Kamakahelei (c. 18th century - 1794), was the 22nd alii nui, or High Chiefess regnant, of the island of

Kauai Kauai (), anglicized as Kauai ( or ), is one of the main Hawaiian Islands. It has an area of 562.3 square miles (1,456.4 km2), making it the fourth-largest of the islands and the 21st-largest island in the United States. Kauai lies 73 m ...

. She was the ruling chiefess of Kauai from 1770 - 1794. In some historical references she has been described as a regent for her sons Keawe and Kaumualii.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 Captain (Royal Navy), Captain James Cook (7 November 1728 – 14 February 1779) was a British Royal Navy officer, explorer, and cartographer famous for his three voyages of exploration to the Pacific and Southern Oceans, conducted between 176 ...

landed on its shores. The Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in the district of Puhi is named after her. This school serves the Kalaheo to Hanamaulu districts on the island of

Biography

Kamakahelei was one of three daughters of High Chief Kaumeheiwa, the son of High Chief Lonoikahaupu and High Chiefess consort Kamuokaumeheiwa, and his wife, High Chiefess consort Kaapuwai, possibly the daughter of

Peleioholani Peleioholani (1690–1770) was a Hawaiian High Chief, the 21st Alii nui of Kauai and the 25th Alii nui of Oahu. He ruled an empire stretching from Niihau to Molokai. According to ancient traditions, Peleʻioholani was a descendant of Hema and ...

, Alii nui of Oahu and Alii nui of Kauai. According to tradition, her grandfather Lonoikahaupu was five generations in descent from the 13th ''Alii Aimoku'' of Kauai, Kalanikukuma. His family had traditionally ruled in Waimea and the south-western section of the island, although always in subordination to the elder line of Kauaian chiefs. It is unclear why Kamakahelei succeeded Peleioholani as the ''Alii'' of Kauai. It is not certain that she was his granddaughter or a close relative. The legends remain silent between the transaction of rule between the two dynasties. She first married Kaneoneo, Peleioholani's grandson and the pretender to the throne of Oahu of the Kūalii line. He had rights to the succession to Kauai, but it is not known if he contended with his wife over the rule of the island. Kaneoneo's father, Kūmahana, was deposed by the Ewa chiefs, who replaced him with Kahahana. The latter was the last chief of Oahu. She and her first husband had two daughters: Lelemahoalani and Kapuaamohu. Kaneoneo died during the rebellion on Oahu against Maui chief

Kahekili II Kahekili II, full name Kahekilinuiʻahumanu, (–1794) was an () of Maui. His name was short for Kāne-Hekili after the Hawaiian god of thunder. Because Kāne-Hekili was believed to be black on one side, Kahekili tattooed one side of his body fr ...

in the year 1785 or 86. Kamakahelei next married Kāʻeokūlani, a prince of

Maui Maui (; Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ) is the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, at 727.2 square miles (1,883 km2). It is the List of islands of the United States by area, 17th-largest in the United States. Maui is one of ...

and brother of Kahekili II. They had a son Kaumualii. Together they united rule of the island of

Niihau Niihau (Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ), anglicized as Niihau ( ), is the seventh largest island in Hawaii and the westernmost of the main islands. It is southwest of Kauai, Kauai across the Channels of the Hawaiian Islands#Kaulakahi Channel, Ka ...

, her husband's domain, and the island of

Successors

After Kamakahelei's death in 1794, her husband Kāʻeokūlani may have briefly taken regency over his son as he did his nephew

Kalanikūpule Kalanikūpule (c. 1760–1795) was the Mōī of Maui and King of Oahu. He was the last king to engage in combat with Kamehameha I over the Hawaiian Islands. Kalanikūpule was the last of the longest line of '' aliʻi nui'' in the Hawaiian Islands. ...

's inheritance of Maui. Kāʻeokūlani died the same year, killed at the Battle of Kukiiahu, at Kalauao, Oahu on December 12, 1794. Her son Kaumualii continued to ruled the kingdom of Kauai independently until he consented to becoming a vassal of

Kamehameha the Great Kamehameha I (; Kalani Paiʻea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiʻikui Kamehameha o ʻIolani i Kaiwikapu kauʻi Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea; to May 8 or 14, 1819), also known as Kamehameha the Great, was the conqueror and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii ...

References

{{s-end 1794 deaths Niihau Royalty of Kauai and Niihau Year of birth uncertain Hawaiian queens regnant 18th-century monarchs in Oceania 18th-century women rulers