Princess Ka‘iulani: The Movie and the History

Hollywood and history sometimes do not see past events the same way. Here’s a

chance to see the recent movie about our Scottish-Hawaiian princess

and hear a historian’s take on what is historical and what fictional in the 2009 movie.

See the movie Princess Ka‘iulani on March 3, 2012 at St Clement’s Parish Hall,

1515 Wilder Ave, Honolulu, starting at 6:45 pm. Dr. Paul Field, recently retired

from Windward Community College, taught courses in Hawaiian history and will

be our authority on the historical events in the life of the princess and in Hawai’i.

Popcorn and soft drinks will be available. There is no charge for this event.

Princess Ka‘ilulani, (1875-1899) was the heir to the throne of Hawaii as the daughter of

Princess Miriam Likelike and Scottish-born Archibald Scott Cleghorn. Scottish writer

Robert Louis Stevenson befriended her during his time in Hawai‘i and wrote a poem

at her departure for schooling in UK.

The 2009 movie by Marc Forby (originally called The Barbarian Princess) staring Q’orianka Kilcher, includes scenes shot in ‘Iolani Palace and one on The Falls of Clyde.

The movie starts with her childhood in Hawai’i and follows her education in England,

the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, her attempt to undo the overthrow by appeals

to the U.S., and her return home to Hawai‘i.

Others have also portrayed the history of “the Pikaki Princess” in books and

plays, including Jennifer Farni, who is associated with Maui Celtic, and the originator

of “The Ka‘iulani Project.”