Crown of Hawaii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crown of Hawaii |
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Crown used by king Kalākaua
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| Country |  Kingdom of Hawaii |
The Crown of Hawaii was a special royal crown. It was used by King Kalākaua, who was the last king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. This crown was a symbol of his power and his kingdom.
Why Did Hawaii Need a Crown?
King Kalākaua traveled all around the world in 1881. He visited many countries, including those in Europe. During his travels, he saw how European kings and queens had grand ceremonies called coronations. A coronation is a special event where a king or queen officially receives their crown and begins their rule.
Seeing these ceremonies gave King Kalākaua an idea. He wanted Hawaii to have a similar, grand coronation. This would show the world that Hawaii was a strong and important kingdom. To have a coronation, he needed a crown! So, he decided to order crowns for himself and his queen.
Where Were the Crowns Made?
The king ordered the crowns from a skilled jeweler in London, England. This jeweler was known for making beautiful and fancy items.
What Did the Crown Look Like?
The Crown of Hawaii was made from shiny gold. It had a shape that was almost like an oval. The crown was decorated with many beautiful things.
- It had golden leaves that looked like taro plants. Taro is a very important plant in Hawaiian culture.
- The crown also sparkled with many diamonds and other precious jewels.
- Right on top of the crown, there was a Maltese cross.
This special crown cost about $5,000 at the time. That was a lot of money back then! It showed how important the crown was to King Kalākaua and his kingdom.
