![]() ![]() By birthright, his remains could have remained there with the other Aliʻi, however, his desire was to be among his people, and in 1875 his remains were moved to their permanent resting place in a tomb built for him and his father, Kanaʻina, on the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church. Upon his passing, the Royal Mausoleum was the temporary resting place for Lunalilo. Unfortunately, he was to reign for just over a year, succumbing to pulmonary tuberculosis on February 3, 1874. The coronation of Lunalilo took place at Kawaiahaʻo Church in a simple ceremony on January 9, 1873. Lunalilo received all thirty-seven votes. At noon on January 8, 1873, the Legislature met, as required by law, in the Courthouse to cast their official ballots of election of the next King. The majority of people on every island chose William Charles Lunalilo as King. He therefore noted, “Whereas, it is desirable that the wishes of the Hawaiian people be consulted as to a successor to the Throne, therefore, notwithstanding that according to the law of inheritance, I am the rightful heir 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.” (Lunalilo, December 16, 1872) Lunalilo wanted his people to choose their next ruler in a democratic manner and requested a plebiscite to be held on New Year’s Day following the death of Kamehameha V. Kamehameha V had not named a successor to the throne before he died on December 11, 1872. From a very young age, he loved to write, with favorite subjects in school being literature and music. He was known as a scholar, a poet and a student with amazing memory for detail. He was declared eligible to succeed by the royal decree of King Kamehameha III and was educated at the Chief’s Children’s School, and at age four became one of its first students. His great grandfather was Keouakupupailaninui (father of Kamehameha I). Lunalilo’s grandparents were Kalaʻimamahu (half-brother of Kamehameha I) and Kalākua (sister to Kaʻahumanu). William Charles Lunalilo was born on Januin an area known as Pohukaina to High Chiefess Miriam ‘Auhea Kekauluohi (Kuhina Nui, or Premier of the Hawaiian Kingdom and niece of Kamehameha I) and High Chief Charles Kanaʻina. ![]()
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