Kamakahelei

Kamakahelei (c. 18th century - 1794, was Aliokinai Aimoku, or Queen regnant, of the islands of Kauaokinai. She was the 22nd ruling chiefess of Kauaokinai 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 In some historical reference she has been described as a regent for her sons Keawe and Kaumualii.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. [ [http://www.hawaiian-roots.com/kalakaua.htm Kalakaua ] ]

Biography

Kamakahelei was the only daughter of High chief Kaumeheiwa, son of Alii Lonoikahaupu by his wife Kamuo-kaumeheiwa, and his wife, lii Ka'apuwai, possibly the daughter of Peleioholani, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu 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. [Abraham Fornander, An Account of the Polynesian Race: Its Origin and Migrations, Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1969.Page 297-298]

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. [ [http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Hawaii/kauai.htm KAUAI ] ]

uccessors

After Kamakahelei's death in 1794, her husband Kaeokulani may have briefly taken regency over his son as he did his nephew Kalanikupule'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. [ [http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Hawaii/kauai.htm KAUAI ] ]

References