King Kalakaua Koa Sculpture

Alu Mai 2021 Silent Auction

This is an extraordinary koa portrait sculpture honoring the last king of Hawai‘i, David Laʻamea Kamananakapu Mahinulani Naloiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua. A penultimate monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Kalakaua reigned from February 12, 1874, until his death on January 20, 1891. With his convivial personality and talent for singing and ukulele playing to entertain his guests, he was often called “The Merrie Monarch,” the namesake for the highly respected hula festival held in Hilo, Hawai‘i. At Kalakaua’s coronation and birthday jubilee, the hula that had been banned from public in the kingdom became a celebration of Hawaiian culture.

Ed Kayton has revered the Hawaiian people and culture since coming to Hawai‘i in 1977. Kayton’s stunning koa sculpture is an example of his mastery of classical bust portraiture and his knowledge of the Hawaiian royalty. Imagine this rare portrait bust as a focal point in your living room or home study.

Footnote: After his nine-piece series of the Kamehameha dynasty was unveiled in the Hawai’i State Capitol, Kayton was honored in 1983 with an exclusive U.S. Senate rotunda exhibit, sponsored by the late U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga.