One of the most sensational and unusual guests ever to visit the imperial and royal capital of Vienna was the Hawaiian King Kalākaua. Apart from the official program, it was above all the Prater with its ladies’ band and Third Coffee House as well as the exuberant enthusiasm of the Viennese that put the exotic monarch in an almost euphoric mood. His appearance shocked the high aristocracy and prompted the tabloid press to report on him. This amusing and culturally and historically important book, based on previously unpublished archive material, provides interesting insights into the Viennese mentality at the end of the 19th century and into Hawaiian cultural history. In addition, Kalākaua’s impact beyond contemporary press reports is outlined using a historical popular medium typical of the time, and the significance of his visit to Vienna for Austrian-Hawaiian relations is presented.
