Kaumualii

Kaumualii (c. 1778 – May 26, 1824), also known as George Kaumualii, was the last independent Alii Aimoku, or king, of the islands of Kauai and Niihau before becoming a vassal of Kamehameha I of the unified Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. He was the 23rd high chief of Kauai reigning from 1794-1810.

Biography

Kaumualii was the only son of Queen Kamakahelei, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Kauai and Niihau, and her husband, Alii Kaeokulani (c. 1754 – 1794), regent of Maui and Molokai. Kaeokulani was himself the younger son of Kekaulike, the 23rd Alii Aimoku and Moi of Maui; he became the co-king and effectual ruler of Kauai by his marriage. When he died in 1794, Kamakahelei passed their titles and positions to the 16-year-old Kaumualii, who reigned under the regency of Chief Inamoo until he came of age. His first wife and queen was his half-sister Kawalu of Oahu, his second his niece Kaapuwai Kapuaamoku of Kōloa, and his ultimate seventh the Hawaiian queen regent Kaahumanu (1768 – 1832), Kamehameha's widow.

Kauai and Niihau had eluded Kamehameha's control since he first tried to add them to his kingdom in 1796, a year after Kaumualii became ali'i nui. At that time the governor of Island of Hawaii led a rebellion against Kamehameha, forcing him to return home. He tried again in 1803, but disease ravaged his armies, and he called a retreat to heal his men and work on his strategy. Over the next years Kamehameha amassed the largest armada Hawaii had ever seen – foreign-built schooners and massive war canoes, armed with cannons and carrying his vast army. Kaumualii decided to negotiate a peaceful resolution rather than resort to bloodshed. The move was supported by Kamehameha as well as the people of Kauai and the foreign sandalwood merchants on the island, whose trade was hurt by the constant feuding. In 1810, Kaumualii became Kamehameha's vassal, and Hawaii was united under one sovereign for the first time. Kaumualii continued to serve as Kamehameha's governor of Kauai.

Kamehameha died in 1819, and the Hawaiians grew fearful that Kaumualii would sever Kauai's relationship with the united Hawaii. Kamehameha's widow Elizabeth Kaahumanu, who exerted much political force in kingdom, kidnapped Kaumualii and forced him into marrying her, ensuring the island chain's union remained unbroken during the reigns of Kamehameha's successors. They remained married until his death in 1824.

Kaumualii was popular both among his people and the foreigners who visited and worked on his islands. Captain George Vancouver, who had given the young king a flock of sheep as a gift, was thanked with a lavish banquet and described his host glowingly. Kaumualii was described as handsome, likeable, and courteous, as well as a capable leader.

Successors

After Kaumualii's death in 1824, his son by a commoner, named Niihau, Prince Keoki Peke Kaumualii Humehume (1797 – 1826), also known as George Tamoree, attempted to re-establish the independence on Kauai, but was also eventually captured and taken to Honolulu. Humehume died of influenza in Honolulu and his only issue was a daughter, by Elizabeth Peke Davis, named Harriet Kawahinekipi Kaumualii. He was succeed by his half-brother Aaron Keali'Iahonui who was also forced to marry Kaahumanu. Kaahumanu would later abandon Keali'Iahonui and embrace Christianity. He later married Princess Anna Keahikuni-i-Kekauonohi the Governess of Maui and Kauai who was the widow of Kamehameha II.

King Kaumualii's granddaughter Alii Kapiolani (1834 – 1899) of Hilo (also known as lady Esther Kapiolani or Julia Kapiolani, eldest daughter of Kaumualii's daughter Princess Kekaulike Kinoiki) married a certain Alii David Kalakaua, postmaster-general of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In 1874, the couple was elected by the Hawaiian legislature as King and Queen of the Hawaiian Islands, starting to reign as king Kalākaua I and Queen Kapiolani. Her youngest sister Princess Victoria Kuhio Kinoike Kekaulike (1843 – 1884) of Hilo was later elevated as Governor of the island of Kauii, Princess and Royal Highness. Her other sister Princess Virginia Kapo'oloku Po'omaikelani (1839 - 1895) succeeded her sister as Governor of the island of Kauii and was made Guardian of the Royal Tombs.

Princess Victoria Kuhio Kinoike Kekaulike progeny are called the House of Kawananakoa and are regarded as "legitimist" claimants to the crown of the now defunct Hawaiian monarchy. Her children included: