Curtis Piʻehu Iaukea Curtis Piʻehu Iaukea served the royal family of Hawaiʻi and traveled the world as a global ambassador and special envoy for the Islands. He was a trustee of Liliʻuokalani Trust from 1909 to 1940.Born in Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island, on Dec. 13, 1855, Curtis Piʻehu Iaukea came from a noble class of Native Hawaiians who were raised to serve the ali’i. His parents were John W. Iaukea and Lahapa Nalanipo. He had a sister, Maraea Iaukea.His Uncle Kaihupaʻa and Aunt Keliaipala adopted and raised him as a youth in Honolulu, where they lived next to Iolani Palace grounds. King Kamehameha IV sponsored him to attend St. Alban’s College and an Anglican school in Lahaina.In 1874, Iaukea began a life of service to the royal family. He was appointed as a Captain in Prince Leleiohoku’s Own Corps. (William Pitt Leleiohoku II) and as a Colonel for King David Kalākaua. He also held ranks and titles, including Privy Council of State member, Tax Collector for Koʻolaupoko, Private Secretary to the King, Collector General of Customs and Commissioner of Crown Lands.On April 7, 1877, he married Charlotte Kahaloipua Hanks, who bore children Frederick Hanks Nalaniahi and Lorna Kahilipuaokalani. Charlotte, too, was a member of the noble class and served as a lady-in-waiting for Queen Kapiʻolani. As a palace member, Iaukea served as a Commissioner and Special Envoy for foreign diplomatic tours. He attended the Great International Fisheries Exhibition in London and the coronation of Czar Alexander of Russia in St. Petersburg; and he led tours to India, Germany, France, Spain, Serbia and other European nations. He also negotiated a Hawaii-Japan immigration plan with Emperor Meiji in Tokyo. During Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, Curtis accompanied Princess Liliʻuokalani and Queen Kapiʻolani to England. He also was present for Queen Victoriaʻs Diamond Jubilee a decade later. After King Kalākaua died in 1891, Iaukea served on the staff of Queen Liliʻuokalani and remained as a Commissioner of Crown Lands. He was appointed a trustee for the Liliʻuokalani Trust in 1909 and served until 1940. Iaukea and his wife, Charlotte, were by Queen Liliʻuokalaniʻs bedside during her final hours when she passed away in 1917. He raised her flag at Washington Place to announce her passing.Iaukea served four years as Secretary of Hawaiʻi, appointed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1917, and was Acting Governor briefly from 1919 to 1920. He also was the chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission from 1933 to 1935, and an Archives Commission member from 1937 to 1940. Iaukea passed away in Honolulu on March 5, 1940, one year after his wifeʻs passing.