The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-30
LUNALILO.

Today is Lunalilo's birthday. He
was a monarch who only ruled for one
year and twenty-five days, but he left
for himself a noble monument, the
Lunalilo home.
Lunalilo was the first elected mon
arch of these islands. Kamehameha
V would not appoint a successor.
There was no opposition to Lunalilo's
candidature, as he was the undoubted
heir to the throne, and moreover, with
all his faults, and perhaps because of
them, was very popular among his
countrymen. Had Lunalilo lived the
course Of this country might have been
different, is the opinion of some peo-
pie. To the historical student it does
not seem so. The popular will began
to be felt during his reign and from
several circumstances one can trace
the beginning of the end of the mon
archy from him.
The race of strong ruling Kings
came at an end with Kamehameha V.
1t was a case of after him, the deluge.
And he evidently realized the situa-
ton, because, looking over the field of
possible aspirants to the throne, he alb
solutely refused to appoint success
sor. He left it in the hands of the peo-
pie, according to constitutional right,
but he left it so because not only
prejudice, but political foresight,
showed him that the end was not far
distant, and he would have no hand in
appointments for rulers whom he
knew were either unfit or incompetent
Kamehameha V was a shrewd man
and of far broader mind than many
people give him credit for.
1t is interesting to note who were
Lunalilo's ministers. Robert Sterling
was Minister of Finance. He was a
Scotchman who had been Superinten-
dent of Public Works under Kameha-
meha V and then had, at the last OF
his reign, occupied the same position
in his Cabinet as he did in that of
Lunalilo. C. r. Bishop was Minister
of Foreign Affairs; f. o. Hall, father
of w. w. Hall, Minister of Interior,
and A. F. Judd, the present Chef JUS
tice, Attorney General. Two of ;hes',
Robert Sterling and E. o. Hill, have
passed to the great majority. Mr.
Bishop has practically severed all per-
sonal connection with the Islanas,
though by munifcent gifts 20 educa-
tional institutions he shows his inter
est in them.
1t was during the reign of Lunalilo
that a thorough effort was made to
carry out the law with regard to The
segregation of lepers. According to
Alexander's history over five hundred
cases were sent to Molokai. This made
the ministry very unpopular, but there
is no doubt that their action at that
time did much towards checking the
disease. Baseness later on led to the
disease spreading again, but now IL is
well in hand again. Had the policy Of
Lunalilo's Cabinet been vigorously car
rleu out, UQere WOulu nOu nave bScii
the 1.-THE of the sufferers ohat there
are now at the Kalaupapa settlement.
Lunalilo was man of brilliant mind
well stored with the writings of the
best English authors. Many an Amer
lean or European would envy his pow
er of referring to and quoting aptiy
from the English classics. He was
amiable to a fault. His love IF his
country and his people was very great
and this is what led him to bequeati
his property to found the Lunalild
Home for old Hawaiians. 1t is noSlt
institution. The trustees of the estate
did their work well. The building
standing on a slope overlooking the
town, is an ornament to Honolulu, am
one of the most striking objects as you
sail into the harbor. The view from ths
verandas is beautiful, stretching from
Diamond Head far past the North OF
the City. The building itself is sub
stantial and admirably kept. Here
many an aged and INDECENT Hawaiian
has peacefully ended ms or her days
and had reason to bless the memory
of Lunalilo |, to remember his kindli
ness of heart, and to forget his faults
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