Stamp Collecting with GS

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Stamps of Hawaii - Hawaii's Royalty on Stamps

King Kamehameha V (#33)

King Kamehameha V (Lot)

In November 1863 Alexander's older brother Lot began his rule as Kamehameha V. He was a stern, strong-willed man of 375 pounds. His reign of eight years brought in a new era of Hawaiian identity and restored some of the power of the local chiefs, but during his reign the influence of European planters and businessmen continued to increase.

Lot resembled his great-grandfather, Kamehameha I, in appearance and in temperment, but he never married and Kamehameha V was the last of the Kamehameha kings.

King Lunalilo

In 1873 the Hawaiian legislature chose Prince William Lunalilo to be king. He was a cousin to Lot, and though exceedingly popular, he had never exercised power or responsibility before being king. Then suddenly he died from tuberculoses after only one and a half years in power.

To succeed him the Hawaiian lawmakers chose Colonel David Kalakaua, Lot's half-brother, in February 1874. Queen Emma's (she was the wife of Kamehameha IV and a beacon of the "golden age") followers rioted in the legislature against Kalakaua, but were overwhelmed by armed marines from the British and American ships in Honolulu harbor. Kalalaua became king.