Celebrating Liliu’s 75th birthday, 1913.

LILIU IS 75 YEARS OLD

There Were Many Who Went to Congratulate Her This Tuesday.

This Tuesday past, Queen Liliuokalani was seventy-five years old, and her friends, companions, locals and foreigners visited her at her home at Washington Place to see her, and to give their congratulations to the Queen of Hawaii nei for reaching that old age.

Just like in past years, there was a rush of the citizens of town to see Queen Liliu; it was so in the morning of this Tuesday, and the Queen welcomed warmly all who shook hands with her; it is estimated that their number reached a thousand.

The hours set aside for the public to visit her was from eleven o’clock to twelve o’clock, but there was celebration on the previous Monday night by singing groups with their instruments, as they serenaded the window of the home of the person for whose birthday it was, until the hours when the sun appeared.

After eight o’clock in the morning of that Tuesday, there was also a luau given to celebrate the day, and the royal attendants and a few malihini were invited, and they sat at the table laden with so many good things.

When the time came for the opening of the audience with the public at eleven o’clock of that morning, everyone showed up at Washington Place [Wakinekona Hale], and there too was the Royal Hawaiian Band [Bana Hawaii] honoring the one whose birthday it was.

Present was the Honorable Edward K. Lilikalani, where he stood ready to greet the public, and Colonel Iaukea and John Dominis introduced them before Queen Liliu, as the Queen would always give a smile to each and everyone who shook hands with her.

There also was Princess Kawananakoa to assist the Queen, wearing her finery, while the interior of the reception room was decorated with flowers, and feather capes [ahuula], kahili, and everything hearkening back to the past era, the time when this archipelago was governed by Monarchs.

At this audience, there were many Hawaiians who showed their affection for their queen, by kneeling before her and kissing her hand as they were used to doing.

After the audience, the Queen and her attendants got aboard automobiles headed for her seaside home in Waikiki, where a party was prepared and waited for her and the malihini invited to meet with her and to enjoy with her that day.

The Royal Hawaiian Band [Bana Hawaii] was also there following her to Waikiki, to continue to give honor to the table of the queen.

There were several hundreds of invited people that arrived to that party, from kamaaina to malihini, and they all ate until satiated of what was prepared, and they drank to the health and happiness of the mother, with happy thoughts and with hope that the life of Queen Liliu would be extended and that she would have more years to live.

(Kuokoa, 9/5/1913, p. 1)

PIHA NA MAKAHIKI HE 75 IA LILIU

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LI, Helu 35, Aoao 1. Sepatemaba 5, 1913.

More on the Queen’s 75th birthday, 1913.

MANY EXTEND FELICITATIONS TO QUEEN ON HER BIRTHDAY

TO LILIUOKALANI

On her seventy-fifth birthday

No monarch in the wide, wide world,
Deposed or on the throne,
Can boast of the loyal subjects,
Or the faithful friends you own.

Not alone of your own dear islands,
But of every race and clime,
You have hosts of fervent admirers,
Whose love dims not with time.

May the years touch you ever so lightly,
And your life be filled with peace,
Till the One above with His heavenly love,
Bids all our troubles cease.

C. D. W.

Pretty homage was paid to Queen Liliuokalani at her Beretania street mansion this morning. It was the occasion of her seventy-fifth birthday. With those about her whom she has loved for many years, those to whom she has turned in the turbulent and calm periods of her life the beloved queen opened the doors of her home for a public reception this morning.

The band played and the people came. Scores entered her residence and greeted her. Her guests this morning are to be counted among the residents and strangers, persons of prominence and persons in the obscure paths of life, the rich and the penniless, the light and dark—all came to meet the queen, to pay their respects to her and do her homage.

Kapellmeister Berger’s band played near the door of the mansion. Mr. Lilikalani, a pictureque figure with his many medals of honor reminiscent of the days when he was the lord high chamberlain of King Kalakaua’s court, introduced the guests, while Princess Kawananakoa, wonderfully beautiful in her gown of black chantilly lace and white charmeuse with the feather lei of royalty draped about her neck, assisted the queen in receiving.

