Albert Kamehameha
Crown Prince of the Hawaiian Islands
Painting by Enoch Wood Perry, Jr.
Full name
Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa a Kamehameha
Father	Kamehameha IV
Mother	Queen Emma
Born	20 May 1858(1858-05-20) Honolulu, Oʻahu,
Died	27 August 1862 (aged 4) Honolulu, Oʻahu,

Prince Albert Kamehameha , formally Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa a Kamehameha ( 20 May 1858 – 27 August 1862), was the only son of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma Kaleleonalani Naʻea, who during his short life was the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

[edit] Early life

He was created Crown prince and heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi on 24 May 1858. Styled His Royal Highness the Prince of Hawaii by the Privy Council. Adored by the native Hawaiian public, he was affectionately known as Ka Haku O Hawaiʻi and was believed to be the hope of Hawaiʻi and the last hope of the Kamehameha Dynasty.^[1] His birth was celebrated for many days not only in Honolulu, but throughout the islands. He was the last child ever to be born to a reigning Hawaiian monarch. He was the godson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

He was named Albert Edward after Albert, Prince Consort of the United Kingdom and Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa after his hanaied grandfather Kauikeaouli who reign as Kamehameha III.^[2] His name is translated from the Hawaiian language to mean "the beloved child of a long line of chiefs, a sign in the heavens." The King and Queen called their son "Baby". However, when they spoke of him to their kahu (caretakers), it was as Kauikeaouli, which the Hawaiian people also referred to him as.^[2]

Albert during his life was also made an honorary member of Fire Engine Company Number Four in Honolulu and was given his own Company Four red uniform. It was said that he would rather become a firemen.^[1] Emma and Alexander affectionately called their child Baby and would take him wherever they went by land or water, in Coach, wagon or on horseback. The great love of Hawaii for him can be seen in the fact that his four birthdays were public holidays of the nation.^[2]

[edit] Death

Sadly, at the age of four, he contracted brain fever (now known as meningitis)^[2] as a result of being dowsed under a cold-water faucet by his father after throwing a tantrum over a pair of boots. (However, Dr. Alfred Morris, a modern medical historian and Honolulu physician, analyzed the possible causes of Albert's death. He believe the Prince most likely died from a case of appendicitis.)^[2] Although both the local and British naval doctors did not know the cause nor the treatment of his illness.

As the prince's condition started to decline, Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma made a personal request to Queen Victoria, to send a bishop from the Anglican Church to Hawai'i in order to baptize the prince. They also requested Queen Victoria to be the godmother of Ka Haku o Hawai'i. Queen Victoria consented to both requests, and sent as a baptismal gift a silver christening cup, about three feet high, and very elaborate. But as the prince grew sicker, the American minister from Kawaiahaʻo Church baptized and christened the child on 23 August.^[3]

The Prince died soon thereafter, on 27 August 1862, four days after his baptising. His parents were grief-stricken, as they knelt by the side of the Prince's little bed and watched as their beloved Baby slipped away. The Queen took her dead little boy in her arms and, weeping over him, said to him, "My Baby, my own Baby and you did not know me!" Prince Albert's funeral was held on 7 September 1862. He was temporarily placed in the tomb in front of the palace below a beautiful tamarind tree. Before lid of the coffin closed, the King removed the star of diamonds from his uniform and laid it on the chest his only son. The eve^[2]

Afterwards, the King was devastated and fell into despair, blaming himself for the loss of his son. The Queen never left the little grave of her precious child and was given the name Kaleleokalani (The Flight of the Heavenly Chief), in memory of Albert, by her husband. The King then ordered the construction of the Royal Mausoleum in Nuʻuanu Valley on the island of Oʻahu to house his son's body, since the old mausoleum had become too full.^[3] (Today, the mausoleum is burial site of most of the members of the Hawaiian royal family.) The King's depression was so severe that he considered abdicating the throne. Sadly, a year later, he would die as well. To express her grief, Queen Emma changed her name to Kaleleo(n)ālani “Flight of the Heavenly Chief(s),” to symbolize her double loss.

His Godparents Victoria and Albert of the United Kingdom

[edit] Legacy

Besides the Royal Mausoleum, the four year old prince had other marks on Hawaii. The town of Princeville on the island of Kauai was named in honor of the young prince by Scotsman Robert Crichton Wyllie, a loyal advisor to Kamehameha III and IV. It was Wyllie's intention to deed the estate to Albert, proclaiming it to be the "Barony de Princeville," or "city of the prince." Wyllie's plans would never see fruition as the prince died at the age of four and his father, King Kamehamena IV died a year later.^[4]

In addition, Kaleiopapa Street in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaiʻi and the Leiopapa a Kamehameha Building (the State Office Tower) in downtown Honolulu is named after him. According to local folklore, his ghost is said to inhabit the building.^[5]

[edit] Ancestors

[edit] See also

• Princeville, Hawaii

[edit] External links

• Article of ghost of Prince Leiopapa
• Photo of Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Leiopapa a Kamehameha
• Princeville History
• Prince Albert at Find a Grave

[edit] References