Speeches of His Majesty Kamehameha IV to the Hawaiian Legislature (Dodo Press)

Kamehameha IV, born Alexander 'Iolani Liholiho Keawenui (1834-1863) reigned as the fourth king of the United Kingdom of Hawai'i from 11 January 1855 to his death on 30 November 1863. He was born in Honolulu on the island of O'ahu to Mataio Kekuanaoa, Governor of Hawai'i, and Kina'u, the Kuhina Nui or Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. He was the grandson of Kamehameha the Great, Hawai'i's first monarch. He served alongside Emma, Queen Consort of Hawai'i. Alexander and Queen Emma devoted much of their reign to providing quality healthcare and education for their subjects. They were concerned that foreign ailments and diseases like leprosy and influenza were decimating the native Hawaiian population. They were also concerned with the influence of a growing American nation. America began to exert a great deal of economic and political pressure on the Kingdom of Hawai'i. In an effort to balance the amount of influence exerted by American interests, Alexander began a campaign to limit Hawai'i's dependence on American trade and commerce. He sought deals with the British and other European governments.