Princess Likelike

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Princess Likelike

Kingdom of Hawai'i, Hawaiian, 1875-1880
Photographs
Albumen silver print
Secondary support: 10 7/8 × 9 1/4 in. (27.62 × 23.5 cm)
Partial gift of Mark and Carolyn Blackburn and purchased with funds from LACMA's 50th Anniversary Gala and FIJI Water (M.2015.33.1318)
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

Although the photo is dated 1875 on verso, Hawai'i State Archives date similar photo to "1880s." ...
Although the photo is dated 1875 on verso, Hawai'i State Archives date similar photo to "1880s." Miriam Likelike Kekāuluohi Keahelapalapa Kapili was born on 13 January 1851 as the daughter of Caesar Kapaʻakea and Analea Keohokālole. Her mother was the daughter of ʻAikanaka, high chief of the Kingdom of Hawaii, while her father was the son of Kamanawa II, another high chief of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Her siblings were James Kaliokalani, future King David Kalākaua of Hawaii, future Queen Liliʻuokalani of Hawaii, Anna Kaʻiulani, Kaʻiminaʻauao, and Leleiohoku. Likelike and her brothers and sisters loved music. She was a poet and composer of songs. She wrote the song "Ainahau", which was written about the Cleghorn residence in Waikiki, a gathering place for Sunday afternoon musical gatherings. She wrote most of her songs at Ainahau. She played instruments such as the Kaekeeke, Puili, Ulili, Kalaou, ipu, Ulili and the Iliili. She sponsored concerts and other musical events and she sponsored young musicians and composers She led one of the three royal music clubs that competed against each other in song and poetry Princess Likelike died on February 2, 1887 at age 36. Her cause of death was unknown. She died after a a period of feeling unwell and not eating. On January 16, 1893 the Hawaiian Kingdom was invaded by United States marines which led to the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian government the following day.
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