Once described as the most beautiful residence in the Hawaiian Islands, Ainahau was the royal estate of Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani. A remnant of these grounds as well as a statue of the princess define the Princess Kaʻiulani Triangle in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu, showcasing what it can mean for a landmark to celebrate the legacy and history of an area on multiple levels.
The “Princess of the Peacocks”
The last heir apparent to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Princess Kaʻiulani grew up in Ainahau, which featured several bungalows, a large Victorian home and wildlife such as peacocks that roamed freely around the estate. Kaʻiulani was the only child born to the last ruling dynasty of the Hawaiian Kingdom and was only 23 when she died in 1899. The Ainahau estate was sold in 1917 and has since been developed in various ways over the decades.
Princess Kaʻiulani Triangle resides on a remnant of these Ainahau grounds and features a statue of the princess along with her beloved peacocks, which was unveiled in 1999. Created by sculptor Jan Gordon Fisher, the statue celebrates her legacy as the “Princess of the Peacocks,” which is the nickname her people gave her. The statue rises above a series of paths and green space, providing the community with options for walking, relaxing and more.
The grounds of and around Ainahau have changed over the decades but the creation of the Princess Kaʻiulani Triangle has ensured the history associated with the space will not be forgotten. Doing so has connected it to a legacy that audiences in the present and future can celebrate.
Connecting to a Larger Legacy
Princess Kaʻiulani Triangle celebrates the individual legacy of the last heir to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom but is also connected to the larger legacy of the Hawaiian Islands that continues to evolve. By creating a space that embraces the identity of this legacy in such a notable way, the Princess Kaʻiulani Triangle highlights what it can mean to see the past and future connected to the present in a way that creates interest and engagement with audiences of all types.
