Downtown in Honolulu in Honolulu County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
King William Charles Lunalilo
Jan. 31, 1835 – Feb. 3, 1874
King Lunalilo died at thirty-nine years of age on February 3, 1874. He had reigned for only one year and twenty five days. Lunalilo did not name a successor to the throne. He insisted that the choice of the next monarch should rest in the hands of his people. The service for Lunalilo was conducted by the Reverend Henry Parker of Kawaiaha‘o Church and his body was temporarily taken to the Royal Mausoleum in Nu‘uanu Valley until his tomb at Kawaiaha‘o Church was ready.
One of the king’s last wishes was to be put to rest at Kaiwaia‘o Church instead of the Royal Mausoleum. Lunalilo was “the people’s choice.” They had loved him and he had returned their love. By being buried at the cemetery with the common people he loved he felt he would be closer to them. When the remains of Hawai‘s’s royalty were removed from the Royal Tomb on ‘Iolani Palace grounds and taken to the Royal Mausoleum in Nu‘uanu, the remains of Lunalilo‘s mother, Kekauluohi, were not taken to the Royal Mausoleum. This may have been an oversight; no one knows. However, Lunalilo chose to be buried on Kawaiaha‘o Church grounds and not at the Royal Mausoleum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1845.
Location. 21° 18.283′ N, 157° 51.493′ W. Marker is in Honolulu, Hawaii, in Honolulu County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Punchbowl Street and South King Street, on the left when traveling south on Punchbowl Street. It is inside the driveway to Kaiwaia‘o Church, on the right, in front of the Lunalilo Mausoleum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Honolulu HI 96813, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kawaiaha‘o Landmark (a few steps from this marker); Kawaiaha'o Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Hiram Bingham (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Kawaiaha'o Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); Reverend James Kekela (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Hawaiian Printing (about 600 feet away); King Kamehameha I (about 600 feet away); Aliiolani Hale (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Honolulu.
More about this marker. The mausoleum, on the grounds of the Kaiwaia‘o Church, was designed by Robert Lishman.
Regarding King William Charles Lunalilo. King Lunalilo died from tuberculosis while he was convalescing on Kailua Island. It is said that he had intended for Queen Emma to succeed him, but died before a formal proclamation could be made.
Also see . . . Lunalilo I, born William Charles Lunalilo. Wikipedia entry. “So great was Lunalilo’s popularity that some people in the kingdom believed that Lunalilo could have simply walked into the capital and declared himself king. Lunalilo, however, insisted that the constitution be followed. He issued the following message six days after the death of the King:
‘Whereas, It is desirable that the wishes of the Hawaiian people be consulted as to a successor to the Throne, Therefore,
Not with standing that according to the law of inheritance, I am the rightful her to the Throne, in order to preserve peace, harmony and good order, I desire to submit the decision of my claim to the voice of the people’.” (Submitted on November 23, 2008.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,413 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 23, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.