Who wrote the lyrics to the song Hawaii Pono'i in 1874?

The lyrics to the song "Hawaii Pono'i" were written by King Kalakaua in 1874. This song became the royal anthem of the Kingdom of Hawaii and reflects the sentiments of loyalty and pride in Hawaiian identity and sovereignty. King Kalakaua, who reigned from 1874 until 1891, was deeply committed to the restoration of Hawaiian culture and tradition, which is evident in the themes presented in the song.

While Queen Lili'uokalani is often associated with Hawaiian music and nationalism, she is not the author of the lyrics for "Hawaii Pono'i." Instead, she is known for other significant contributions to Hawaiian music and the arts. King Kamehameha I is a pivotal figure in Hawaiian history for unifying the islands, but he lived a century earlier than the song's creation. Prince Kuhio was a celebrated Hawaiian prince and politician, but he was active much later and did not contribute to the lyrics of this particular anthem.

Therefore, the significance of King Kalakaua's authorship of "Hawaii Pono'i" lies in its reflection of the cultural and political context of his reign, highlighting the pride of the Hawaiian people during his time.