Kamehameha III

Kamehameha III, born Kauikeaouli, was the third monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, reigning from 1825 until his death in 1854. His full Hawaiian name at birth was Keaweaweʻula Kīwalaʻō Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa, which was later lengthened to Keaweaweʻula Kīwalaʻō Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kalani Waiakua Kalanikau Iokikilo Kīwalaʻō i ke kapu Kamehameha upon his ascension to the throne [93]. The name Kauikeaouli translates to "placed in the dark clouds," while Keaweaweʻulaokalani means "the red trail or the roadway by which the god descends from heaven" [100]. His reign, spanning 29 years and 192 days, was the longest of any Hawaiian monarch, a period marked by profound transformation from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one [95].

Born on March 17, 1814, at Keauhou Bay on Hawaiʻi island, Kauikeaouli was the second son of Kamehameha I, the unifier of the Hawaiian Islands, and his highest-ranking wife, Queen Keōpūolani [70] [71] [72] [100]. Early historians debated his birth date, with some suggesting June or July 1814, but March 17, 1814, was officially declared his birthday by the Privy Council in 1846 [100]. He was of the highest kapu (sacred) lineage. At birth, he was initially thought to be stillborn, but Chief Kaikioʻewa, guided by his prophet Kapihe, intervened, and Kauikeaouli was revived through traditional Hawaiian practices [100]. He was subsequently given to Kaikioʻewa to raise [100]. His early life was characterized by a tension between the traditional Hawaiian customs and the strict Puritan Christian guidelines introduced by missionaries and enforced by his stepmother and kuhina nui (Queen Regent), Kaʻahumanu [102]. He briefly rebelled against his Christian upbringing under the influence of Oʻahu's governor Boki and a young Hawaiian-Tahitian former priest named Kaomi [102].

Kamehameha III ascended to the throne in 1825 at the age of eleven, following the death of his elder brother, Kamehameha II. Due to his youth, the early years of his reign were under the regency of Queen Kaʻahumanu I, and later Kaʻahumanu II (Kīnaʻu) [95]. This period saw significant changes in the kingdom, including the continued decline of the native Hawaiian population due to epidemics, which halved the population during his reign [107]. In terms of family, Kamehameha III had a deep affection for his sister Nāhiʻenaʻena and had intended to marry her, a practice common in ancient Hawaiian royalty to preserve pure bloodlines, but this was opposed by missionaries [113]. He later married Kalama Hakaleleponi Kapakuhaili on February 14, 1837, after his sister's death [115]. They had two children, Prince Keaweaweʻulaokalani I and Prince Keaweaweʻulaokalani II, both of whom died in infancy [115]. He also had two illegitimate sons with his mistress Jane Lahilahi: Kīwalaʻō, who died young, and Albert Kūnuiākea, who was later adopted by Kamehameha III and Queen Kalama [115].

His political reign was transformative. Under the guidance of advisors like William Richards, a former missionary, Kamehameha III initiated the development of Hawaii's first formal written laws [119] [121]. This began with the Declaration of Human Rights in 1839, followed by the Constitution of 1840, which established judicial and executive branches of government and laid the groundwork for a system of land ownership [121]. The 1840 Constitution was notable for being the first Hawaiian Language Constitution [95]. These foundational laws, along with others enacted between 1840 and 1842, were collectively known as the Kumu Kānāwai, or "foundation of law," based on indigenous traditions, existing laws, and Christian principles [121]. The capital was moved from Lahaina to Honolulu during his reign [123].

A pivotal moment in his reign was the Paulet affair in 1843, where British Captain Lord George Paulet coerced Kamehameha III into ceding the Hawaiian Kingdom to the British Crown [129]. Kamehameha III, however, appealed to London, leading to the restoration of Hawaiian independence on July 31, 1843. On this day, he famously uttered the phrase, "Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono" ("the sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), which became the state motto [129]. This event was celebrated as Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Sovereignty Restoration Day), a national holiday [129]. Later that year, on November 28, Britain and France officially recognized the independence of the Hawaiian Kingdom, establishing Lā Kūʻokoʻa (Independence Day) as another national holiday [129].

Government reforms continued through the 1840s, with the establishment of a formal legislature, including a House of Nobles and an elected House of Representatives, marking a shift towards a more democratic government [133] [139]. The Great Mahele of 1848 was a significant land reform that redistributed land among the government, the king, nobles, and commoners, and for the first time, allowed foreigners to own land fee simple [137]. This reform, while intended to modernize land tenure, also led to many commoners losing their traditional land rights [137]. The Constitution of 1852 further liberalized politics, unifying the court system and strengthening the role of the House of Representatives [139].

Kamehameha III died suddenly on December 15, 1854, at the age of 40, possibly due to a stroke [73] [155]. He was initially buried in Honolulu and later reinterred in the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii, Mauna ʻAla, in 1865 [76] [161]. His legacy is one of immense progress and liberty. His successor, Kamehameha IV, described his reign as "that of progress and of liberty—of schools and of civilization. He gave us a Constitution and fixed laws; he secured the people in the title to their lands, and removed the last chain of oppression" [169]. Today, he is remembered for his pivotal role in transitioning Hawaii into a recognized, sovereign nation and for his efforts to balance modernization with the preservation of Hawaiian culture. A 12-foot bronze statue of Kamehameha III was unveiled at Thomas Square in 2018, commemorating the 175th anniversary of the restoration of Hawaiian sovereignty [171]. The Kamehameha III Road at Keauhou Bay also marks his birthplace.