Hawaiian Crown Princess Kaʻiulani in San Francisco, 1897
Victoria Kaʻiulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawekiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn (1875–1899) was heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii and held the title of Crown Princess. Kaʻiulani became known throughout the world for her intelligence, beauty and determination. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, she visited the United States to help restore the Kingdom. Although reluctant to participate in politics, she made many speeches and public appearances denouncing the overthrow of her government and the injustice toward her people. In Washington, D.C, she paid an informal visit to U.S. President Grover Cleveland and his wife, but her efforts could not prevent eventual annexation.In 1898, while on a horse ride in the mountains of Hawaii Island, Kaʻiulani was caught in a storm and came down with a fever and pneumonia. Earlier she had caught cold from swimming while on the Big Island, and this worsened matters. Kaʻiulani was brought back to Oahu where her health continued to decline. She died on March 6, 1899 at the age of 23 of inflammatory rheumatism. She was interred in Honolulu's Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii. Her father also said that he thought that since Hawaii was gone, it was fitting for Kaʻiulani to go as well.
On July 6, 1923, a moonshine still exploded across the street from the Goldfield Hotel. The fire blazed for 13 hours, taking out many of the town’s businesses and homes. The town never fully recovered.
