Ka Leo Akaaka o Ka Lehulehu o Ke Koho Pāloka 1874 (The Distinct Voices of the 1874 Election)

This research examines the nineteenth-century Hawaiian Kingdom through the framework of moʻolelo (stories), moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy), and Indigenous feminism to challenge the temporality and paternalistic colonial narratives that have marginalized Indigenous women and perpetuated a narrow, colonial view of Hawaiian history. Central to this research is the overarching question: where are the beloved women? Through juxtaposing the Hawaiian-language version with the English-translated one of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s first written constitution, we are provided insight into the gaps in which Native women began to disappear. Building from this, this work considers the question: did women really disappear? Or did they activate their agency in ways that challenged the Western-imposed definitions of women in subjugated roles? To address this question, I examine the election between Queen Emma Naeʻa Rooke, a Native Hawaiian queen, and King David Kalākaua, a Native Hawaiian king. By focusing on this particular moment, this work uplifts and amplifies the role of Native Hawaiian women while demonstrating their ability to deftly navigate the evolving political landscape. With limited literature available regarding Queen Emma and the onslaught of narratives that have created a colonialist characterization of Native Hawaiians as "primitive" and missionaries as "benevolent and selfless crusaders," this research aims to correct the oversight that has resulted in the erasure of women from Hawaiian history. Overall, this presentation demonstrates that the beloved wāhine never disappeared.