In her nation's darkest hour, Kaiulani found the inner strength to speak for her people, greatly influencing the American press and President Cleveland's decision to halt the annexation of Hawaii to the United States. With this action, this 'daughter of a double race' made the first step in forever changing the word's view of the Hawaiian people. More details of her life...

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KA'IULANI - THE ISLAND ROSE - Screenplay and Stage Play

An important element of The Ka'iulani Project is an original script researched since 2002. Ka‘iulani's story of determination and courage is a story for our time. The play "Ka'iulani, The Island Rose", challenges us to examine the prejudices and misunderstandings that tear us apart. Her story compels us to embrace diversity as the foundation upon which we build our greatness. The play focuses on Ka'iulani's personal experience while growing up to be the leader of her nation. Information drawn largely from her personal letters.

Kumu Hula/choreographers are most important members of this project, as several moments of truth in this production are conveyed through hula. celebrating the life of a young girl of two races, who overcame great sorrow to become Hawaii's 'Hope of the Nation.' By bringing the story of Ka'iulani to the stage we hope to empower children of Hawaiian and multicultural heritage to fully embrace their cultures and create a solid base from where they may also achieve great things. The production will premiere and be produced in Hawaii. Photos and futher details

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PRINCESS KA'IULANI PROJECT EVENTS

Upcoming:

Saturday, October 16th, 2010 - Lahaina Royal Ho'ike - From Keiki to Ka'iulani and the Crown - Historical and Sacred Grounds of Waiola Church, Lahaina, Maui.
Join us in celebration of Crown Princess Victoria Ka'iulani's 135th birthday during Children and Youth Month in this year of the Hawaiian Kingdom Bicentennial, 1810 - 2010. Experience Lahaina's Royal Past and the rich and vibrant culture of Hawai'i by joining us at the House of Keopuolani, the wife and mother of Kings, as we honor those who came before. Our keiki, our future, pays tribute to our past. The Board of Directors of Waiola Church host the event on their historical and sacred grounds in Lahaina. We invite schools and Hula Halaus to honor High Chiefess Keopuolani, Princess Nahi'ena'ena and King Kaumuali'i all of whom are entombed there, as well as Princess Ka'iulani. Later, in an evening luau setting we celebrate Hawaii's Crown Princess Ka'iulani’s 135th birthday. Schools and Youth organizations are invited to take an active part in the Ho’ike, while also having the opportunity to learn other aspect of the Hawaiian culture. There will be fun for the entire family with vendors, food booths, musical performers, special guest appearances and silent auction. The Princess Ka'iulani Presentation and luau begins at 6:30 - 8pm. The story of Princess Ka‘iulani Cleghorn is told in a luau setting with readings of selected scenes from the original upcoming production “Ka’iulani - The Island Rose”, projected historical photographs, music and hula. To offer help with any aspect of the event please contact us. More information and photos.

Recent:

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 - Princess Ka'iulani Memorial - Royal Mausoleum, Chapel at Mauna 'Ala, Honolulu, Oahu. Caledonian Society of Hawaii presented their yearly sunset Tribute to Princess Victoria Ka'iulani at Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii, in Nuuanu Valley. Fine Scottish weather of light rain combined with Hawaiian sunset made for a rainbow over the chapel while Hardy Spoehr, of the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawai`i, piped the gathering into the small church. Performances by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society of Hawaii and the Margaret Rose School of Dance from Helensborough, Scotland, who performed the Seann Triubhas - Gaelic for "unwanted trousers". This is a dance which depicts the 'throwing off of the trousers' and celebrates the repeal of the Proscription Act, the law which forbade the Scots from wearing their traditional kilts. Featured peaker Jennifer Fahrni of the Princess Ka'iulani Project spoke passionately about the Princess' life and achievements...more

Sunday, November 8th, 2009 - The Ka'iulani Project - Raising Funds for Storybook Theatre of Hawaii - Hanapepe, Kauai.
The Ka'iulani Project raised funds for Storybook Theatre by presenting an afternoon of History, Theatre and Music with Hamish Burgess of Maui Celtic on the Scottish bagpipes and Cindy Combs on Hawaiian slack key guitar. The presentation includes a history of Princess Ka'iulani Cleghorn's untold heroism, short scenes from the original script "Ka'iulani - The Island Rose" and a projected presentation of photographs. Mark Jeffers, Executive Director of Storybook Theatre says, "I am happy that the Ka'iulani Project has undertaken this mission of communicating the story of PK throughout your travels. She was so well loved and admired in her lifetime and yes, her story has not been told very much. Few children in Hawaii schools know about her." Photos and further details...

July, 2009 - Ka'iulani Project takes Ka'iulani's story to Scotland and the BBC - Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland.
Hamish Douglas Burgess, Scottish Ambassador for The Ka'iulani Project, took Princess Ka'iulani's heroic story back to her father's (Archibald Scot Cleghorn) homeland. Representing Hawaii Scots, Hamish travelled to Scotland for The Gathering, which was the centrepiece of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations. Hamish was a featured guest on both Liz Clark's show "Travels with my Auntie Liz" on Celtic Music Radio Scotland and on Archie Fisher's Traveling Folk Show on BBC Scotland to speak about Hawaii's most treasured Hawaii/Scott, Princess Victoria Ka'iulani Cleghorn. He also spoke of the history of Scots in Hawaii and upcoming Hawaiian production "Ka'iulani - The Island Rose", which will bring Ka'iulani's life story to the stage. Special note: Before the show, Hamish played Hapa's "Aloha Namahana" for the BBC's Archie Fisher which the producer then used to introduce Hamish's part of the show. Details and photos.

