Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

"I must have been born under an unlucky star, as I seem to have my life planned out for me in such a way that I cannot alter it..." - Princess Ka’iulani,Rozel, Jersey, summer of 1897

Princess Ka’iulani, a film about the last princess of Hawaii who fought for suffrage for her people, opened this weekend.  It is story of the princess who was sent to live abroad to protect her while her Hawaiian nation was in jeopardy from American businessmen, sugar and pineapple barons, attempting to annex it to mainland America. It is a story of the last heir to the monarchy, her struggle to obtain suffrage for her people, which was limited to one vote, if one owned the land, a prior requirement that was not present when Hawaiian nation existed as a monarchy, prior to the annexation of the 19thcentury.

The film mesmerizes us with unobstructed ocean views, beautiful fields of crops, enchanting gardens and alluring sunsets. It succeeds in showing the grace and diplomacy of the princess as she pursues suffrage for her people. Unfairly labeled as "barbarian princess," by the 19th century media, the film shows her sophistication, cultured manners, playfulness, love of outdoors, social grace, even her depth of appreciating her own heritage.

Her love for horseback riding was anything but "barbarian", including the complexities of being a hapa -- half-Scottish, half-Hawaiian, as she has by necessity has to learn literacy and the nuances in both cultures.

Her artistic flair -- the ability to paint, her linguistic fluidity and musicality (being able to play guitar and ukelele), her charming friendship with writer Robert Louis Stevenson and her love of books were not shown in the film, but it forms a depth to who she is, a creative spirit of her Hawaiian and Scottish heritage.

At a dinner with President Glover, the filmmaker used the hen as symbolic of the Hawaiian people. The princess alluded to hen being spiced with pepper and how that basic spice is enough. But, the introduction of an unsavory American spice, called cumin, altered its taste, making it less palatable to President Glover. Hens were made symbolic of the Hawaiian people, an unfortunate choice for today’s audience, in post-racial 21st century, and not any more truthful than the barbarian label given by the media in the 19th century to the princess, as it denotes a killing of the hen before its purpose in life is realized.