Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 2, 1 February 1991 — Royal regalia finally home at ʻlolani Palace [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Royal regalia finally home at ʻlolani Palace

By Ken Ige Assistant Editor After nearly 100 years, the crowns of King David Kalakaua and Queen Kapi'olani, as well as the royal scepter and sword of state, have been returned to 'Iolani Palaee. Jim Bartels, palaee curator, said the palaee gets its power, or mana, from these "mystic symbols of kingship." The entire palaee was blessed room by room the day before the regalia were returned, Bartels said. The regalia are on loan to the Friends of 'Iolani Palaee from the state and Bishop Museum, and are on display in a case before the royal throne in the throne room.

Last month in the palace's throne room about 50 people from organizations such as the Friends of 'Iolani Palaee, Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, Hale O Na Ali'i, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, the Daughters of Hawai'i and several civic clubs gathered for a private showing of the pieces. Also present were Bill Paty, chairman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Donald Duckworth, director of Bishop Museum. Paty represented the state, whieh owns the King's crown. Bishop Museum owns the Queen's crown, sword and scepter. Bartels pointed out some semi-precious stones in the King's gold crown and an interesting story of how it was nearly destroyed.

Bartels said in 1893 a palaee guard, known only as Ryan, a gambler and drinker, stole the crown and smashed it, removing its jewels. The jewels were mainly diamonds — some of whieh were recovered — but included other precious stones. Ryan then gambled some of the jewels away and sent others to his girlfriend in Arkansas. In 1925 the damaged crown was found in the State Archives and restored. Unfortunately, Bartels said, the person responsible for the restoration was given so little money that rhinestones and cat's eyes were used to replace those that had been stolen. "I mean cat's eyes? Gimme a break!" said

Bartels. A decision on whether to restore the crown again, more accurately, has not been made, Bartels said. But he added that because they do not wish to keep handling the crown, for fear of further damage, "I suspect we are not going to do that."

Despite the crown's laek of original jewels, those who were viewing it did not seem to notice or care. As they filed past, there were none of the expected ooh's and ahh's; but rather a solemn, respectful quiet. Although these regalia cannot be compared to others such as the crown jewels of France, Bartels

proudly said the Hawaiian regalia are comparable to those of many larger nations. The Hawaiian regalia also have a few unique features. Along with symbols dating back to Charlemagne, such as the Christian Maltese Cross, Hawaii's crowns are decorated with taro

leaves, the symbol of royalty. And although many other nations' scepters are topped with the eagle, the symbol of battle, the Hawaiian royal scepter is accentuated with the less used, but peaceful dove. 'Iolani Palaee presents Kama'aina Saturday every fourth Saturday of the month. Admission is free to Hawai'i residents. Reservations are required. Call 522-0832.

The crowns of King David Kalakaua and Queen Kapi'olani, as well as the royal scepter

and sword of state, are on display in 'lolani Palace's Throne Room.