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'Āinahau' was the royal estate of Princess Victoria Kaiulani, heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Located in Waikīkī, the 10 acre (40,000 m²) estate was deeded to the toddler Kaiulani by her godmother, Princess Ruth Keelikolani. Archibald Cleghorn, Kaiulani's Scottish father and former royal governor of Oahu, built a two-story home on the estate. It was furnished with two grand pianos, elaborate brocade chairs, gold and glass cabinets and fixtures. Also, there were various art collections displayed on the walls and rooms. From Āinahau, the Cleghorn family would entertain Hawaii's prestigious social circles. In Hawaiian, "Āinahau" means, "the cool place".
Cleghorn collected flowers and trees from all over the world, planted in various gardens on the estate. A stable was built for several horses, including quarters for Kaiulani's prized pony. Āinahau was made famous in later years for its many peacocks that roamed freely on its grounds. Kaiulani would be called the "Princess of Peacocks" in legend.
Kaiulani became mistress of Āinahau at the age of 12, upon the death of her mother Princess Miriam K. Likelike. As mistress of Āinahau, she grew fond of the company of the Scottish poet and author, Robert Louis Stevenson, who stayed at Āinahau over the course of Kaiualani's childhood.
What was once the entrance of Āinahau is today the site of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, built by Matson Navigation Company, owned by Kyo-Ya Company Limited, and operated under the Sheraton brand. Across the street on Kalākaua Avenue is the Moana Hotel which had just been built towards the end of Kaiulani's life.

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External links

External links

★ Sheraton Princess Kaiulani website