- published: 22 Sep 2015
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Kalākaua, born David Laʻamea Kamanakapuʻu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch (November 16, 1836 – January 20, 1891), was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. He reigned from February 12, 1874 until his death in San Francisco, California, on January 20, 1891.
Kalākaua was the second surviving son of his father High Chief Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaʻakea and his mother High Chiefess Analea Keohokālole. He was the older brother of Moses, James Kaliokalani, Lydia Kamakaeha, Anna Kaiulani, Kaiminaauao, Kinini, Miriam Likelike, and William Pitt Leleiohoku II. His name Kalākaua translates into "The Day [of] Battle" and refers to the unequal treaty imposed by British Captain Lord Edward Russell of the Actaeon on Kamehameha III on the day of his birth. Although he was promised in hānai to Kuini Liliha, Kaahumanu II gave him to the high chiefess Haʻaheo Kaniu and her husband Keaweamahi Kinimaka instead. Haʻaheo died in 1843; she bequeathed all her properties to him. His guardianship was entrusted in his hānai father, who was a chief of lesser rank; he took Kalākaua to live in Lahaina. Kinimaka would later marry Pai, a subordinate Tahitian chiefess, who treated Kalākaua as her own until the birth of her own son.