This is the response from Kaahumanu when Namahana, her mother, told the alii that men were easy to get.
Kaahumanu was saddened when Kamehameha was taken by Kaheiheimalie, her younger sister, and she responded to her mother this way:
O ke kane ka mea aloha
Pau ke aho a’u e hoohaehae luhi e, Continue reading
By EMMA LYONS DOYLE
The appearance in Hawaiian Holiday of an article on Kamehameha III two weeks ago revived interest among old timers in a question that in years gone by aroused both query and controversy.
Was Kauikeaouli’s birthday Aug. 11, or was it March 17?
The latter date until recent years this writer believed to be the correct one. It was known to have been observed during the king’s lifetime, with flag flying, celebrations and official calls.
Makua Laiana’s [Lorenzo Lyons’] journal, dated Waimea, March 17, 1849, records: “The King’s birthday. People ordered not to do any work. Public meeting, but Royal Proclamation disregarded by many.”
Kauikeaouli, it must be remembered, was born in a period when time was reckoned by the unwritten Hawaiian calendar, one that was established, detailed and well arranged, but so different from the later-adopted haole calendar that it would not be strange if confusion sometimes occurred.
The August date was affirmed by Fornander, and appears in Alexander’s Brief History of the Hawaiian People. Hawaiian Holiday’s article was timed and written in acceptance of these statements, and its length being limited, did not include mention of the controversy.
In August, 1847, there appeared in the Hawaiian publication Elele Hawaii [10/6/1847, pp. 99–100] an article by G. S. Keliumiumi, vehemently and poetically protesting the celebration of the king’s birthday in March.
He quotes Keaweamahi as one authority, and says in part, “Know then by this document the correct and the truth of King Kamehameha being born on the 11th day of the month of Hinaiaeleele, which is August…
David Malo, in 1847, also disputed the March date, saying he was present at Keauhou when the king was born. “I did not know how to reckon months at that time,” he wrote, but he cited a fishing season and certain events that would mark the period.
Fornander, in a chronological table that appeared in Hitchcock’s English – Hawaiian dictionary, says for 1813: “Kauikeaouli, afterward Kamehameha III, was born on Aug. 11 to Kamehameha and Keopuolani. The day of his birth, however was in after years conventionally fixed for March 17, but the above date is the testimony of his nurse, Emilia Keaweamahi, wife of Kaieoewa [Kaikioewa], Governor of Kauai. (Kamakau mentions Kaikeoewa as the infant’s protector.)
And now for a surprise!
Very unexpectedly, the writer has been given permission to use and extract from the journal of no less a person than John Young:
“Kawaihae, March, 1813.
“News came by bearer a few days hence of the birth of a child who will be declared kabu as an heir to this kingdom’s throne.
“Tamehameha is overjoyed. He declares a great feast and a number of sacrifices, and a time of great celebration.
“Mother and I go to celebrate. Grace is ill today. Fanny, John, James and the kahus shall go with me.”
As this journal probably has never seen publication, it may be that our story represents a scoop on a human interest item 145 years old, a journalistic triumph for a historian.
In any case, let’s hope March 17, 1959, will be duly celebrated. Twice within the span of a year is not too often to remember the good king.
(Advertiser, 8/24/1958, Hawaiian Holiday, p. 7)
Honolulu Advertiser, 102nd Year, Number 34,394, Hawaiian Holiday, Page 7. August 24, 1958.
Moku Kaula i ho-a ia me Niihau,
I kaulua ia Kawaihoa a Kane, Continue reading
The mele below is one of the things which proves that Kamehameha was raised by Kahaopulani and that he was raised at Awini, thus:
Eia o Awini pali alii hulaana,
E noho ana Kahaopulani,
Hanai ia Paiea he alii,
I kohola maloko Kekuiapoiwa, Continue reading
This is a reprinting of the genealogy of Kahaopulani, the royal caretaker who raised Kamehameha I. at Awini; and so that the number of children given birth by Kamaka Stillman in a direct line, and not just one daughter as was shown in the earlier printing in Issue 19, Volume II of Ke Au Hou, May 10, 1911: Continue reading
Mr. Editor of Ke Au Hou:
With appreciation:—Please allow me my clarification pertaining to the one who raised Kamehameha I that was shown in the newspaper “Kuokoa Home Rula” on the 10th of February past, 1911, which said that it was Naeole. But forgive me for the tardiness of my response, for I soon received my issue of that paper mentioned above from a friend last week, and in order that the actual person who raised Kamehameha I is made known, that it is not Naeole as is being stated, that is why I am publishing this without intent to elevate chiefly genealogy, for the rude statements are embarrassing; there are so many people who are associated with alii, and covetous of alii who have genealogies that are printed in books. Pertaining to the parentage of Kamehameha, here it is: Continue reading
This 11th day of June is one of the important days for Hawaiians, cherished and greatly displayed amongst the holidays of the land. This day was established by Kamehameha V as a day of remembrance for his royal kupuna Kamehameha I, the conqueror of the nation who unified all of the islands to be governed under one alii. Continue reading
