History
King Kalākaua: The Merrie Monarch Who Revived Hula
Who King Kalākaua was, how he revived hula and Hawaiian arts, rebuilt ʻIolani Palace, took a world tour in 1881, and the legacy he left behind.
David Kalākaua was elected king of Hawaii in 1874 and reigned until his death in 1891. Remembered as the Merrie Monarch for his warmth and love of the arts, he worked to restore Hawaiian pride and culture during a time of growing foreign pressure. He revived hula, rebuilt ʻIolani Palace, and was the brother of Hawaii's last monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani.
Who Kalākaua was
Kalākaua came to the throne by election in 1874, at a moment when the Hawaiian population had declined and outside influence was rising. He championed a renewed sense of Hawaiian nationhood, even replacing the national anthem with Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī, which is still Hawaii's state song. His reign is sometimes called a first Hawaiian renaissance, echoed a century later in the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s.
Reviving hula and Hawaiian arts
Kalākaua is best known for bringing hula back into public life. Missionary influence had discouraged the dance for decades, but the king invited hula to be performed at his coronation and jubilee, treating it as a celebration of Hawaiian identity. He also supported music, chant, and the study of Hawaiian traditions.
ʻIolani Palace and the world tour
Kalākaua rebuilt ʻIolani Palace between 1879 and 1882, giving the kingdom a modern royal residence to stand among the world's nations. In 1881 he became the first reigning monarch to travel around the globe, meeting heads of state across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, including Queen Victoria and Pope Leo XIII. The journey partly aimed to encourage immigration for the plantation economy.
Legacy and the Merrie Monarch Festival
Kalākaua's reign was not without conflict; the 1887 Bayonet Constitution, forced upon him, weakened the monarchy and set the stage for the 1893 overthrow that followed under his sister. Yet his cultural legacy endures. The Merrie Monarch Festival, held each spring in Hilo on the Big Island, honors him as the premier celebration of hula. He remains a symbol of Hawaiian cultural pride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was King Kalākaua?
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We research each guide against primary sources: the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Mālama Hawaii, the National Park Service, the State of Hawaii and its Division of State Parks, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Census. For culture, language, and history we lean on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Bishop Museum, and the scholarship of Mary Kawena Pukui. We send readers to those sources rather than speaking over them. When rules, prices, or conditions change, we update the page.