Princess Luka Ruth Keʻelikōlani (1826-1883)
Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani served as an official for the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. She sat on the King’s Privy Council and served in the House of Nobles (1855-1857). As Governor of Hawaiʻi Island for nineteen years (1855-1874) she administered the matters of the largest island with her Lieutenant Governor, Rufus Anderson Lyman. Though trained in English at the Chief’s children’s school, the Princess insisted on using ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in government conversations.
Like other native Hawaiians, Keʻelikōlani did not separate her spirituality from everyday activities. She advocated for the continuation of native culture and values. In 1881, when a lava flow threatened Hilo, she offered a chant and offering to Pele and the flow stopped.
The Lyman Museum preserves photographs of Keʻelikōlani and one letter. The Archives is open for research by appointment. Learn more at https://lymanmuseum.org/archives/research-collection/.
(Click on images to enlarge)