Kaumualii

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

Biography

Kaumualiokinai was the only son of Queen Kamakahelei, 22nd Aliokinai Aimoku of Kauaokinai and Niokinaihau, and her husband, Aliokinai Kaeokulani (c. 1754 – 1794), regent of Maui and Molokaokinai. Kaeokulani was himself the younger son of Kekaulike, the 23rd Aliokinai Aimoku and Mookinai of Maui; he became the co-king and effectual ruler of Kauaokinai by his marriage. When he died in 1794, Kamakahelei passed their titles and positions to the 16-year-old Kaumualiokinai, 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 Hawaiokinaian queen regent Kaokinaahumanu (1768 – 1832), Kamehameha's widow.

Kauaokinai and Niokinaihau had eluded Kamehameha's control since he first tried to add them to his kingdom in 1796, a year after Kaumualiokinai 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 Hawaiokinai had ever seen – foreign-built schooners and massive war canoes, armed with cannons and carrying his vast army. Kaumualiokinai decided to negotiate a peaceful resolution rather than resort to bloodshed. The move was supported by Kamehameha as well as the people of Kauaokinai and the foreign sandalwood merchants on the island, whose trade was hurt by the constant feuding. In 1810, Kaumualii became Kamehameha's vassal, and Hawaiokinai was united under one sovereign for the first time. Kaumualiokinai continued to serve as Kamehameha's governor of Kauaokinai.

Kamehameha died in 1819, and the Hawaiokinaians grew fearful that Kaumualiokinai would sever Kauaokinai's relationship with the united Hawaiokinai. Kamehameha's widow Elizabeth Kaokinaahumanu, who exerted much political force in kingdom, kidnapped Kaumualiokinai 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.

Kaumualiokinai 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.

uccessors

After Kaumualiokinai's death in 1824, his son by a commoner, named Niihau, Prince Keoki Peke Kaumualiokinai Humehume (1797 – 1826), also known as George Tamoree, attempted to re-establish the independence on Kauaokinai, 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 Kaumualiokinai's granddaughter Aliokinai Kapiokinaolani (1834 – 1899) of Hilo (also known as lady Esther Kapiolani or Julia Kapiolani, eldest daughter of Kaumualiokinai's daughter Princess Kekaulike Kinoiki) married a certain Aliokinai David Kalakaua, postmaster-general of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In 1874, the couple was elected by the Hawaiokinaian legislature as King and Queen of the Hawaiokinaian Islands, starting to reign as king Kalākaua I and Queen Kapiokinaolani. Her youngest sister Princess Victoria Kuhio Kinoike Kekaulike (1843 – 1884) of Hilo was later elevated as Governor of the island of Kauiokinai, Princess and Royal Highness. Her other sister Princess Virginia Kapo'oloku Po'omaikelani (1839 - 1895) succeeded her sister as Governor of the island of Kauiokinai 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:
*David Laokinaamea Kahalepouli Kawananakoa (February 19, 1868 – June 2, 1908),
*Edward Abnel Keliokinaiahonui (May 13, 1869 – September 21, 1887)
*Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaokinaole (March 26, 1871 – January 7, 1922)

Only David had issue.

References

* [http://www.coco-palms.com/photos/kaumualii/full/kaumualii_02.jpg"King Kaumualii Profile"] . Historical pamphlet on Kaumualiokinai. From coco-palms.com. Retrieved December 27, 2006.
* [http://www.hawaiianencyclopedia.com/kauai-history.asp Kauai History]