David Kawananakoa

Prince

David Kalakaua Kanuha Kawananakoa, known in the Imperial Court of the Empire of Japan as Akitaka, was Prince of Hawaii. As the youngest son of Queen Kapi'olani of Hawaii and Prince Yasuhito of Japan, David was raised in a mixed court.

In 1941, David and Princess Eleanor of America began a private courtship. Though it was never truly made public, David and Eleanor became romantic at a young age. Eleanor's father, King James I, wished to used their close friendship as a means to undercut Japan and gain Hawaii as an ally. This was seen as controversial, and David's uncle, King Kalakaua II, sent David to Tokyo to begin training as a military officer. David and Eleanor would maintain a correspondence that would become public in the 1990's.

When the World War began, Hawaii was forced to declare war on America as a term of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. This would last until 1946, where Hawaiian military members would grow discontent with their Japanese officers and mutinied. In the revolt, Prince David was killed, reportedly executed by the Japanese. David's remains were returned to Honolulu following the war.

After the war, James' plans to marry Eleanor off was complete when David's brother, Edward, agreed to marry her to keep her safe. In her private diaries, Eleanor noted how kind Edward was, but that she still loved David.

Social

Family Ties

Relationships

Edward Keliʻiahonui

Brother

Towards David Kawananakoa

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David Kawananakoa

Brother

Towards Edward Keliʻiahonui

0
0

Life
1926 1946 20 years old
Spouses
Siblings
Children

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Generic article | Sep 12, 2025

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Comments

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Dec 5, 2025 10:02 by Asmod

Killed by the japanese instead of the hawaiian? Interesting

Dec 5, 2025 14:47 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Poor David. Died so young. :(

Emy x
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