He Aupuni Ho'ona'auao, A Kindgom of Learning

E nā hoa o ke kakahiaka, aloha mai! He Aupuni Ho'ona'auao, A Kingdom of Learning was the philosophy of Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III. He declared, "E nā ali'i a me nā kānaka, e ho'olohe mai! E lilo i ko'u aupuni i Aupuni Ho'ona'auao. Chiefs and people, give ear to my remarks! My kingdom shall be a kingdom of learning." Kauikeaouli knew that education was vital in preparing his people for the changes taking place in Hawai'i during his reign. As such, he encouraged the early missionaries to start schools in Hawai'i, teaching students to read and write. The first schools were simple hale pili (grass houses) with mats on the floor to sit on. By 1830 there were schools established on every island. With the growing number of Hawaiians becoming students there arose a need for more teachers. In 1831 Lahainaluna School was opened and became a school to train Hawaiian men to become teachers. Many of the graduates of Lahainaluna became prominent citizens and scholars of their time. Both Samuel Mānaiakalani Kamakau and David Malo were schooled at Lahainaluna. Their literary works are highly regarded and continue to be used today. In 1839 Kauikeaouli opened the Chief's Children's School in Honolulu to prepare future rulers of Hawai'i, which later became known as the Royal School. Among its students were Alexander Liholiho, Lot Kapuāiwa, William Lunalilo, David Kalākaua, Lydia Lili'uokalani and Bernice Pauahi. Education became more and more important and soon the government took over the public schools. The constitution of 1840 provided free public education and required all children to attend. At the end of Kauikeaouli's rule there were 423 schools in Hawai'i with over 12,000 students enrolled. Most of the schools used Hawaiian language as the medium of instruction. Hawai'i became one of the most literate countries in the world. Indeed, Kauikeaouli has established "He Aupuni Ho'ona'auao", a kingdom of learning.