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Kamehameha V — born as Lot Kapuaiwa — reigned as monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1863 to 1872. He was born 11 December, 1830, and died on his 42nd birthday 11 December, 1872.
A new constitution
In May of 1864, he called for a constitutional convention to occur on July 7, 1864. He wanted to propose a new constitution that was in more favor to the crown rather than adding amendments to the old constitution. The convention started on time and ran smoothly up until the 62nd article. It limited voters to being residents who passed a literacy test and possessed property or had income qualifications. On August 20, 1864, he signed the new constitution and took an oath to protect it. The constitution was based on the original draft while 20 articles were deleted. When he appointed Charles de Varigny to the king's cabinet, Americans in Hawaii were convinced that he had adopted an anti-American policy. In reality, his foreign policy remained the same.
Growth in travel to Hawaii
Growth in travel to the islands increased during Kamehameha's reign. Mark Twain came in March of 1866 aboard the Ajax. He stayed for four months under his real name, writing letters back to the Sacramento Union describing the islands. Queen Victoria sent her second son Alfred Ernest Albert on a state visit in 1869. With these people were envoys, politicians and merchants, creating the need for hotels. The Hawaiian hotel was proposed in 1865 but not laid down until 1871. The Hotel is located on the corner of Hotel street and Richards street and was formally opened by a ball on February 29, 1872. The hotel changed names to Royal Hawaiian Hotel. During World War One, it was converted into the present Armed Forces YMCA.
Building projects under Kamehameha's reign
The Hawaiian Hotel was not the only ambitious building project that Kamehameha V had initiated. He wanted to create a credible and pleasing face for the government for those who visited. The cornerstone of the Aliiolani Hale was laid in 1872 and the building completed in 1874. The original purpose was to replace the contemporary Iolani Palace built by Kamehameha III. Its purpose was dropped in favor of a more useful one. Currently, it is the home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court and the statue of Kamehameha the Great. Some other building projects included the Iolani barracks to house the royal guards, a new prison, the Royal Mausoleum, schoolhouses and warehouses, an insane asylum, a quarantine building to process the flood of immigrants, and other government structures. Because of so many new projects, there was heavy strain on Hawaii's resources and by March 31, 1874, Hawaii's national debt stood at over $355,000.
Choosing an heir to the Hawaiian throne
A bachelor, he did not have any direct heirs to the throne. Throughout the remainder of his reign, he stubbornly refused to name a successor. In his last years, he became obese and heavy set. Over time, he became unable to ride a horse and took to the indoors. Without physical activity, he became weaker and was eventually bedridden. On December 11, 1872, he made a final effort to name an heir to the throne. High Chief Bernice Pauahi refused, recommending Ruth Keelikolani, then Queen Emma. Kamehameha passed on those suggestions and before it could be brought up again, he died while the preparations for his birthday celebration were underway. He was the last monarch of the House of Kamehameha. According to the Constitution of Hawaii, it fell on the legislature to name a new king. The legislature declared an open election for the office, an election won by Kamehameha V's cousin William Charles Lunalilo.
"Kamehameha V"