Ode to the Princess

Her name was Victoria Ka’iulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawekiui Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn. She was born in 1875, during King Kalakaua’s reign.  She was the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Sadly, she would never fulfill her destiny to rule her beloved Hawaii.  Regardless, she was adored by her people and is still cherished today in the heart of Hawaiians.  It was her spirit that stole the hearts of all those who knew her, and all those who have heard the tales of her life passed down through the generations.  Some say she died of a broken heart after Hawaii was annexed and became the 50th state.

Her younger years were full of joy as she grew up in her childhood home of`Âinahau in Waikiki.  Her life then was noted as peaceful and lovely.  She adored peacocks who roamed freely around her yard.  She had a white pony called Fairy she rode around the village.  She loved music, played the ukulele, and sang.  Ka'iulani was also an avid swimmer and loved to ride horseback.  She spent the early years of her life, happy and surrounded by people she loved in her island home.

She fought through speech in Europe as the annexation was looming.  She had been separated from her home for years which I imagine led to her broken heart.  She rightly has been romanticized as a graceful, royal Hawaiian who loved her island home and people.  She is held in the heart of all Hawaiians.  

Our video and photoshoot for Coco’s Trading Post took place at the Bishop Museum where she had visited while alive.  I took inspiration from old photos of her and recreated these shots in certain spaces at the Bishop Museum.  I also added a few other photo ops that were inspired by her spirit.  One shot was of her in a Hawaiian flag.  She epitomizes the love for her land and people.  These images speak of her spirit living on.  

My videographer Chris Boulware created the video content for me.  We used the most beautiful and graceful Hawaiian Misty Ma’a as our talent in our shoot and video.  Misty has a magical presence about her.  Very similar to Ka’iulani.  Alluring, graceful, emotional, present, raw and real.  We asked Misty to channel Ka'iulani and I think she did the most stunning job of this.  It was an honor to work with her on this project.  The storyline was about her spirit living on.  “An Ode to the Princess” was talking of her graceful presence, her love for her people and land and the acknowledgement that her spirit lives on in all of our hearts.  

Mahalo to Riana Espino for all photos, to Mariah Melanie for the hair and makeup, to Misty and Chris and of course to the Bishop Museum for the magical Historic space that was an honor and pleasure to work in.

xx Nicci