Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana’ole was the Founder of the Hawaiian Civic Club movement and proponent of the Hawaiian Homestead Act of 1920.
Prince Kūhiō was born 26 Mar 1871 in Kukui’ula, Kōloa, Kaua’i, Kingdom of Hawaii and died on 7 Jan 1922 in Waikīkī, O’ahu, Territory of Hawaii. He was buried on 15 Jan 1922 at the Mauna ‘Ala Royal Mausoleum. His wife was Elizabeth Kahanu Ka’auwai.
His great-grandfather was Kaua’iʻs last ruling chief, Kaumuali’i. His parents were David Kahalepouli Pi’ikoi and Victoria Kinoiki Kekaulike. He was hānai by King Kalākaua and Queen Kapi’olani.
Prince Kūhiō served as Delegate of his people in the U.S. House of Representatives 1902 - 1922. His greatest accomplishment was the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act on 9 Jul 1921. Prince Kūhīo died six months after he succeeded in having the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act passed on 7 Jan 1922. Among his other accomplishments were:
built a hospital at Kalaupapa Settlement for the treatment of leprosy
amended the Organic Act to create county governments with elected officials
obtained millions for the developement of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Harbor
re-established the Royal Order of Kamehameha and established the Honolulu Hawaiian Civic Club as an organization for the maka’ainana (the Hawaiian people)
obtained passage of the bill that created Kilauea and Haleakala National Parks
From 1902 to 1922 Prince Kuhio worked very hard for his people of Hawaii. In 1919, Prince Kuhio introduced the first bill for the admission of Hawai’i as a State. Forty years later, 1959, his dream was realized.
References:
UH Biography Seried, Kuhio Guide, by Davianna Pōmaika’i McGregor
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Kalanianaole, Jonah Kuhio, 1871-1922
Prince Kuhio: The bridge from Kingdom to State
Hawai’i National Park Established
Hawaii National Park; Hawaii National Park other communications
Papakōlea Community Association, Prince Kuhio