The Merrie Monarch— King David Kalakaua
Hawai‘i artist Mark Martel has infused classic black and white photos with vivid, royal color to show the Hawaiian Royalty in a fresh, Pop-Art style.
The Merrie Monarch— King David Kalakaua
1836-1891, reigned 1874-1891
Was he too merrie a monarch? King David Kalakaua traveled to 16 countries and built the extravagant I‘olani Palace, the only palace on U.S. soil. His spending gave business leaders the excuse to force a Bayonet Constitution on the king—at swordpoint. It limited his powers and stripped ethnic Hawaiians of their voting rights.
But King David had pushed back against western influence and dour missionaries. He revived hula, surfing, and had the old ways written down. He even wrote music. King David loved to party, which is why we call him the Merrie Monarch. He was much more.
The Merrie Monarch— King David Kalakaua
1836-1891, reigned 1874-1891
Was he too merrie a monarch? King David Kalakaua traveled to 16 countries and built the extravagant I‘olani Palace, the only palace on U.S. soil. His spending gave business leaders the excuse to force a Bayonet Constitution on the king—at swordpoint. It limited his powers and stripped ethnic Hawaiians of their voting rights.
But King David had pushed back against western influence and dour missionaries. He revived hula, surfing, and had the old ways written down. He even wrote music. King David loved to party, which is why we call him the Merrie Monarch. He was much more.