JUNE 6, 1825

KAUIKEAOULI ASCENDS HAWAIIAN THRONE AS KAMEHAMEHA III

Born March 17, 1814* on the island of Hawai’i, to Kamehameha I & Queen Keōpūolani, Kauikealouli’s name meant “Placed in the Dark Clouds.” He assumed the throne at age 10 after his brother, Liholilo (Kamehameha II), died from measles in England, but was under Queen Consort Ka’ahumanu’s Regency until her death in 1832. Upon taking power, Kamehameha III quickly spurned the Hawaiian system of common law consisting of ancient kapu (taboos) and traditional practices. In 1839, he promulgated both the Declaration of Rights (Hawaii’s Magna Carta) and Edict of Toleration. In 1840 he proposed the Constitution of 1840 limiting the king’s powers by establishing an elected legislature and supreme court. In 1842, a written compilation of laws was published. By 1843, he obtained diplomatic recognition of Hawaiian independence by the U.S., Great Britain & France. His commission to Quiet Land Titles led to the Great Mahele (land redistribution) of 1848. Kamehameha III died December 15, 1854, in Honolulu.

Source: 

“Political History,” The Hawaiian Kingdom.  Retrieved 7/2/2019, https://www.hawaiiankingdom.org/political-history.shtml 

“Kamehameha III: Hawaiian Monarch, Reformer, Statesman,” Britannica.  Retrieved 10/26/2023, Kamehameha III | Hawaiian Monarch, Reformer, Statesman | Britannica

Wikipedia

Portrait:  Alfred Thomas Agate (1812-1846), between 1836-1842.  Public Domain.

*  This date is generally accepted, but subject to question by other sources.