JULY 8, 1824

KAMAMALU DIED–QUEEN CONSORT TO HAWAIIAN KAMEHAMEA II DIED IN ENGLAND

Born around 1803, in Kawaihaie, Kamamalu, daughter of Kamehameha I the Great, married her half-brother Liholilo (Kamehameha II), when she was a teen. Her name, short for Kamehamalu, meant “the Shade of the Lonely One.” “The Lonely One” referred to her father. Noted for intelligence and beauty, she was described as “Amazonian” by the Reverend Hiram Bingham one of the first missionaries arriving in Hawaii in 1820. Kamamalu, who read and wrote both in English and Hawaiian, was also “a woman of business,” overseeing the vast collection of gifts brought to the king as taxes. Known as a gracious host, she was particularly solicitous of the queen mother Keopuolani during final illness. In late 1823, Kamamalu traveled with Liholilo to England. The Royal Party arrived in May of 1824. While there, one of the chiefs in the Royal Party contracted measles for which the Hawaiians had no immunity. All in the party became ill. The queen died on July 8; the king on July 14.

Sources:

“Kamamalu (c. 1803–1824),” Encyclopedia.com.   Retrieved 4/28/2023, Kamamalu (c. 1803–1824) | Encyclopedia.com

Wikipedia

Painting:  John Hayter (1800-1895), 6/1824.  Public Domain.