April 4 & 5, 2009 - 28th Annual Hawaiian Scottish Festival - Honolulu, Hawaii.
Kimo Kaho'ano joined Jennifer Fahrni, in presenting The Ka'iulani Project which opened the festival held at Kapi'olani Park in Waikiki. The presentation opened with a moving exchange between Hawaiian chant and Scottish bagpipes from Kimo Kaho'ano, Scottish piper, Hamish Burgess and Hawaiian piper, Jacob Kaio. Photo right: Leilani Kupahu-Marino as Ka'iulani, veteran actor and host of Hawaii's beloved Merrie Monarch Festival, Kimo Kaho'ano (Cleghorn descendant), as King Kalakaua, with and actor Brian Dinsmore as Archibald Cleghorn. After a performance by The Lindsay Hula Halau, The Ka'iulani Project Presentation led into the Opening Parade of the Color Guard. Mahalo to the Hawaiian Scottish Association and to Princess Kaiulani Fashions who donated the Princess Kaiulani dress for the occasion. Details and photos.

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VIDEO CLIP : Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas & Wilmont Kahaialii at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Event produced by Hamish Burgess and Jennifer Fahrni of The Ka'iulani Project and Maui Celtic. After a salute by the bagpipes, Wilmont Kahaialii, opened the show with an Oli. In the video, world's top Scottish fiddler, Alasdair Fraser, and cellist Natalie Haas accompany Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaialii in a Hawaiian/Scottish tribute dedicated to Hawaii's last Crown Princess. Wilmont sings a composition by Ka'iulani's mother, Princess Miriam Likelike... photos and further details.

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NEWS & MEDIA DOCUMENTATION - for full list

Selected Articles:

The Smithsonian
Ka'iulani, Hawaii's Island Rose - By Janet Hulstrand - May 2009
... You could almost say that she is known for what she wasn’t able to do. Circumstances intervened to prevent her going farther with her life.” Jennifer Fahrni, coauthor of the new play Ka’iulani: The Island Rose, explains “The circumstances and sadness surrounding her death have gained more attention than any of the details of her life. It’s unfortunate that Ka’iulani’s heroic stand for her people is not better known.” As a child, Ka’iulani led a charmed life...Since both King Kalakaua and Lili’uokalani, the sister who was to succeed him, were childless, the birth of Ka’iulani (meaning “royal sacred one”) assured the future of the dynasty... Read more

Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs Newspaper
Princess Ka'iulani, is the Subject of a Play - By Lisa Asato - December 2008
Maui writer and actress Jennifer Fahrni has devoted six years of her life to learning the facts about Princess Ka'iulani for a new play she's co-writing (with Carol Harvie-Yamaguchi), ... “The truth is very compelling... "putting historical accuracy before ego, Fahrni says she welcomes input from anyone who can shed light on Ka'iulani, even if they may have reservations about (her) malihini roots.“Give the criticism now before it hits the stage. I've been an actor, and as an actor you learn how to take criticism well,” she says with a laugh... Read more...

Maui Weekly News
The Legacy of a Beloved Princess is Commemorated on Maui - By Cindy Schumacher - January, 2009 Maui resident Jennifer Fahrni and her partner, Hamish Burgess, are leading a team of advocates for the princess to bring the story of her courageous life to the public. Fahrni is an award-nominated actress, and producer. Burgess is the Scottish owner of Maui Celtic and Mana‘o Radio’s Celtic Music host. They are dedicated to giving us the opportunity to commemorate the life of the beloved princess, celebrating Hawai‘i’s unique ethnic diversity and promoting cultural harmony throughout the Maui community through the ongoing Ka‘iulani Project, a movement that celebrates the life, spirit and legacy of the princess...

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PRINCESS KA'IULANI CONNECTIONS - BLOG PAGE

A blog where those learning about Princess Ka'iulani of Hawaii, can connect and comment. A branch of The Ka'iulani Project.
Topics Include: Help Ka'iulani's Belongings go to a Hawaiian Institution * Ka'iulani's Story Travels to Scotland's Gathering * Ka'iulani Celebrates Statehood? * Ka'iulani Project on Kauai with Storybook Theatre * Princess Victoria Ka'iulani Elementary School, Honoring the Princess for over 100 years * Ka'iulani in the Smithsonian * Kristin Zambucka and the Bronze Plaque * Congratulations to Maui's Sacred Hearts Student * A Note From Mindi Reid * Clarence Waipa and Ka'iulani * Upcoming Festival and Holulani Requilman * Mikahala Roy, Kahu of the Ahu'ena Heiau * The Ka'iulani Project and Na 'Oiwi 'Olino Radio Program * Ka'iulani Project - Kumu/Choreographer * It's a New Year - A Time to Take a Good Look at Ourselves *

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Ka'iulani must have become tired of constant references to her beauty, when she
was fighting with every ounce of wit and dignity, which her extensive education afforded her.

It is a concern that Ka'iulani's true story has escaped so many Hawaiians who grew up in the islands.
The Project is particularly concerned with restoring Ka'iulani as a heroine and a role model for young women.

There are several issues which we hope to address with this project. Perhaps one of the more important is illustrating and celebrating the similarities between her Celtic and her Hawaiian roots. The Scots (also an indigenous island people) experienced a similar situation;
which is one reason they have supported and continue to support the Hawaiian culture.

Our similarities are far greater than our differences.
Ka'iulani recognized this, and became one of the first to start 'building the bridges'.

Photos of Princess Ka'iulani are courtesy of the Hawaii State Archives at Iolani Palace.
This website may be used as a gathering place for those wishing to further research the life of Hawaii's last Crown Princess Ka'iulani. See links, behind the scenes photos, opinions, and contriute at Princess Ka'iulani Connections. Connect with us on FACEBOOK. The website last updated April 16, 2010.