The Royal Order of Kalākaua I

Time Period: Pre-WW1 Period

The Royal Order of Kalākaua I is a Hawaiian order instituted on 28 September 1874 by King Kalākaua I to commemorate his accession to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi on 12 February 1874.

This order was granted to both native Hawaiians and foreigners for superlative service to the monarch and to the kingdom. It was last conferred by Queen Liliʻuokalani on 1 August 1892.

In the duration of the Order, it was granted 239 times by King Kalākaua I, and 15 times by his sister Queen Liliʻuokalani. In 1893, the Order became abeyant.

The Order was awarded in four grades:

• Knights Grand Cross with Collar (only given for head of states)
• Knights Grand Cross – 12 individuals
• Grand Officer – 20 individuals
• Commander – 50 individuals
• Companion – 60 individuals

The Royal Order of Kalākaua I Design

The badge of the order is a Maltese cross in gold or silver.

The obverse is decorated with Prussian blue and white enamel, surmounted by a Hawaiian crown. The arms of the cross have a border strip of white enamel, with a blue centre separated by a thin band of gold or silver. There is a gold or silver wreath and a pūloʻuloʻu (kapu sticks – ball and stick insignia) between the arms connecting them. On the cross is a blue and white enamel locket. On a white stripe, the inscription KALAKAUA FEBRUARY 12 1874 circles a kāhili (feathered standard of royalty) on a background of blue.

The reverse comprises a locket of blue and white. At the centre of the locket is the date 1874, surrounded by the inscription KEOLA (eternal life) – both in gold.

The insignia for the Knights Grand Cross with Collar is a collar chain composed of alternating monograms “K.I.K.” and kahili of red and yellow enamel and a breast star. The breast star is identical to that of the Knights Grands Cross – an octagonal silver star to which is affixed the badge of Order without the crown and struck in gold. The sash is deep blue. The badge of the Order is fastened to a bow on the sash on a bow, resting on the left hip.

The insignia of Grand Officer Star is only a breast star. The wreath of Grand Officer Star is silver. The insignia of the Commander Cross is identical to that of the Grand Officer Star, except it is worn on a neck ribbon of five alternating white and blue stripes. The Companion Cross comprises a breast badge suspended by a ribbon of white and blue stripes.