Read this article in ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi
There were many homes that Liliʻuokalani lived in. Not only Washington Place – that was where she lived while married to John Dominis and after the overthrow.
In her childhood, she was taken in adoption to Haleʻākala (Pink House) by her adopted parents, Konia and Pākī. However, from age four to age 12, she lived at the dormitory of the Royal Children’s School below Punchbowl on Queen Emma Street. This school of Amos Cooke was near the home of her grandfather, ʻAikanaka, and was the home where Keohokalole gave birth to Liliʻu.
In 1868, the sixth year of her marriage to John Dominis, Liliʻuokalani inherited several acres in Hamohamo. There were two homes there: one was Paoakalani and the other was Keʻalohilani, the one closer to the beach and where she lived while vacationing in Waikīkī.
Because of her fondness for the seaweed called huluhuluwaena, Liliʻuokalani brought the seaweed from Lahaina to propagate at Waikīkī in front of Keʻalohilani. Although she did not live at Paoakalani, as it was the home for her retainers, it became famous due to the song, My Flower at Paoakalani. If you visit Waikīkī, youʻll still find the names Paoakalani (an avenue) and Keʻalohilani (a resort).
Another home was made famous in the song Nohea i Muʻolaulani. Many are misdirected by reading Place Names of Hawaiʻi which says that Muʻolaulani was at the former Liliʻuokalani Children’s Center on Hālona Street but that is not correct.
Muʻolaulani was near Mayor Wright Housing near King and Liliha Streets. Liliʻuokalani bought the house while she was princess of the Hawaiian Kingdom from Simon Kaʻai, a representative of Kona in the legislature.
Some believe it was named for Ruth Keʻelikōlani as Ruth’s home, Mauna Kamala, was nearby. This name (Muʻolaulani) is in the chant, He Inoa no ka Haku o Hawaiʻi. Ruth is called Muʻolaulani along with her siblings, Kapuāiwa, ʻIolani, and Lohelani (Kamāmalu).
“Of fine appearance is Muʻolaulani, a beauty everlasting from season to season.” – Liliʻuokalani, 1885
