Kalakaua’s Trip Around the World

Letters From the Mōʻī: King David Kalākaua’s Global Correspondence

In support of the October 19, 2019 Hawaiʻi State Archives public presentation, Reclaiming Kalākaua, featuring Dr. Tiffany Ing, we have digitized and uploaded our collection of letters that Mōʻī David Kalākaua sent as he was traveling around the world during his 1881 circumnavigation of the globe. The collection includes letters from the cities of London, Rome, Berlin, Brussels, Paris, San Francisco, Tokio, Calcutta, Cairo, and more. Many of the letters–addressed “My Dear Sister”—were sent to Princess Liliʻuokalani who was serving as Regent of the Kingdom in his absence. These treasured historical resources of the past offer both an interesting, and often moving, view from inside the tremendously ambitious project that was Kalākaua’s international diplomatic tour. We hope you enjoy this special online exhibition from your Hawaiʻi State Archives.

Letters From the Mōʻī: King David Kalākaua’s Global Correspondence
Call No. Item Description
FO&Ex-28 Kalakaua’s Letters from Trip Around the World, February – June, 1881
FO&Ex-28 Kalakaua’s Letters from Trip Around the World, July – September, 1881

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