Robert Louis Stevenson, searching for a gentler climate to suit his fragile health,
at the age of 38, set sail from San Francisco to the South Seas
on a chartered schooner, the Casco, with crew and family in tow.
Having been born into a family of Scotland's famed lighthouse engineers,
he had a deep appreciation and abiding love for the sea; and,
as he delighted in the long voyage, the adventure itself proved
to lift the burden of his physical suffering.

His Silver Ship left Tahiti December 25, 1888 and arrived in Honolulu Harbor
January 24, 1889. Once there, the beloved author of Treasure Island,
A Child's Garden of Verses, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
and Kidnapped was warmly greeted and embraced by the ruling
monarch of the Hawaiian Islands, King Kalakaua.

Soon after his arrival Stevenson began to mentor the King's niece,
Princess Ka'iulani; as the 12 year old heiress-apparent to the throne
was about to embark on a journey to his native land.
For Ka'iulani to leave Hawaii for so foreign a place, to leave all that she knew and loved
so soon after the death of her mother, albeit for education in the studies
then considered invaluable for one destined to be queen,
the confident child in nature suffered deeply with sadness and apprehension.
But Tusitala, the beloved 'Teller of Tales' (as R.L.S. was
so named by the islanders) spent many an hour,
weaving her words of comfort and courage,
as only the master of his craft could do.

The eminent author would visit the child at Ainahau, the royal estate
her Scottish father had created for her and her mother, the King's sister,
Princess Likelike. Imagine Ka'iulani hearing Stevenson's lyrical voice
in so magical a place; receiving his counsel beneath the shade
of an imposing banyan; being in the presence of his imagination
while walking round a shamrock-shaped pond amidst her favorite flowers,
(the Chinese Jasmine: pikake, so named because she loved peacocks),
where her pet turtle, strutting regal peafowl,
and white pony Fairy, roamed freely.
Surely, by the time the young Princess was to set sail she was sufficiently
imbued with the confidence and the curiosity of an adventurer.

Sadly, annexation came and the monarchy fell;
thus Ka'iulani never got the chance to reign,
but during her short lifetime did seize the opportunity,
before President Cleveland and the press,
to advocate for her land
and her people.

Truly Poet and Princess were united by strong common bonds;
both had endured physical adversity and had been cared for by
devoted Nannies they adored; both experienced each others homelands,
which expanded their vision and spiritual horizons; and both believed in
the right of sovereignty for all island peoples. And, though Ka'iulani died
tragically at the age of 23 and Stevenson at 44, during their brief lifetimes
both managed with great success to strengthen and inspire not only each other
but to this day, many more purposeful souls.

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON-
STEPFATHER AND GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT FOR CHILDREN EVERYWHERE

Call 808-960-5447 or 808-896-4845 for more information. Or send email to: rebsender@hotmail.com