The queen filled well her part as hostess. A flush of delight was on her face as she met the many guests. The splendor of the scene surrounding her, the ferns and flowers of many colors, the royal kahilis, the emblems of a monarchy that is no more, accentuated the fragile beauty of the queen. Old age has put its mark upon her, no doubt, but it has been with a gentle touch; so gentle that the woman who celebrated her seventy-fifth birthday today feels that she will live to see many more years roll by.

It was, in all its ways, one of the prettiest receptions the queen has ever given; and it will probably be remembered when the others are not. At a little breakfast birthday party she was given at her home this morning, when a few of the persons she has known for many years, were present, it was predicted that this morning’s reception would be the most successful. Present at the breakfast were the Mesdames C. S. Holloway, C. P. Iaukea, August Ahrens and J. A. Dominis; and Col. Sam Parker and Allan Herbert.

The queen’s entire home was decorated. Flowers that truly embody the spirit of Hawaii were everywhere—ilima leis, plumaria, maile, roses, lilies, lehua, hibiscus, gorgeous bowls of them, gifts from the queen’s friends. Above the constant murmur of the throng arose the haunting chant of Hawaiian attendants, while the band played oldtime melodies on the lawn. It was an imposing sight, and truly gratifying to behold the love and esteem in which the queen is held from the busiest person of this thriving territory who took the time to go, to the veriest little waif who went to wish her well.

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9/2/1913, p. 1)

MANY EXTEND FELICITATIONS TO QUEEN ON HER BIRTHDAY

Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Volume XXI, Number 6679, Page 1. September 2, 1913.

All of Hawaii was talking about Queen Liliuokalani’s 75th birthday, 1913.

HAWAII’S IMPERIAL BIRTHDAY

In accordance with this day being Queen Liliuokalani’s 75th birthday, her loyal subjects and old friends under her former administration, and even those of foreign birth, on this day from 11 o’clock in the morning to 12 o’clock, for 1 hour at Washington Palace on Beretania Street, they will be given audience; and at the imperial villa on the seaside of Wakiki will be held a grand celebration.

[There were many newspapers in many languages throughout the years here in Hawaii nei. In 1913, besides Hawaiian and English, there were papers in Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Japanese. Perhaps for research purposes we should consider not only looking at newspapers in one language, but we should see what they were saying in newspapers of other languages as well.]

(Hawaii Hochi, 9/2/1913, p. 4)

布哇の天長節

布哇報知、第213号4頁、大正2年9月2日

More on Liliu’s 75th birthday, 1913.

THE BIRTHDAY OF QUEEN LILIUOKALANI

This past Tuesday, the 2nd of September, was the birthday of Queen Liliuokalani; she has been living in this world 75 years, and she is the only reigning queen of Hawaii that has almost reached extreme age.

There was a royal audience that day as was done regularly in the years past, at her home at Washington Place [Wakinekona Hale], before noon; there were many friends and Hawaiian citizens of the queen who went to see her on that day. Princess Kawananakoa assisted her in welcoming the friends and citizens, and Colonel C. P. Iaukea introduced the friends before her, and Mr. E. K. Lilikalani escorted the malihini into the house.

The Royal Hawaiian Band [Bana Hawaii] was there entertaining the audience while they all were visiting the queen; there were many old songs, songs which the queen took great delight in while she reigned and mele that were sung in the days of King Kalakaua.

(Kuokoa, 9/5/1913, p. 2)

KA LA HANAU O KA MOIWAHINE LILIUOKALANI

Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, Buke LI, Helu 35, Aoao 2. Sepatemaba 5, 1913.

North Dakota reports on Liliu’s birthday, 1913.

EX-QUEEN LILIUOKALANI IS 75.

Honolulu, Sept. 2.—Former Queen Liliuokalani reached the age of seveney-five years today. As has been her custom for many years, the former queen held a formal reception which was attended by American and Hawaiian officials and several thousand native Hawaiians irrespective of rank or position.

(Bismark Daily Tribune, 9/3/1913, p. 8)

EX-QUEEN LILIUOKALANI IS 75.

Bismark Daily Tribune, Thirty-Third Year, Number 208, Page 8. September 3, 1913.

