Aliʻi nui of Kauai facts for kids
The aliʻi nui of Kauaʻi was the powerful king or queen who ruled the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. These rulers were like the leaders of their own independent kingdoms.
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The Rulers of Kauaʻi
The ancient rulers of Kauaʻi, like other Hawaiian leaders, believed they came from important ancestors. Their family lines were very old and respected. Many people, including the famous Kamehameha family, wanted to connect with these powerful Kauaʻi families. They were known for having the "bluest blood," meaning they were from the most noble and important families.
Over time, the leadership of Kauaʻi changed. The last ruler from the very old Puna family line was Kaweloaikanaka. He was later overthrown by another ruler named Kaweloamaihunalii. After this, the kingdom of Kauaʻi came under the control of Kualii from the island of Oahu.
A Peaceful Agreement
In 1810, a very important event happened. The ruler of Kauaʻi, Kaumualiʻi, made a special agreement with King Kamehameha I of Hawaii. Kamehameha I was uniting all the Hawaiian islands. Kaumualiʻi wanted to avoid a bloody war, so he agreed to join Kamehameha's kingdom peacefully.
The agreement allowed Kaumualiʻi to remain the ruler of Kauaʻi until he died. After his death, his lands would become part of Kamehameha's kingdom.
Changes After Kamehameha
After Kamehameha I passed away, his son, King Kamehameha II, agreed to the same deal. He did not take Kauaʻi's lands right away. However, Kaʻahumanu, a powerful queen regent, was not happy with this. In 1821, she went to Kauaʻi and brought Kaumualiʻi to Honolulu.
After Kaumualiʻi died in 1824, his son, George Kaumualiʻi, tried to make Kauaʻi independent again. But he was also captured and taken to Honolulu. This marked the end of Kauaʻi's long history as an independent kingdom.
Important Rulers of Kauaʻi
Here are some of the known independent rulers of Kauaʻi:
- Moikeha
- Haulanuiaiakea
- Laamaikahiki
- Ahukini-a-Laa
- Kamahano
- Luanuu
- Kukona
- Manokalanipo
- Kamakamano
- Kahakuakane
- Kuwalupaukamoku
- Kahakumakapaweo
- Kalanikukuma
- Kahakumakalina
- Kamakapu
- Kawelomahamahaia
- Kawelomakualua
- Kaweloaikanaka
- Kawelo a Maihunaliʻi (ruled around 1640-1670)
- Kualii (ruled 1670 - 1730)
- Peleioholani (ruled 1730 - 1770)
- Kamakahelei (a female ruler, 1770 - 1794)
- Kaumualiʻi (ruled 1794 - 1810)
