The Hawaii Royal Guards
At present only one unit American military unit wears a “sun helmet” – the Royal Guard of the Hawaii National Guard, a ceremonial unit of the Air National Guard. It essentially “re-enacts” the royal bodyguards of the Kingdom of Hawaii from the late 19th century.
The Royal Guards at the ʻIolani Barracks’ circa 1890
The actual bodyguards disbanded when the monarch fell at the end of the 19th century, and the current Royal Guards were created 1962. It is made up of Hawaii residents who are Hawaii Air National Guardsman, and who are either full or part-Hawaiian ancestry. The unit serves at state functions and as for the state’s governor.
A white sun helmet is part of the uniform along with white pants and a dark blue jacket.
A clear view of the uniform of the Hawaii Royal Guard
Peter Suciu
interesting information you wrote here, keep posting please.
I was wondering if someone can give me clarification on The Soldiers of the Crown. The term, Soldier of the Crown, does that just refer to the Royal Household Guard or does it include many other companies such as the Honolulu Rifles, the Royal Guards, the King’s Guards, The Princes’s own..ect?
I am looking for information on what exactly is “The Soldiers of the Crown” and exactly that mean.
Any help is appreciated.
Regards,
The name/term “Soldiers of the Crown” refers to all the military forces in the protection of the reigning Monarch. In the case of the Hawaiian Army, it refers to the militia, volunteers, and regular army units. in the relevant fifty years during which men served Hawaii’s Royalty, they amounted to some 600 men in total (based on my research over thirty years). In Hawaii’ history, It can be confusing to differ one unit from another because the names “Royal Guards” and “The King’s Guards” are often intermixed Tragically, because written records and unit histories, often written in Hawaiian, were destroyed after the Kingdom’s demise, valuable information is scanty at best. I have written, illustrated, and printed a book dealing with the Hawaiian Guards, however, have not yet decided to publish it for sale. Hope this helps.