Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 6, 1 May 1980 — Hoike Ano The Empty Throne [ARTICLE]

Hoike Ano

The Empty Throne

by Lori Kuulei Kamae - Topgallant Publishing

He was a prince without a kingdom or a throne» yet he helped to revitalize the hopes and spirit of his people, to encourage them to be part of the new government for their own benefit, and to ensure that the islands would be treated properly as a territory. The biography of Jonah Kalanianaole Kuhio has not beēn told in detail before as well as the many deeds of intrigue and inHuenee he accomplished when he returned home to Hawaii, Nor has anyone explored the reasons why he eanie back and did what he aceomplished. He is known today as the father of the Hawaiian Homelands and the Civic Clubs as well as a se!l out, an "unele Tom" and a playboy prince. This very f!rst, full length biography by Lon Kamae reads like a personal narrative into the events of his Iife. /

Her research gathers all the pieces of information and weaves them into a coherent portrayal of the Prince is a dignifiedone befitting a man caught in a time of great transition and looked ai as a leader of a people who were morally drained and confused. The latter half of her book are excerpts from Congressional records and hearings that previously have heen out of print Her book is a popular writing and ean and sliould be read by homesteaders as weli as acadamicians alike. liowever,, we will have to wait for another writing to depth of his political life, its influence andeffect, for now Kamae'sbook should give us a start. , f 4 • MNC • r j.;