FEBRUARY 2, 1887

HAWAIIAN PRINCESS MIRIAM LIKELIKE KEKĀULUOHI KEAHELAPALAPA KAPILI (LIKELIKE) DIED— MOTHER TO LAST HEIR TO THE HAWAIIAN THRONE

Miriam, born in Honolulu but raised on the island of Hawaii for her health, returned to O’ahu and was educated at Roman Catholic & Congregationalist girls’ schools. Her parents were both political advisors to Kings Kamehameha III & IV. Likelike’s siblings included David Kalākaua & Liliʻuokalani—the last two monarchs of Hawai’i. Likelike was in the line of succession after Liliʻuokalani. Her daughter, Princess Kaʻiulani, was the last heir to the throne before the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. A philanthropist, in 1874 she helped found the Liliʻuokalani Educational Society. Learning to play piano, guitar and ukulele, she and Liliʻuokalani founded a royal choral group, Hui Himeni Kaohuokalani. She and her siblings are recognized by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame as Na Lani ʻEhā (The Heavenly Four). Likelike was also Governor of the island of Hawai’i (1879-80). In 1887, she refused nourishment after a school of red āweoweo fish (a death omen) was seen off the coast. Likelike died of unknown causes.

Sources:

Kapiikauinamoku, "Likelike Was Cherished By Kamehameha Dynasty – The Story of Hawaiian Royalty," The Honolulu Advertiser, 11/28/1955.  Retrieved 9/13/2022, Clipping from The Honolulu Advertiser - Newspapers.com

Wikipedia

Photo:  J.J. Williams, circa 1885. Public Domain.  Source:  Hawaii State Archives. Call Number: PP-98-9.013