KEKĀULUOHI BORN–QUEEN CONSORT & KUHINA NUI OF HAWAII
Kekāuluohi, also known as Kaʻahumanu III, was daughter of High Chief Kalaʻimamahu (half-brother of Kamehameha I) & Kalākua Kaheiheimālie of Maui (also a wife of Kamehameha I). Kekāuluohi means “the vigorously growing vine.” In 1809, she became Kamehameha I’s youngest wife. After the king died in 1819, she married her cousin Liholiho (Kamehameha II) who, in 1821, gave her to his friend Charles Kanaʻina in marriage. In 1839, she succeeded half-sister, Kīnaʻu (Kaahumanu II), as Kuhina Nui (co-ruler) with Kamehameha III and signed, with the king, all official documents, conducted all Crown business, oversaw government lands, and served as special Councilor to the king with exclusive veto power over his decisions. Together they signed the first constitution of the Kingdom in 1840. She served in the House of Nobles from its founding. Kekāuluohi, lived in a grass-hut with many chiefs in attendance on her. Her 2nd son, William, became King Lunalilo in 1873. She died in Honolulu, June 7, 1845.
Sources: “Kekāuluohi,” Images of Old Hawaiʻi, 7/27/2016. Retrieved 1/11/2022, Kekāuluohi | Images of Old Hawaiʻi (imagesofoldhawaii.com) Wikipedia Sketch: Alfred Thomas Agate, U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. Public Domain.
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