Kumahana
Encyclopedia
Kumahana the 23rd Alii Aimoku of Oahu
(1770-1773). He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu
.
, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu
and 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai
, by his first wife Halakii, of Kauaian aristocracy
. His full sisters were Kaapuwai and Keelaniihonuaiakama, his half sister was Kapueo, and a brother Keeumoku, of whom nothing further is known.
s, and commoner
s to such a degree that, after enduring his rule for three years he was formally deposed from his office as Moi by the chiefs of Oahu in council assembled. According to legends, his offenses were that he slept late, was stingy, penurious, deaf to the advice of others and used to take himself off to the plains to shoot rats. So thoroughly had he succeeded during his short imcumbency of office, to make himself hated, that, in an age so peculiarly prone to factions, not a voice was heard nor a spear was raised in his defence. It was one of those few bloodless revolutions that leave no stain on the pages of history. There was no anger to appease, no vengeance to extract, it was simply a political act for prudential reasons. His desposition atoned for his incompetency.
Though Kumahana had grown-up children at the time, yet the Oahu nobles passed them by in selecting a successor to the throne, and fixed their eyes on young Kahahana
, the son of Elani, one of the powerful Ewa chiefs of the Maweke
Lakona
line, and on his mother's side closely related to Kahekili II
and the grandson of Kualii
making him Kumahana's cousin.
Kumahana and his family were freely allowed to depart for Kauai
, where they found refuge among their kindred in Waimea
. We know that Kumahana, was desposed after three years' reign and that he was permitted to return with his family to Kauai, where probably he still held lands from which to maintain himself. But it has never been asserted on his behalf, and nowhere is it intimated, that Kumahana ever was, or was considered to be, the Moi of Kauai as his father was, or his grandfather Kualii
before him. A farther confirmation of the above proposition may be advanced from the well-known fact that Kamakahelei
's first husband was Kaneoneo. Some give Kumahana's death as 1773 but that was the day of his overthrow and not the day of his death.
, the sovereign chiefess of Kauai and Kumahana's niece by his reputed sister Kaapuwai. His son was killed in a fruitless attempt to recover the kingdom of Oahu by joining the insurgent chiefs under Kahekili's iron rule.
Alii Aimoku of Oahu
The Alii Aimoku was the sovereign king or queen of one of the four main Hawaiian Islands. The monarchs of island Oahu, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from Wakea. Nanaulu, a fourteenth generation descendant of Wakea was the ancestor of Kumuhonua, 1st known King of Oahu,...
(1770-1773). He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
.
Early life
He was born the son of PeleioholaniPeleioholani
Peleioholani 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai and 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu. He ruled as titular King or chieftain of Kauai, Oahu and held tributary over Molokai after he conquered that island and slew the Molokaian chiefs. Sometimes called Peleiholani...
, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu
Alii Aimoku of Oahu
The Alii Aimoku was the sovereign king or queen of one of the four main Hawaiian Islands. The monarchs of island Oahu, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from Wakea. Nanaulu, a fourteenth generation descendant of Wakea was the ancestor of Kumuhonua, 1st known King of Oahu,...
and 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai
Alii Aimoku of Kauai
The Alii Aimoku of Kauai was the sovereign king or queen of the islands of Kauai and Niihau.- Overview :The monarchs of Kauai, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from Wakea and Papa. Nanaulu, a descendant in the fourteenth generation from Wakea, was the ancestor of Moikeha, 1st...
, by his first wife Halakii, of Kauaian aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
. His full sisters were Kaapuwai and Keelaniihonuaiakama, his half sister was Kapueo, and a brother Keeumoku, of whom nothing further is known.
Reign
Kumahana followed his father as Moi of Oahu. He appears to have been an indolent, penurious, unlovable chief, and for these or other reasons incurred the illwill and estranged the loyalty of the chiefs, priestPriest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s, and commoner
Commoner
In British law, a commoner is someone who is neither the Sovereign nor a peer. Therefore, any member of the Royal Family who is not a peer, such as Prince Harry of Wales or Anne, Princess Royal, is a commoner, as is any member of a peer's family, including someone who holds only a courtesy title,...
s to such a degree that, after enduring his rule for three years he was formally deposed from his office as Moi by the chiefs of Oahu in council assembled. According to legends, his offenses were that he slept late, was stingy, penurious, deaf to the advice of others and used to take himself off to the plains to shoot rats. So thoroughly had he succeeded during his short imcumbency of office, to make himself hated, that, in an age so peculiarly prone to factions, not a voice was heard nor a spear was raised in his defence. It was one of those few bloodless revolutions that leave no stain on the pages of history. There was no anger to appease, no vengeance to extract, it was simply a political act for prudential reasons. His desposition atoned for his incompetency.
