Speeches of His Majesty Kamehameha IV. To the Hawaiian Legislature

Powerful and authoritative, Speeches of His Majesty Kamehameha IV. To the Hawaiian Legislature by the King of the Hawaiian Islands Kamehameha IV presents a vivid record of royal addresses, proclamations, and diplomatic replies that shaped mid-19th-century Hawaii. This collection brings together the king’s annual legislative speeches, his responses to foreign representatives from the United States, Great Britain, and France, and key proclamations surrounding his accession and the succession after Kamehameha III. A primary-source trove for History and Politics listeners, the book illuminates themes of sovereignty, constitutional government, and international diplomacy as Hawaii navigated pressure from world powers and internal change. The monarch’s tone—measured, dignified, and politically engaged—reveals how ceremonial rhetoric and policy statements were used to defend independence and articulate national priorities. Supplementary proclamations and memorial documents add context to the turbulent transition between reigns without sacrificing clarity or accessibility. Ideal for students, historians, and anyone fascinated by Pacific diplomacy or royal governance, this audiobook offers a direct encounter with a pivotal moment in Hawaiian political history and a rare opportunity to hear the voice of a monarch addressing a nation and the world.