Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1989 — Needs Photos of Royal Students [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Needs Photos of Royal Students

Royal School Celebrates 150th Anniversary

The Royal SchooI, originally established by Kamehameha III in 1839 as the Chiefs' Children's School to educate children of Hawaii's kings, queens and chiefs, is observing its 150th anniversary this year. Five of the students later became monarchs of Hawai'i: Alexander Liholiho (Kamehameha IV), Lot Kamehameha (Kamehameha V); Lunalilo; Kalakaua, and Lili'uokalani. The school is planning several events to celebrate: a musical program featuring the Royal Hawaiian Band on T uesday, April 27, and an "Ali'i Festival" on May 12. Students will perform songs and dances of Hawai'i, taught by kumu hula Alieia Smith, whose two mo'opuna attend the school. The major anniversary event will be an evening lu'au with children's program on May 20. In keeping with an old school tradition, a children's handbell choir will perform. Principal Winehell Lee said that the school first received bells in 1915 from the brother of principal Cyril O. Smith. The school has preserved the original brass bells from New England and will have them on display. A

time capsule containing items of today will be displayed then later sealed and buried for 25 years, Lee said. The school plans to unveil on May 20 charcoal portraits of its 16 original royal students, commissioned by a loeal artist from photographs. It presently has likenesses of ten of them. Not yet found are likenesses of: Moses Kekuaiwa, James Kaliokalani, Mary Paaaina Ii (Griswold), Jane Loeau (Jasper, later Seger), and Abigail Maheha (Keaupuni). School principal Winehell Lee would appreciate any assistance in his search. He ean be reached at 538-6083. The school has received $1000 for the portraits from the Atherton family trust and will seek other donations or raise funds to make up the balance. The first instructors of Royal School were American missionaries Amos Starr Cooke and his wife Juliette. The school was first Iocated at Punchbowl and Beretania streets, where the state Capitol is now. There, they taught English, values and royal conduct to 16 royal pupils between 1839-1850.

These were: Moses Kekuaiwa, presumptive governor of Kaua'i; Lot Kamehameha, grandson of Kamehameha the Great and presumptive governor of Maui; Alexander Liholiho, brother of Moses and Lot, heir designated to the throne; Victoria Kamamalu, sister of Moses, Lot and Alexander; William Charles Lunalilo, son of the acting premier; Bernice Pauahi, later wife of Charles R. Bishop; Abigale Maheha; Jane Loeau; Elizabeth Kekauiau; Emma Rooke; Peter Young Kaeo; James Kaliokalani; David Kalakaua; Lydia Makaeha (Lili'uokalani); Polly Pa'aaina; and John Pitt Kina'u.

The school was opened as a public institution in 1851 in a new building at its current site on the slopes of Punchbowl, next to the Pacific Club. The name was changed to Royal School, and today it'san elementary school (grades K-6). It has an enrollment of 420 students from the downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl, Ward avenue and Nu'uanu areas. The current administration building stands on approximateIy the same site as the first Royal School building.

Artist's rendering of the original Chief's Children's School,at Punehhowl and Beretania streets.

The Royal School building on the slopes of Punchbowl, circa 1857.

The third Royal School building in more recent times.

The Royal Schooi administration building today stands on the site of its 1851 building.