Kaahumanu IV

Infobox Hawaiian Royalty
name =Victoria Kamamalu
title =

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imgw =
reign =16 Jan, 1855 - 21 Dec, 1863
as Kuhina Nui
(age in years and days|1855|1|16|1863|12|21)
predecessor =Keoni Ana
successor =Mataio Kekuanaoa
spouse =
issue =
full name =Wikolia Kamehamalu Keawenui Kaokinaahumanu-a-Kekūanaō‘a, Victoria Kamamalu Kaokinaahumanu IV | titles ="HRH" The Princess
"HRH" Kuhina Nui
"HRH" The Crown Princess
royal house =House of Kamehameha
royal anthem =
father =High Chief Mataio Kekuanaoa
mother =Princess Elizabeth Kinau Kaahumanu II
date of birth =birth date|1838|11|1|df=y
place of birth =Honolulu, O'ahu
date of death =Death date and age|1866|5|29|1838|11|1|df=yes
place of death =Honolulu, O'ahu
place of burial =Mauna Ala Royal Mausoleum|

Princess Victoria Kamamalu Ka'ahumanu IV (1 November 1838–29 May 1866), was Kuhina Nui of Hawaii and its crown princess. Princess Kamamalu is one of Hawaii lesser notable historical figures. She was largely overshadowed by her female contemporaries including her sister-in-law, Queen Emma Kaleleonalani; her schoolmate, Liliuokalani whose fame exceeded hers much later on in Liliu's life; her half-sister, Ruth Keelikolani, known for her tragedy and large land holding; and her first-cousin-once removed, Bernice Pauahi famous for her legacy to the Hawaiian people, Kamehameha Schools. She was the last true Princess, style Her Royal Highness and all of the Royal House of Kamehameha. Although not agreed upon by most, she was the first female to become the monarch of Hawaii, reigning from November 30, 1863 to November 30, 1863.

Family

She was born in Honolulu two months after Liliuokalani and she was named Wikolia Kamehamalu Keawenui Kaokinaahumanu-a-Kekūanaō‘a [http://www.archontology.org/nations/us/hawaii/00_1810_98_s.php United States of America: Hawaii: Heads of State: 1810-1898 - Archontology.org ] ] and also named Kalehelani Kiheahealani, but was mostly referred to as Victoria Kamamalu or Kaahumanu IV, when addressing her as the priemer. She was the only daughter of Kaahumanu II and her third husband Governor Mataio Kekuanaoa. Through her mother she was granddaughter of King Kamehameha the Great, founder of the kingdom. Her two brothers were kings of Hawaii as Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V. She was named after her maternal aunt Queen Kamamalu, the consort of Kamehameha II, who died in London from the measles. The Christian name Victoria signified the close friendship of the British monarchs and the Hawaiian monarchs for it was Queen Victoria who returned the sovereignity of the Hawaiian Islands to her uncle, Kamehameha III, after the Paulet Affair. Victoria mother would died not long after her birth. She was the highest female chief in Hawaii at the time. Her "kahu" (attendants) were John Papa Īī and his wife Sarai. Īī and his wife Sarai later followed Victoria to school due to her age at the time. [History of Keoua Kalanikupuapa-i-kalani-nui, Father of Hawaii By Elizabeth Kekaaniau Pratt. Page 53]

Early life

She was educated at Royal School along with all her cousins and brothers. She was expected from birth to one day succeed to the position of Kuhina Nui if not the office of Monarch, so she was educated by the Cooke with full attention of what political scheme she would play in the near future. In the school, they were permitted to visit with relatives from time to time. When the students fell ill, their kahu and families went to the school and stayed for a while to attend to the patient. Victoria's kahu, the talented John Papa 'I'i, eventually was appointed kahu for all the students at the Chief's Children's School and visited in that capacity, though his political services were in such demand by the court that he was often absent.

Her father Mataio Kekuanaoa raised her. He was the royal governor of Oahu. In Honolulu her father build her a Greek-revival mansion which was the largest house in the town of Honolulu, or any where in Hawaii, at the time. Her father was in debt to the foreigners, so Kamehameha III bought the palace from him. He made it his royal palace and call it "Hale Aliokinai" {House of the Chiefs) and this was the first Iolani Palace which stood at the exact spot as the present one.

