In 1779, Kamakahelei (unknown – 1794), who was a chiefess of the highest ali‘i rank, a descendent of the earliest rulers of O‘ahu, and the hereditary ruling chief of Kaua‘i, married Kaeokulani, her second husband and a high chief of
In 1779, Kamakahelei (unknown – 1794), who was a chiefess of the highest ali‘i rank, a descendent of the earliest rulers of O‘ahu, and the hereditary ruling chief of Kaua‘i, married Kaeokulani, her second husband and a high chief of Maui.
Shortly thereafter in that same year, Kamakahelei and her new husband became king and queen of Kaua‘i by leading a revolt that deposed King Kaneoneo, Kamakahelei’s first husband.
Also in 1779, Kamakahelei placed Keawe, her young son by Kaneoneo, on the throne.
But, when Kaumuali‘i (1780 – 1824), her son from Kaeokulani, was born in the following year, Kaeokulani replaced Keawe with Kaumuali‘i, and then became regent for Kaumuali‘i.
William Ellis, Capt. James Cook’s surgeon, described Kamakahelei as “short and lusty … and very plain with respect to person,” which is in contrast to historian Samuel Kamakau’s description of her son, Kaumuali‘i.
Kamakau wrote of Kaumuali‘i, who would become Kaua‘i’s last king, as being “a handsome man, light in complexion and with a nose and general features like a white man’s. He was rather light in build, but he had a good carriage.”
Kamakahelei was also believed to possess a secret, most powerful and sacred prayer, greatly feared throughout Hawai‘i, called the “Aneekapuahi,” which could cause an enemy’s immediate incineration.
In 1794, the year Kamakahelei died and Kaeokulani was killed fighting against Kamehameha I in battle on O‘ahu, Kaumuali‘i and a chief named Inamoo were acting as Kaeokulani’s regents on Kaua‘i in his absence.
Two years later, a civil war was fought between the forces of Kaumuali‘i and Keawe, with Keawe being victorious.
Keawe then placed Kaumuali‘i under house arrest, but when Keawe died about a year later, 16-year-old Kaumuali‘i was restored to the throne.
