National Anthem Hawaii (1876-1893) (Instrumental)

3 years ago
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The death of the bachelor King Kamehameha V, who did not name an heir—resulted in the popular election of Lunalilo over Kalākaua. Lunalilo died the next year, also without naming an heir. In 1874, the election was contested within the legislature between Kalākaua and Emma, Queen Consort of Kamehameha IV.
After riots broke out, the United States and Britain landed troops on the islands to restore order. Governance passed to the House of Kalākaua.

In 1876, shortly after David Kalākaua started his reign as Hawaii’s last king, the Hawaiian anthem was replaced with “Hawaiʻi ponoʻī”, which Kalākaua himself had written the lyrics to; the music was by the royal bandmaster.
When the Hawaiian monarchy was replaced with first a republic then with American control, the anthem was abolished. It was a natural choice, however, for a state song after Hawaii became a state in 1959, and was officially decreed as a state symbol in 1967. The last anthem of the Kingdom of Hawaii, now the state song, is still sung at sporting events, after the national anthem.

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