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Kalakaua took the throne in [[1874]], and is known for his active engagement on the international stage and his patronage of Hawaiian arts & culture.  

Kalakaua took the throne in [[1874]], and is known for his active engagement on the international stage and his patronage of Hawaiian arts & culture.  

Like the Meiji Emperor, he adopted numerous aspects of the trappings of European royalty, in order to advance ideas of the legitimacy of the Hawaiian Kingdom and seek respect from the Western powers. He had 'Iolani Palace built in a Western style, and furnished with Western-style furniture, much of it commissioned from master craftsmen in Germany and carved in Hawaii's native koa wood. Kalakaua also had 'Iolani wired for electricity and telephone before even Buckingham Palace or the White House enjoyed such amenities. The king himself wore Western-style military uniform, as the Meiji Emperor did, and adopted Western modes of court ritual and etiquette.

Like the Meiji Emperor, he adopted numerous aspects of the trappings of European royalty, in order to advance ideas of the legitimacy of the Hawaiian Kingdom and seek respect from the Western powers. He had 'Iolani Palace built in a Western style, and furnished with Western-style furniture, much of it commissioned from master craftsmen in Germany and carved in Hawaii's native koa wood. Kalakaua also had 'Iolani wired for electricity & installed with electric lights before even Buckingham Palace or the White House enjoyed such amenities; it was also the first building in Honolulu to have telephones. The king himself wore Western-style military uniform, as the Meiji Emperor did, and adopted modes of court ritual and etiquette that combined Western and traditional Hawaiian attitudes and practices.

Kalakaua also had a still-famous statue of King Kamehameha I erected across the street from the palace, and was an active patron of hula and other traditional arts, including music, surfing, and Hawaiian martial arts. The annual Merrie Monarch Festival, the top hula competition, is named in his honor.

Kalakaua also had a still-famous statue of King Kamehameha I erected across the street from the palace, and was an active patron of hula and other traditional arts, including music, surfing, and Hawaiian martial arts. The annual Merrie Monarch Festival, the top hula competition, is named in his honor.