Kamakahelei
Encyclopedia
Kamakahelei was Alii Aimoku
, or Queen regnant, of the islands of Kauai
. She was the 22nd ruling chiefess of Kauai reigning from 1770 - 1794. In some historical reference she has been described as a regent for her sons Keawe and Kaumualii. She was the sovereign of the Island of Kauai at the time Captain James Cook
land on the Kauaian shores.
and 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai
. Is unclear why Kamakahelei succeeded Peleioholani as the Alii of Kauai. Is not certain she was even his granddaughter or even close relative. Peleioholani might have felt remorse for his father Kualii of Oahu who taken the Kauaian throne after a killing the last ruler of the direct line. Her grandfather Lonoikahaupu was five generation in descent from the 13 Alii Aimoku of Kauai, Kalanikukuma.
She first married Kaneoneo, Peleioholani's grandson and the pretender the throne of Oahu of the Kualii
line. He had rights to the succession to the lordship of the island of Kauai but it is not known if he ever contended with his wife over the rule of the island. Her husband's father, Kumahana
, was disposed by the Ewa chiefs who replaced him with Kahahana
, the last king of Oahu. She had two daughters with her first husband, Lelemahoalani and Kapuaamohu. Kaneone died during the rebellion on Oahu against Kahekili in the year 1785 or 86.
Kamakahelei's second marriage was to Kaeokulani, a prince of Maui, son of Kahekili II
of Maui. Kaumualii
was the product of her second marriage and so was the union of the island of Niihau
, her husband's domain, and the Island of Kauai
.
's inheritance of Maui. Kaeokulani proved unlucky and dies the same year being killed at the Battle of Ku-kii-ahu. ar Kalauao, Oahu December 6, 1794. Her son continued to ruled the kingdom of Kauai independently until he consented in peacefully becoming a vassal of Kamehameha the Great.
Ali'i
Alii is a word in the Polynesian language denoting chiefly status in ancient Hawaii and the Samoa Islands. A similar word with the same concept is found in other Polynesian societies. In the Cook Islands, an ariki is a high chief and the House of Ariki is a parliamentary house...
, or Queen regnant, of the islands of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
. She was the 22nd ruling chiefess of Kauai reigning from 1770 - 1794. In some historical reference she has been described as a regent for her sons Keawe and Kaumualii. She was the sovereign of the Island of Kauai at the time Captain James Cook
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
land on the Kauaian shores.
Biography
Kamakahelei was the only daughter of High chief Kaumeheiwa, son of Alii Lonoikahaupu by his wife Kamuo-kaumeheiwa, and his wife, Alii Ka`apuwai, possibly the daughter of Peleioholani, 22nd Alii Aimoku of OahuAlii Aimoku of Oahu
The Alii Aimoku was the sovereign king or queen of one of the four main Hawaiian Islands. The monarchs of island Oahu, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from Wakea. Nanaulu, a fourteenth generation descendant of Wakea was the ancestor of Kumuhonua, 1st known King of Oahu,...
and 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai
Alii Aimoku of Kauai
The Alii Aimoku of Kauai was the sovereign king or queen of the islands of Kauai and Niihau.- Overview :The monarchs of Kauai, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from Wakea and Papa. Nanaulu, a descendant in the fourteenth generation from Wakea, was the ancestor of Moikeha, 1st...
. Is unclear why Kamakahelei succeeded Peleioholani as the Alii of Kauai. Is not certain she was even his granddaughter or even close relative. Peleioholani might have felt remorse for his father Kualii of Oahu who taken the Kauaian throne after a killing the last ruler of the direct line. Her grandfather Lonoikahaupu was five generation in descent from the 13 Alii Aimoku of Kauai, Kalanikukuma.
She first married Kaneoneo, Peleioholani's grandson and the pretender the throne of Oahu of the Kualii
Kualii
Kūalii Kunuiakea Kuikealaikauaokalani, the 19th Alii Aimoku of Oahu and 20th Alii Aimoku of Kauai. He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu and of Kauai. Kūalii is remembered for his famous kanawai, Law of Ni'aupi'o Kolowalu, which required farmers and fishermen to welcome and feed hungry strangers...
line. He had rights to the succession to the lordship of the island of Kauai but it is not known if he ever contended with his wife over the rule of the island. Her husband's father, Kumahana
Kumahana
Kumahana the 23rd Alii Aimoku of Oahu . He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu. -Early life:He was born the son of Peleioholani, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu and 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai, by his first wife Halakii, of Kauaian aristocracy...
, was disposed by the Ewa chiefs who replaced him with Kahahana
Kahahana
Kahahana was the 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu and Alii Aimoku of Molokai. He ruled the island of Oahu and its tributary, the island of Molokai, from 1773 until his death in 1783. He was elected by the Oahu nobility to succeed Kumahana as Moi of Oahu. This was the second king to be elected to succeed...
, the last king of Oahu. She had two daughters with her first husband, Lelemahoalani and Kapuaamohu. Kaneone died during the rebellion on Oahu against Kahekili in the year 1785 or 86.
Kamakahelei's second marriage was to Kaeokulani, a prince of Maui, son of Kahekili II
Kahekili II
Kahekili II, full name Kahekilinuiahumanu, was the twenty fifth King of Maui. His name was short for Kāne-Hekili after the Hawaiian god of thunder. Because Kāne-Hekili was believed to be black on one side, Kahekili tattooed one side of his body from head to foot.-Family:He was born about...
of Maui. Kaumualii
Kaumualii
Kaumualii was the last independent Alii Aimoku of Kauai and Niihau before becoming a vassal of Kamehameha I of the unified Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810...
was the product of her second marriage and so was the union of the island of Niihau
Niihau
Niihau or Niihau is the seventh largest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii, having an area of . Niihau lies southwest of Kauai across the Kaulakahi Channel. Several intermittent playa lakes provide wetland habitats for the Hawaiian Coot, the Black-winged Stilt, and the...
, her husband's domain, and the Island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
.
Successors
After Kamakahelei's death in 1794, her husband Kaeokulani may have briefly taken regency over his son as he did his nephew KalanikupuleKalanikupule
Kalanikūpule was the 27th Mōī of Maui and King of Oahu. He was the last king to physically fight with Kamehameha I over the Hawaiian Islands. Kalanikūpule was the last of the longest line of Alii Aimoku in the Hawaiian Islands.- Early life :...
's inheritance of Maui. Kaeokulani proved unlucky and dies the same year being killed at the Battle of Ku-kii-ahu. ar Kalauao, Oahu December 6, 1794. Her son continued to ruled the kingdom of Kauai independently until he consented in peacefully becoming a vassal of Kamehameha the Great.