Kaahumanu II
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Elizabeth Kīnaʻu | |
|---|---|
| Queen Consort of the Hawaiian Islands, Princess of the Hawaiian Islands, Kuhina Nui of the Hawaiian Islands | |
 |
|
|
|
|
| Tenure | 1819-1824 |
|
|
|
| Tenure | 5 June 1832 – 17 March 1833 (0 years, 285 days) |
| Predecessor | Kaʻahumanu |
| Successor | Kaʻahumanu III |
|
|
|
| Tenure | 5 June 1832 – 4 April 1839 (6 years, 303 days) |
| Predecessor | Kaʻahumanu |
| Successor | Kaʻahumanu III |
| Spouse | Kamehameha II Prince Kahalaia Luanuʻu Governor Mataio Kekuanaoa of Oʻahu |
| Issue | |
| David Kamehameha Prince Moses Kekuaiwa Lot Kapuaiwa, King Kamehameha V Alexander Liholiho, King Kamehameha IV Princess Victoria Kamamalu Kaʻahumanu IV |
|
| Full name | |
| Kalani Ahumanu i Kaliko o Iwi Kauhipua o Kīnaʻu, Elizabeth Kīnaʻu Kaʻahumanu II | |
| Father | High Chief Mataio Kekuanaoa |
| Mother | Queen Miriam Kalakua Kaheiheimaile |
| Born | c. 1805 Waikiki, O'ahu |
| Died | 4 April 1839 (aged 33-34) Honolulu, O'ahu |
| Burial | Mauna Ala Royal Mausoleum |
Princess Kalani Ahumanu i Kaliko o Iwi Kauhipua o Kīnaʻu, also known as Kaʻahumanu II or Elizabeth Kīnaʻu (c. 1805–4 April 1839) was Kuhina Nui of the Hawaiian Islands, Queen regent and Dowager Queen.
Her father was King Kamehameha I and mother was his sixth wife Kalākua Kaheiheimālie, born probably in the year 1805 or 1807.
Princess Kīnaʻu was first married to her half brother Liholiho (1797-1824) who ascended in 1819 as King Kamehameha II. In 1824, quite young, she became Dowager Queen when her husband and brother died in London together with his favorite wife (her sister) Queen Kamamalu.
Her second husband was prince Kahalaia Luanuʻu, a grandson of Kamehameha I, who died in 1826. To her second husband she bore a son, prince David Kamehameha, in 1825, who however died young. Her third husband was Prince Mataio Kekuanaoʻa (1791-1868), from 1827. Kekuanaoʻa was Governor of Oahu 1834-68.[1] To him she bore three sons: Moses (1829-1848), Lot, and Alexander and one daughter Victoria. Everyone of them except Moses live to adulthood and would leave a mark in Hawaiian history.
She became the Kuhina Nui (prime minister) as Kaʻahumanu II 5 June 1832 when Queen Kaʻahumanu died. She acted as the Regent for her brother King Kamehameha III, from 5 June 1832 to 17 March 1833. She would rule alongside him as kuhina-nui until her death. She was responsible for enforcing Hawaii’s first penal code, proclaimed by the King in 1835. She adopted Protestant Christianity like many of the chiefs and chiefesses. She persecuted many of the Catholic missionaries and tried to expel the French Jesuit Priests which would later lead into diplomatic troubles with France.
During the early years of Kauikeaouli, he was seen to be indifferent to his duties as king and spend his time pursuing leisure instead of ruling, according to the missionaries. She felt she had to take full duty of a monarch, but soon became disheartended and at legnth came to Mrs. Judd, the wife of Gerrit P. Judd, and said: "I am in sore straits and heavy hearted, and I have come to tell you my thought. I am quite discouraged and cannot bear this burden any longer. I wish to throw away my rank and title and responsibility together, bring my family here, and live with you;or, we will take our families and go away together." Mrs. Judd referred her to the story of Esther, and pointed out to her that she must be strong and accept the responsibility of Regent of the nation for the sake of her people.[2]
Kīnaʻu and Kauikeaouli argued over how best to rule. Kīnaʻu favored the missionary ways and was not tolerant of other religions like Kaahumanu. She strengthened the land tenure laws by written and official proclamation. Kauikeaouli resented the lessened power of the king who no longer had sole power or could give and take land at will. He wanted the old ways for his people. Eventually they resolved their differences and formed a new government. Now there was a King, a Kuhina Nui, and a Counsel of Chiefs.
Her two sons ascended as kings of Hawaii as Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V. Her only daughter Victoria Kamamalu became Kuhina Nui as Kaahumanu IV.
Also her widower, prince Kekuanaoʻa, became Kuhina Nui (1863- 24 August 1864) and was the last holder of that position, it becoming dissolved by the 1864 constitution.
She died of the mumps at Honolulu, Oʻahu on April 4, 1839.
[edit] References
- ^ "Kīnaʻu". Centennial Exhibit. State of Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services. http://hawaii.gov/dags/archives/centennial/kina-u. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
- ^ The Memoirs of Hon. Bernice Pauahi Bishop By Mary Hannah Krout, Page 18
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008) |
| Royal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Queen Kaahumanu |
Queen Regent of Hawaiʻi 5 June 1832 – 17 March 1833 |
Succeeded by none |
| Preceded by Queen Kaahumanu |
Kuhina Nui of the Hawaiian Islands 5 June 1832 – 4 April 1839 |
Succeeded by Kaahumanu III |
