Miriam Auhea Kalani Kui Kawakiu o Kekāuluohi Kealiʻiuhiwaihanau o Kalani Makahonua Ahilapalapa Kai Wikapu o Kaleilei a Kalakua

Miriam Auhea Kalani Kui Kawakiu o Kekāuluohi Kealiʻiuhiwaihanau o Kalani Makahonua Ahilapalapa Kai Wikapu o Kaleilei a Kalakua, also known as Kaʻahumanu III, was a significant figure in the Hawaiian Kingdom. Born on February 27, 1794, in Keauhou, Hawaii, she was the only daughter of High Chief Kalaʻimamahu, who was a half-brother of Kamehameha I, and Kalākua Kaheiheimālie of Maui. Her mother was also a wife of Kamehameha I, making Kekāuluohi a step-daughter of the Kingdom's founder and a niece through her father. She was also a half-sister to Kamāmalu and Kīnaʻu. The name Kekāuluohi, in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Native Hawaiian language), means "the vigorously growing vine." She later adopted the secondary name Auhea, meaning "Where, oh where," in memory of Kamehameha I after his death in 1819.

Kekāuluohi's early life was marked by traditional Hawaiian customs, including being _hānai_ (adopted) by her grandparents Namahana and Keʻeaumoku. Her grandparents cherished her, likening her to "a feather lei from the precious mamo bird." She was betrothed at birth to a prince of the Tahitian Pōmare Dynasty, but this marriage never materialized due to the prince's early death. In 1809, she was chosen by Kamehameha I, along with Manono II, to "warm his old age." After Kamehameha I's passing, she married her cousin Liholiho, who ascended to the throne as King Kamehameha II, becoming one of his five consorts. This marriage did not produce any children. In 1821, Kamehameha II gave her in marriage to his friend Charles Kanaʻina on Kauaʻi.

Her political career began in earnest with her appointment as Kuhina Nui (Premier) of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Following the death of Kīnaʻu (Kaʻahumanu II) on April 4, 1839, Kekāuluohi was initiated into office the very next day. Although Kīnaʻu's daughter, Victoria Kamāmalu, was of higher rank and the rightful heir to the premiership, Kekāuluohi was chosen due to Victoria's young age. As Kuhina Nui, Kekāuluohi held immense power and responsibility. She co-signed all official documents with the king, conducted all executive business pertaining to the Crown, managed government lands, and served as a special Councilor to the king, possessing exclusive veto power over his decisions. Her tenure as Kuhina Nui saw a pivotal moment in Hawaiian history: she and Kamehameha III signed the first constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1840. This constitution was a landmark document, providing for an elected representative body and marking a significant step towards the common people gaining political power. It also formally codified the responsibilities and authority of the Kuhina Nui. She served in the House of Nobles from its inception and held both positions until her death.

With Charles Kanaʻina, Kekāuluohi had two sons. Their first son, Davida, died young. Her second son, born on January 31, 1835, was named William Charles. During the naming ceremony, his mother chanted, "I luna, i luna, i lunalilo, the highest, the highest, the highest of all," which led to him being known as Lunalilo. He would later become King Lunalilo of Hawaii in 1873. Kekāuluohi passed away from influenza on June 7, 1845, at Pohukaina, Honolulu, at the age of 50. She was initially interred in the Pohukaina Tomb, located on the grounds of ʻIolani Palace. However, her remains were not among those transferred in 1865 to the newly constructed Royal Mausoleum at Mauna ʻAla in the Nuʻuanu Valley. The reason for this omission remains unclear, but her son, Lunalilo, deeply indignant, refused to bury his mother at the Royal Mausoleum and instead arranged for her remains to be buried at sea. Her father's lineage continues to this day through the descendants of her cousin and namesake, Miriam Auhea Kekāuluohi Crowningburg.

Kekāuluohi's legacy is primarily tied to her crucial role as Kuhina Nui and her involvement in the establishment of the Hawaiian Kingdom's first constitution. Her political acumen and dedication to the welfare of her people helped shape the nascent Hawaiian government. She is remembered for her strength and influence during a transitional period in Hawaiian history. Today, a girl's dormitory at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus is named in her honor, a testament to her enduring impact on Hawaiian education and culture. Her life exemplifies the complex interplay of traditional Hawaiian society and the emerging modern political structures of the Kingdom. Her contributions to the legal framework of the Hawaiian Kingdom, particularly the 1840 Constitution, laid foundational elements for future governance and the assertion of Hawaiian sovereignty. The story of her burial at sea, at her son Lunalilo's insistence, further underscores the deep personal connections and cultural significance within the Aliʻi class, even amidst political changes. Her life and actions continue to be studied as integral to understanding the evolution of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Her full name, Miriam Auhea Kalani Kui Kawakiu o Kekāuluohi Kealiʻiuhiwaihanau o Kalani Makahonua Ahilapalapa Kai Wikapu o Kaleilei a Kalakua, reflects her high lineage and the intricate naming conventions of Hawaiian royalty. Her role as a queen consort to two Kamehameha kings and mother to a future monarch solidified her position within the royal family and her influence on the succession and stability of the Kingdom. Her unwavering commitment to her duties as Kuhina Nui, especially during the formative years of the constitutional monarchy, highlights her dedication to the Hawaiian people and their self-governance. The phrase "the vigorously growing vine" from her name's meaning aptly symbolizes her resilience and growth in a period of significant change for the Hawaiian Kingdom.