He Moolelo Pokole
Written by the personal attendant of Queen Kapiʻolani and Princess Liliʻuokalani, James McGuire, this book tells the story of the expedition of both monarchs to the 50th Jubilee celebration honoring Queen Victoria in 1887.
First published in 1938 and reprinted in 1995 by ʻAha Hui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, this book is used as a vital resource for learning Hawaiian Language in education. Reprinted again by ʻAha Hui ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and Native Books in 2024, during the decade of Indigenous Languages, this moʻolelo (story) includes a new forward by Puakea Nogelmeier and two additional pages added at the end for notes, thoughts, and inspirations.
The new cover of this 2024 reprint has elements that include a deeper kaona (metaphor) for those who understand the history of this moʻolelo (story) and those who want to learn. Peacock feathers represent the famous dress Queen Kapiʻolani wore during the Jubilee, which was designed in New York City. When choosing the color of her dress, azure blue was suggested, and this was her response, “My name in Hawaiian means ‘Arches of Heaven,’ and as azure blue and Arches of Heaven are synonymous terms, the color would be most appropriate.” With this response from Queen Kapiʻolani, azure blue was chosen as the color of this new cover design to honor Queen Kapiʻolani’s name and the purposeful journey she and Princess Liliʻuokalani took in 1887.