Why was Kalakaua called the merry monarch?

Question

*from hawaii*

Answer 1

Actually it's "Merrie"

In his 54 years of life, King David Kalakaua certainly lived up to his nickname, "The Merrie Monarch." He had a passion for music, dancing, parties, and the finest food and drinks. The king’s reign, however, was also marked by tragedy, pain and dark clouds hovering over the Hawaiian kingdom......

For more info see:  http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/king+...

Answer 2

cause he was a bit simple minded?

Answer 3

Cause he liked parties and cause he surfed.

All the old Hawaiian kings surfed I think, or at least most of them. The first european visitors to Hawaii were very impressed when they saw the king surfing. It's funny reading their description of it in 2 century old english.