Kaʻiulani
Statue
A bronze monument commemorating the grace, resilience, and advocacy of Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Cleghorn, standing watch over Waikiki.
Grace & Resilience
The Sculpture
Sculpted by Jan-Michelle Sawyer, this statue captures the young princess in Victorian dress. She holds a book and a sprig of pikake (jasmine), her favorite flower.
Historical Legacy
Following the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Princess Kaʻiulani tirelessly advocated for her people's independence. This monument honors her tragic but influential life.
Visitor Information
Location
150 Kaʻiulani Ave
Located in a garden setting at the intersection of Kānekapōlei St and Kaʻiulani Ave.
Traditions
Often adorned with fresh leis by admirers, especially during her birth month of October.
Access
Free to visit 24/7. A quiet place for reflection amidst the energy of Waikiki.
Find the Princess
Located at 150 Kaʻiulani Ave, Waikiki, HI. Standing watch over the land she loved.
Get DirectionsHistory & Background
Victoria Kawekiu Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kaʻiulani was born on October 16, 1875, the daughter of Archibald Cleghorn — a Scottish businessman — and Princess Miriam Likelike, sister of King Kalākaua. By virtue of her royal bloodline, Kaʻiulani was proclaimed Crown Princess and heir apparent to the Hawaiian throne when King Kalākaua designated her his successor in 1887. She was just eleven years old at the time.
Kaʻiulani was sent to England for her education in 1889, studying in Scotland and England for years. When the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in January 1893 while she was abroad, she traveled to Washington D.C. at age 17 to personally lobby President Grover Cleveland against annexation. She made an impression on the American press and public with her poise, intelligence, and passionate defense of her people's sovereignty. Cleveland ultimately concluded that the overthrow had been illegal and recommended that Queen Liliuokalani be restored — a recommendation that Congress rejected.
Kaʻiulani returned to Hawaii in 1897, deeply saddened by the political fate of her kingdom. She died on March 6, 1899, at just 23 years old, from what was likely a combination of illness and grief. Her short life and tragic arc made her one of the most poignant figures in Hawaiian history — a princess who fought diplomatically for her people's freedom and died before she could see the outcome. The statue in her honor stands as a tribute to her courage, dignity, and the enduring significance of Hawaiian sovereignty.
Nearby Attractions
ʻIolani Palace
The official residence of the last Hawaiian monarchs — including Queen Liliuokalani, Kaʻiulani's aunt — ʻIolani Palace stands in downtown Honolulu and is the only former royal palace on United States soil. Tours of the restored interior reveal the sophistication of the Hawaiian court: the palace was electrified and had indoor plumbing before the White House. It is a moving and essential stop for anyone interested in Hawaiian history.
Queen Liliuokalani Statue
Standing across from ʻIolani Palace on the grounds of the State Capitol, this bronze statue of Hawaii's last reigning monarch — and Kaʻiulani's aunt — depicts her holding the Hawaiian constitution, her composition "Aloha Oe," and the Kumulipo (a Hawaiian creation chant). The statue faces the palace from which she was deposed in 1893, making the two sites a deeply interconnected historical pairing.
Hawaii State Art Museum
Located at 250 South Hotel Street in downtown Honolulu, this museum is housed in a restored 1928 building and features rotating and permanent exhibitions of artwork by Hawaii-based artists across all media. The collection emphasizes Hawaii's multicultural heritage and includes contemporary Native Hawaiian art alongside works reflecting the islands' diverse immigrant communities. Admission is free.