The statue of Princess Kaiulani is located at 150 Kaiulani Avenue, Honolulu, in central Waikiki. It stands within a small landscaped space known as the Princess Kaiulani Triangle, directly in front of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. Set slightly off the main flow of Kalakaua Avenue, this location offers a quieter setting while remaining just steps from Waikiki Beach and the surrounding hotel district.
What makes this location unique is that it is not just symbolic—it is historical. The statue stands on land that was once part of Princess Kaiulani’s childhood home, the Ainahau Estate.
Visitor Information
Location: 150 Kaiulani Ave, Honolulu
Area: Princess Kaiulani Triangle (central Waikiki)
Nearby landmark: Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
Access: Public space, open at all times
Cost: Free
Princess Kaiulani: The Last Hope of the Hawaiian Kingdom
Princess Kaiulani was born in 1875 and became the heir to the Hawaiian Kingdom at a young age. She was the niece of King David Kalākaua and the daughter of Archibald Scott Cleghorn.
Raised between Hawaii and Europe, she was educated in England and prepared for leadership during a time of major change. In 1893, after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, she traveled to the United States to advocate for her country, becoming a symbol of dignity and resilience.
Ainahau Estate: The Home of Princess Kaiulani
The statue stands near the former grounds of Ainahau, the ten-acre estate given to Princess Kaiulani at birth by her godmother, Princess Ruth Keelikolani.
The estate once covered a large portion of what is now central Waikiki. Its core area is roughly where the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani stands today, with the Princess Kaiulani Triangle marking part of its outer edge.
Ainahau was known for its natural beauty. Hundreds of coconut trees were planted across the property, along with tropical plants collected from around the world by Archibald Cleghorn. The estate included mango trees, hibiscus, palms, and rare imported species, along with streams, ponds, and landscaped gardens.
It was also home to Hawaii’s first banyan tree, brought in by Cleghorn and later propagated elsewhere in Honolulu after the estate was dismantled.
Princess Kaiulani’s connection to the land was personal. Peacocks roamed freely across the grounds—sometimes dozens at a time—and became closely tied to her story. She also kept horses at Ainahau and often rode her pony, Fairy, through the quiet roads of early Waikiki.
Inside, the residence reflected royal life, with grand pianos, fine furnishings, and art collections throughout the home.
A Place Connected to History
Ainahau was part of a close-knit cultural and intellectual circle. The writer Robert Louis Stevenson was a family friend who lived nearby and visited frequently, forming a bond with the young princess.
In the late 1920s, the construction of the Ala Wai Canal reshaped Waikiki. The natural waterways that supported Ainahau’s gardens disappeared, and the estate was eventually redeveloped. Over time, hotels and streets replaced what had once been a private royal retreat.
What the Statue Represents
The statue honors Princess Kaiulani as both a historical figure and a symbol of a lost era. It stands near the grounds of her former home, connecting the present-day city to the life she once lived there.
A Landmark Tied to Place
Unlike many monuments, this statue is directly tied to the land beneath it. It does not simply commemorate Princess Kaiulani—it stands where she lived.
For visitors, this adds a layer of meaning that is not immediately visible. What appears to be a small landscaped space is actually the center of a much larger historical footprint.
