Established 11 April 1865 | Next (higher) None | |
 | ||
Motto E HOOKANAKA (Order of Fraternity) Grades Knight Grand Cross with Collar
Knight Grand Cross
Knight Commander
Knight Companion Next (lower) Royal Order of Kalākaua | ||
The Order of Kamehameha I was the second Knightly Order of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.
Contents
Grades
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:
History
The Order of Kamehameha I was founded on 11 April 1865 by King Kamehameha V in memory of his grandfather King Kamehameha I 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 Knightly Order of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi actually awarded, although the Royal Order of the Cross and Crown was established by King Kamehameha III in 1848 but not awarded until much later.
In the duration of the Order, it was awarded 57 times by King Kamehameha V, and 82 times by King Kalākaua. Number of awards in the history of the Order:
In the past 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.
Today the former Royal House of Keoua awards the order as family order.
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 Kalākaua I gathered at regular intervals.
Insignia of the Order
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).
Recipients
Among those awarded with Knights Grand cross were:
The Knights Grand Cross with Collar was awarded on two occasions, to Queen Victoria of Great Britain and to Emperor Meiji of Japan.