What does Kaahumanu mean in Hawaiian?
the solitary
Kaahumanu. Despite the solitary connotation of his name, which means “the solitary”, the great Hawaiian warrior chief Kamehameha never lacked marital companionship.
Why is Kaahumanu important?
She notably worked to overcome taboos placed on women in the traditional religion of the islanders and won a major victory by persuading Kamehameha II to eat publicly with women. She encouraged Protestant missionaries from New England who began arriving in 1820 and learned to read and write with them.
Who was Kamehameha’s favorite wife?
Kaʻahumanu
Kaʻahumanu was one of Kamehameha I’s favorite wives and his most powerful. Upon Kamehameha’s death on May 8, 1819, Kaʻahumanu announced that the late king had desired that she share governance of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi with his 22-year-old son, Liholiho, who took the name Kamehameha II.
How old was Kamehameha when he married Kaahumanu?
When she was about ten years old, her father gave her in marriage to the 30-year-old King Kamehameha.
Why did Kaʻahumanu accept Christianity?
Because according to the Hawaiian religion, a king was to be the manifestation of the gods on earth. Kaahumanu decided to abolish the gods, and later, when the missionaries came, Kaahumanu decided to convert to Christianity because she thought this Christian God would speak directly to her (Silverman p. 2).
Why did Kaahumanu accept Christianity?
What does Kamehameha mean?
The very lonely
The child prince was ordered to be put to death by Alapai but was raised secretly and grew into adulthood, taking the name Kamehameha, meaning “The Very Lonely One” or “The One Set Apart “. When King Kalaniopuu died in 1782, the island of Hawaii was divided between his son, Kiwalao, and his nephew, Kamehameha.
Why did Kamehameha put a kapu on his wife Kaʻahumanu?
The day after Kamehameha’s death, however, Keopuolani took the decisive first step. She ate coconuts forbidden to women and dined with men. Kamehameha had used the kapus to rule with great power, cunning and flexibility.
What was the name of Kuhina Nui?
Kuhina Nui of the Hawaiian Islands
The 1852 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii dedicated an entire section (Section 2) to the office of Kuhina Nui. Articles 43 to 48 described the office: the Kuhina Nui was given the title of “Kuhina Nui of the Hawaiian Islands” and the style of “Highness”.
Who were Kaahumanu’s father and mother?
She was born on March 17, 1768. The current Kaahumanu society celebrates her namesake’s birthday on March 17. His father was Keʻeaumoku Papaʻiahiahi, an aliʻi (noble) fugitive from the island of Hawaiʻi, and his mother was Nāmāhānaikaleleokalani, the wife of his half-brother of the late King of Maui, Kamehameha Nui.
What did Kaahumanu do after Kamehameha’s death?
In May 1819, nine years after successfully uniting the seven major Hawaiian Islands under his leadership, Kamehameha died. Kaahumanu was appointed kuhina nui (regent) and was chosen to convey Kamehameha’s final orders to Liholiho. This great honor means that it was Kaahumanu who installed Liholiho as alii nui (ruling leader).
Who was Kaahumanu’s wife when she conquered Maui?
While Kaahumanu was still a girl, Kamehameha conquered the island of Maui. Keopuolani, woman of the purest bloodlines and holder of the most powerful mana (supernatural force) of all the islands, became the sacred wife of Kamehameha and, according to custom, the future mother of the heirs of her kingdom.
Why were Ka’ahumanu and Keopuolani at the same table?
In what became known as ‘Ai Noa (eating free), Kaʻahumanu conspired with Keōpūolani, another of her late husband’s wives who was also queen regent during the reign of Kamehameha II, to eat at the same table with the young king.