And Virginia also reports Liliu’s birthday on the front page, 1911.

Lilioukalani is 73

Honolulu, Sept. 2.—Former Queen Liliuokalani reached the age of 73 years today. In accordance with her custom the former Queen celebrated the anniversary by holding a large public reception.

(Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, 9/8/1911, p. 1)

Lilioukalani is 73

Staunton Spectator and Vindicator, Volume 91, Number 23, Page 1. September 8, 1911.

Liliu’s birthday reported in far away Minnesota, 1912.

Birthday of Former Queen.

Honolulu, Sept. 2.—Former Queen Liliuokalani, who entered upon her seventy-fifth year today, held a large public reception in honor of the anniversary. During the day she received presents and messages of congratulations from friends and followers in all parts of the islands.

[Although they made a math error (which it seems I am prone to as well), being this was her 74th birthday, it is interesting to see that this made the front page in Minnesota.]

(Bemidji Daily Pioneer, 9/2/1912, p. 1)

Birthday of Former Queen.

The Bemidji Daily Press, Volume 10, Number 108, Page 1. September 2, 1912.

More celebrating of the Queen’s 74th birthday, 1912.

Kauikeaouli Society

On this past Labor Day, the birthday of Queen Liliuokalani, the members of the Liliuokalani Society and the women of the Kauikeaouli Society gave a luau at Mooheau Hall. Invited to that luau were the heads of the other Societies. They partook of the kindness of the Sisters until their stomachs were filled [ua lawa loa ka lua o ka inaina]. The following night, a European dance was held and many people assembled there, and the event that night was let out peacefully. We pray that the ways of this Society will be followed for the good of the public.

(Hoku o Hawaii, 9/5/1912, p. 3)

Ka Hui Kauikeaouli

Ka Hoku o Hawaii, Buke 7, Helu 14, Aoao 3. Sept. 5, 1912.

More on Liliu’s 73rd birthday celebration, 1911.

BIRTHDAY OF LILIUOKALANI

Honolulu, Sept. 2—The commemoration of Queen Liliuokalani’s birthday was held today, and according to what the Queen said to some of her friends:

“This is my seventy-third birthday, and i am in good health; i have left behind the disturbing things of this world in which we live, and have surrounded myself with many friends.”

The Queen’s health is fine indeed, and in the morning, the Band of the County [? Royal Hawaiian Band] arrived to play while she dined on breakfast until 10 a. m. Several associations arrived to giver their congratulations to the Alii; and at 11 o’clock, the procession of haole friends to see the Alii began, and this perhaps is the grandest royal audiences of haole giving their congratulations to the Queen.

The Queen was attired in a beautiful garments fitting of her stature, and attended by the Princess Kalanianaole and Mrs. Irene Holloway and Mrs. C. P. Iaukea. The place where the Queen sat was surrounded by many different kahili, and it was her steward, the Honorable C. P. Iaukea who introduced the many strangers. The Alii, the Queen, met each one who came to visit her and she placed a kind smile upon her Royal visage. When the writer for the Hoku [this newspaper, Hoku o Hawaii] appeared before the Alii, she immediately asked, “How are the famous lehua of the land, the lehua of Hilo; are the famous blossoms of the land still beautiful?”

The Queen wore a white lehua [lehua puakea] lei from Hilo, and on her Royal countenance was happiness. On that morning of her birthday, she presented the water leaping land of Waikahalulu as a Park for the public, and it will be administered for the benefit of the people.

The Hoku o Hawaii prays for the long life of the beloved Queen of Hawaii, and although she has no throne upon to rule, hers is the throne of aloha within the hearts of her loving people. May the Queen live in God.

[Unfortunately the issues of Hoku o Hawaii from 1906 to the early part of 1917 (including this article) are not available online! The more people talk about the importance of the information in the Hawaiian-Language Newspapers and the need to rescan those newspapers clearly and make them accurately searchable, the more chance there will be funding for it!]

(Hoku o Hawaii, 9/7/1911, p. 2)

LA HANAU O LILIUOKALANI.

Ka Hoku o Hawaii, Buke 6, Helu 18, Aoao 2. Sept. 7, 1911.