Kaahumanu
Kaahumanu was a prominent figure in early 19th-century Hawaiian history, known for her influential role as the favorite wife of King Kamehameha I and as the first kuhina nui (premier or co-ruler) of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Born into the Hawaiian alii (royalty) class, she was instrumental in preserving the unity of Hawaii following Kamehameha's death and was a key player in the transition of the islands amidst increasing foreign influence. Kaahumanu is particularly noted for her leadership in dismantling the kapu system, which placed restrictions on women, thereby promoting greater freedoms and rights for Hawaiian women.
Her political acumen extended to her collaboration with American missionaries, which facilitated the introduction of Western education and religion to the islands. Kaahumanu supported the establishment of schools and the development of the Hawaiian alphabet, while also instituting a legal code based on Christian ethics, which introduced trial by jury and outlawed various crimes. She strengthened Hawaii’s international standing through diplomatic engagements and treaties, notably with the United States.
Kaahumanu's legacy is marked by her ability to blend Hawaiian and Western customs, fostering social, educational, and political advancements that significantly impacted the lives of Native Hawaiians. She left an enduring mark on the culture and governance of Hawaii before her death in 1832.
Kaahumanu
- Born: c. 1768
- Birthplace: Hana, Hawaii
- Died: June 5, 1832
- Place of death: Manoa, Hawaii
Hawaiian queen, religious leader, and feminist
Kaahumanu was the strongest political leader in early nineteenth-century Hawaiian history after her husband, King Kamehameha I. From 1819 to 1832, she coruled with her son, Kamehameha II. She later gained the additional title of queen regent of the Hawaiian Islands (1823–32), effecting progressive policies and safeguarding Hawaii’s sovereignty and independence.
Born: March 17, 1768; Hana, Maui
Died: June 5, 1832; Honolulu, Hawaii
Full name: Elizabeth Kaahumanu (ka-AH-hoo-MAH-noo)
Areas of achievement: Government and politics, social issues, women’s rights
Early Life
Kaahumanu was born to the Hawaiian warrior Keeaumoku Papaiahiahi and his wife Namahanai Kaleleokalani, widow of the king of Maui. They were both members of the ancient Hawaiian alii (royalty) class. Kaahumanu grew up within the islands’ power circles and became the favorite wife of King Kamehameha I in her teens. She was his confidante during his wars of island unification, and upon his death, she created the position of kuhina nui (premier or coruler) with the youthful heir Kamehameha II.
Kaahumanu preserved the unified Kingdom of Hawaii, following Kamehameha’s wishes in a time of transition that saw the deepening of foreign economic and social influence on Hawaii. Kaahumanu’s political leadership extended to breaking the kapu (forbidden or sacred) system that, among other things, prevented women from eating certain foods or eating in the company of men; for example, she initiated ai noa (free eating). In promoting greater freedoms for Hawaiian women she collaborated with Keopuolani, the mother of Kamehameha II, persuading the young king to share meals publicly with the women. Kaahumanu strengthened her political position against the old taboos that restricted women’s role in governance councils. In November 1819, Kaahumanu and the young king decreed that the old Hawaiian religion was over and the temples and images of former gods should be burned, thus creating a religious vacuum that would be filled by Christian missionaries arriving in 1820.
Life’s Work
In 1823, Kamehameha II traveled to England with his wife Kamamalu, after naming the king’s younger brother, Kauikeaouli, as his designated heir and Kaahumanu as ruling regent on his behalf. The monarchs contracted measles and died in London. These circumstances further elevated Kaahumanu’s influence, who now ruled Hawaii as both kuhina nui and queen regent for Kauikeaouli. Kaahumanu collaborated with US missionaries Hiram and Sybil Bingham, whom she allowed to preach and educate Native Hawaiians beginning in March 1820. She cooperated with Sybil Bingham to open the first school for Hawaiian girls. As kuhina nui, Kaahumanu allowed the missionaries to stay in Hawaii, providing land for their residences and for Kawaiahao Church in Honolulu. She also arranged for them to have a summer retreat in Manoa Valley, called the Punahou Tract, which later became Punahou School in 1841. Hiram Bingham, encouraged by Kaahumanu, developed the Hawaiian alphabet to teach Hawaiians in their own language, translated parts of the Bible into Hawaiian, and composed native hymns. Kaahumanu was baptized in 1825 and learned to read and write English. The American missionaries collaborated with Kaahumanu in safeguarding the Hawaiian Islands’ independence. In return, Kaahumanu supported their religious endeavors and favored the New England Congregationalists over other denominations such as Roman Catholics, whom she banished in 1831.
Kaahumanu based her law code of 1824 on Christian ethics. The code established the observance of the Sabbath, provided for the construction of schools so that all Hawaiians could learn writing, and outlawed murder, theft, and civil disobedience. In 1825, Kaahumanu instituted trial by jury and followed Western rules of jurisprudence. Kaahumanu herself held court over serious crimes, impaneling a court of twelve high chiefs over which she presided and guided judicial procedures.
In 1821, the widowed Kaahumanu entered into a diplomatic marriage with the king of Kauai, Kaumualii, and briefly also with his son and heir, Kealiiahonui, although she later gave up Kealiiahonui because of her increasing sensitivity to Christian ethics. When Kaumualii died in 1824, Kaahumanu faced an insurrection seeking independence for Kauai, but she put down this secessionist rebellion and appointed a chief, Kaikioewa, to govern Kauai. Kaahumanu was generous in her tax levies, allowed abundance to flourish, and won Native Hawaiian support for her programs for progressive change. She also made headway in international diplomacy by negotiating a commercial treaty with US Navy officer Captain Thomas ap Catesby Jones in 1826. Hawaii agreed to pay its past debts and to allow Americans free trade and justice in Hawaiian courts.
Shortly before Kaahumanu’s death in 1832, the New Testament was printed and circulated in the Hawaiian language. Kaahumanu died at her Manoa estate, was buried in Honolulu’s royal tombs, and was later reburied in the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu Valley.
Significance
Kaahumanu maintained Hawaii’s cohesiveness as a unified monarchy during turbulent times in the early nineteenth century, forming alliances with chiefs, missionaries, and foreign emissaries to create an independent position for the Hawaiian Islands. Wise and beneficent, Kaahumanu brought about governmental, judicial, religious, social, and educational change that greatly affected Hawaiians’ lives. Kaahumanu amalgamated the best qualities from Hawaiian and Western societies, empowering and ennobling her people and broadening Hawaii’s opportunities in trade and diplomacy.
Bibliography
Allen, Gwenfread E. “Kaahumanu.” Notable Women of Hawaii. Ed. Barbara Bennett Peterson. Honolulu: U of Hawaii P, 1984. Print. Provides an overview of the interpersonal and social dynamics, leadership qualities, and responsibilities of Kaahumanu.
Desha, Stephen. Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekuhaupio. Trans. Frances N. Frazier. Honolulu: Kamehameha Schools P, 2000. Print. Discusses the royal policies and family relationships that influenced Kaahumanu.
Peterson, Barbara Bennett. “Kaahumanu.” American National Biography. Ed. John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes. New York: Oxford UP, 2000. Print. Presents an account of Kaahumanu’s life, focusing on early political changes enacted during her rule.
Silverman, Jane L. Kaahumanu: Molder of Change. Honolulu: Friends of the Judiciary History Center of Hawaii, 1987. Print. Discusses the social and judicial changes crafted by Kaahumanu.