Though Kumahana had grown-up children at the time, yet the Oahu nobles passed them by in selecting a successor to the throne, and fixed their eyes on young Kahahana
Kahahana
Kahahana was the 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu and Alii Aimoku of Molokai. He ruled the island of Oahu and its tributary, the island of Molokai, from 1773 until his death in 1783. He was elected by the Oahu nobility to succeed Kumahana as Moi of Oahu. This was the second king to be elected to succeed...
, the son of Elani, one of the powerful Ewa chiefs of the Maweke
Maweke
Maweke was a northern Hawaiian king. He was of the Nanaulu line being lineal descendent of Nanaulu, the brother of Ulu, from whom the southern chiefs claim their descent. The northern chiefs of Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau descent from Maweke and Nanaulu...
Lakona
Lakona
Lakona was the 5th Alii Aimoku of Oahu. During his reign Oahu was divided among the descendants of Maweke, a legendary figure and the blue blood alii from which the Northern royal bloodline came forth from...
line, and on his mother's side closely related to Kahekili II
Kahekili II
Kahekili II, full name Kahekilinuiahumanu, was the twenty fifth King of Maui. His name was short for Kāne-Hekili after the Hawaiian god of thunder. Because Kāne-Hekili was believed to be black on one side, Kahekili tattooed one side of his body from head to foot.-Family:He was born about...
and the grandson of Kualii
Kualii
Kūalii Kunuiakea Kuikealaikauaokalani, the 19th Alii Aimoku of Oahu and 20th Alii Aimoku of Kauai. He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu and of Kauai. Kūalii is remembered for his famous kanawai, Law of Ni'aupi'o Kolowalu, which required farmers and fishermen to welcome and feed hungry strangers...
making him Kumahana's cousin.
Kumahana and his family were freely allowed to depart for Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, where they found refuge among their kindred in Waimea
Waimea
-Places:United States*Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii *Waimea, Kauai County, Hawaii*Waimea Bay, Hawaii on Oahu*Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai*Waimea Ditch on Kauai*Waimea River on Kauai*Waimea Valley on OahuNew Zealand...
. We know that Kumahana, was desposed after three years' reign and that he was permitted to return with his family to Kauai, where probably he still held lands from which to maintain himself. But it has never been asserted on his behalf, and nowhere is it intimated, that Kumahana ever was, or was considered to be, the Moi of Kauai as his father was, or his grandfather Kualii
Kualii
Kūalii Kunuiakea Kuikealaikauaokalani, the 19th Alii Aimoku of Oahu and 20th Alii Aimoku of Kauai. He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu and of Kauai. Kūalii is remembered for his famous kanawai, Law of Ni'aupi'o Kolowalu, which required farmers and fishermen to welcome and feed hungry strangers...
before him. A farther confirmation of the above proposition may be advanced from the well-known fact that Kamakahelei
Kamakahelei
Kamakahelei , was Alii Aimoku, or Queen regnant, of the islands of Kauai. She was the 22nd ruling chiefess of Kauai reigning from 1770 - 1794. In some historical reference she has been described as a regent for her sons Keawe and Kaumualii...
's first husband was Kaneoneo. Some give Kumahana's death as 1773 but that was the day of his overthrow and not the day of his death.
Marriage
His wife is unknown and the only son of his to whom history refers was Kaneoneo, who married KamakaheleiKamakahelei
Kamakahelei , was Alii Aimoku, or Queen regnant, of the islands of Kauai. She was the 22nd ruling chiefess of Kauai reigning from 1770 - 1794. In some historical reference she has been described as a regent for her sons Keawe and Kaumualii...
, the sovereign chiefess of Kauai and Kumahana's niece by his reputed sister Kaapuwai. His son was killed in a fruitless attempt to recover the kingdom of Oahu by joining the insurgent chiefs under Kahekili's iron rule.