Royal Order of Kamehameha I (decoration)

The Order of Kamehameha I was founded on 11 April, 1865 by King Kamehameha V in memory of his grandfather King Kamehameha the Great and in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. This Order was granted to both native Hawaiians and foreigners for distinguished service to the king and the people of Hawaiʻi. Upon its inception, it became the first Knighty Order of the Kingdom of Hawai`i. The Order eventually fell into disuse as it was last awarded in 1886 by King Kalakaua I; it was made obsolete 1893.

Grades

Grades:
* Knights Grand Cross with Collar
* Knights Grand Cross (KGCK)
* Knights Commander (KCK)
* Knights Companion (CK)

The Order:Granting the insignia and awards of the Order was determined by the number of living members of the Order. At any given time there could only be:

* Knights Grand Cross with Collar - limited to heads of state
* Knights Grand Cross - 10 individuals
* Knights Commander - 30 individuals
* Knights Companion (Knight) - 50 individuals

In the duration of the Order, it was awarded 57 times by King Kamehameha V, and 82 times by King Kalakaua I.

Number of awards in the history of the Order:
* Knights Grand Cross Star - 40 recipients [11 Hawaiian subjects, 29 foreigners.]
* Knight Commander Cross - 56 recipients
* Knights Companion Cross - 43 recipients

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Insignia of the Order

Badge

The insignia consists of a Maltese cross in gold or silver with white enamel surmounted by the Hawaiian crown. Rays of gold or silver are found between the arms of the cross. Enameled in blue and white and centered on the cross is a circular shield, the center of which is inscribed and elaborate "K". On the periphery of the shield, in a blue band, is the inscription "KAMEHAMEHA I", beneath which are two laurel branches - all in gold. On the badge's reverse, around the shield is inscribed "E HOOKANAKA" (Order of Fraternity).

Knights Grand Cross with Collar

The insignia are a gold collar chain and a breast star. The collar chain is sectional and comprises alternating monograms "K" and Hawaiian crowns. The central component of the chain is the monogram "K" surrounded by an open laurel crown with leaves of Viennese green enamel; this is flanked by small enameled badges of the Order. Hanging from the central component is the badge of the Order. The breast star is identical to that of the Knights Grands Cross, as detailed below.

Knights Grand Cross Star

The insignia of the Knights Grand cross comprises a breast star, and the badge of the Order and worn on a grand cordon sash. The breast star is an octagonal silver star to which is affixed the badge of Order without the crown - in gold. The sash is red with a white stripe bordering the edge. The badge of the Order in brilliants is fastened to a bow on the sash on a bow, resting on the left hip.

Knights Commander Cross

The insignia of the Knights Commander Cross comprises a badge of the Order worn on a neck ribbon of four alternating white and blue stripes.

Knights Companion Cross

The Knights Companion cross comprises a breast badge suspended by a ribbon of red and blue stripes.

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Annuity

Recipients of the Order who were resident in the Hawaiian Islands received a yearly salary depending upon their grade: $250 for the Knights Grand Cross, $150 for the Knight Commander, $75 for the Knight.

Grand Council

The Grand Council of Order, comprising the Order's Cavaliers resident on the Hawaiian islands, convened yearly. Members absent from the annual meeting without a written message for a valid reason were penalized $20. Among Royal Hawaiian Orders, only this and the Royal Order of Kalakaua I gathered at regular intervals.

Recipients

Among those awarded with Knights Grand cross were:
* Russian Emperor, Alexander III (1893)
* Queen of Great Britain, Victoria (1881)
* Emperor of Germany, Wilhelm I (1876)
* Emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph I (1865)
* Emperor of Japan, Meiji (1881)
* King of Spain, Alfonso XII (1881)
* Kings of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II (1865) and Umberto I (1878)
* King of Portugal, Luís I (1881)
* King of Bavaria, Ludwig II (1865)

The Knights Grand Cross with Collar was awarded on two occasions, to Queen Victoria of Great Britain and to Emperor Meiji of Japan.

Notes

References

Medcalf, Donald & Ronald Russell (1978)."Hawaiian Money: Standard Catalog: Includes Tokens, Medals & Royal Orders".Honolulu: Nani Stamp & Coin LTD. ISBN 0-931388-00-7.

Werlich, Robert (1965)."Orders & Decorations of All Nations: Ancient & Modern, Civil & Military". Quaker Press. ISBN 1-151-37961-1.

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