She was a two months younger than Lydia Liliuokalani. They were close friend and aikane or foster-siblings. At the birth of Princess Victoria, Lydia's foster mother Laura Konia brought her to Kinau. While Victoria was at her mother's breast, Kinau always preferred to take Lydia into her arms to nurse, and would hand her own child to the woman attendant who was there for that purpose. So she frequently declared in the presence of Konia, that a bond of the closest friendship must always exist between her own baby girl and her foster child as aikane or foster-children of the same mother, and that all she had would also appertain to her just as if she had been her own child; and that although in the future Liliu might be her child's rival, yet whatever would belong to Victoria should be Lydia. This insistence on the part of the mother was never forgotten; it remained in the history of Victoria's girlhood she would share almost everything with lydia. On any occasion Victoria visit her Aunt Kekauluohi (Kaahumanu III), Liliu would be invited to join her. Victoria was destined to become the first Queen of Hawaii, but it would be Liliuokalani who would one day become the first Queen of Hawaii due to Victoria's own death. [ [http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/liliuokalani/hawaii/hawaii.html#I Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen ] ]

As the descendant of a long line of chief, stretching back to the days of her mythical ancestor Pii, she was of the highest rank. As Mark Twain stated on his visited to Hawaii: The natives have always been remarkable for the extravagant love and devotion they show toward their Chiefs - it almost amounts to worship. When Victoria was a girl of fifteen she made an excursion through the island of Hawaii (the realm of the ancient founders of her race), with her guardian and a retinue of servants, and was everywhere received with a wild enthusiasm by her people. In Hilo, they came in multitudes to the house of the reverend missionary, where she was stopping, and brought with them all manner of offerings - poi, taro, bananas, pigs, fowls - anything they (could) get hold of which was valuable in their eyes - and many of them stinted and starved themselves for the time being, no doubt, to do this honor to a Princess who could not use or carry away the hundredth part of what they lavished upon her. And for hours and even days together the people thronged around the place and wept and chanted their distressing songs, and wailed their agonizing wails; for joy at the return of a loved one and sorrow at his death are expressed in precisely the same way with this curious people. [http://www.twainquotes.com/18660716u.html Mark Twain in Sacramento Union - #14 ] ] Her peoples devotion toward her was not below that of her predecessors.

Kuhina Nui

As the daughter of Kīna‘u, the second Kuhina Nui, and as the highest ranking female chief of the day, it had long been her destiny to assume the responsibilities of the office. While she was a minor, her aunt Kekauluohi (Kaahumanu III) became a place-holder for her niece Victoria. She died while her niece was still too young, so Kamehameha III appointed John Kaleipahala Young II, alias Keoni Ana, the son of John Young as Kuhina Nui. Princess Kamamalu Kaahumanu was appointed as Heiress Presumptive to the title of Kuhina-Nui in 1850, successor to Keoni Ana. Since 1845, by legislative act, the office of Kuhina Nui had been joined with that of the Minister of Interior. Given her young age, it would have been clear to the King, Privy Council, and Legislative Council that Victoria was not suited to be Minister of Interior. Therefore, on January 6, 1855, an act was passed to repeal the earlier legislation. She received her appointment ten days later. An Act to separate the office of Kuhina Nui from that of Minister of Interior Affairs, was approved January 6, 1855, Session of 1854. [ [http://hawaii.gov/dags/archives/centennial/victoria-kamamalu-and-mataio-kekuanao2018a VICTORIA KAMĀMALU — Department of Accounting and General Services ] ]

She became Kuhina Nui in 1855 mainly due to her brother, Kamehameha IV's, ascession to the throne and the death of her uncle. It is probable that Kamehameha III had mean for Keoni Ana to hold the office till his death. She presided over the King’s Privy Council. She constitutionally assume the power of the monarch for a day when her brother Kamehameha IV died leaving no legal heirs in 1864. Section II Article 47 of the 1852 Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom provided that the Kuhina Nui (Premier), in absence of a Monarch, would fill the vacant office.

"Whenever the throne shall become vacant by reason of the King¹s death, or otherwise, and during the minority of any heir to the throne, the Kuhina Nui, for the time being, shall, during such vacancy or minority, perform all the duties incumbent on the King, and shall have and exercise all the powers, which by this Constitution are vested in the King."

As the first female Head of State of Hawaii, she met with the Legislature and gave the throne to her brother Lot Kapuaiwa (Kamehameha V). Princess Victoria is often overlooked in Hawaiian history and rarely recognized as a Queen of Hawai'i. She was literally a "Queen for a day." [ [http://www.hawaiiansabroad.com/history.html HawaiiansAbroad.com - Hawaiian History ] ]

Betrothal

She was betrothed to William Charles Lunalilo their parent had plan out their marriage from infancy and it was popular among the Hawaiians. The date was set, but interference from her brothers, cancelled the wedding. [ [http://www.huapala.org/AL/Alekoki.html Alekoki ] ] They were forbidden to marry by her brothers Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V. The reason was because their children will have a higher rank or mana than her or her brothers. This offended Lunalilo so deeply, he refused to be buried with Hawaiian royalty, choosing to be laid to rest on the grounds of Kawaihao Church, alone and away from the Kamehameha dynasts.

Her brother, Alexander Liholiho, had tried to split them apart by engaging Victoria to David Kalakaua, and Lunalilo to Lydia Kamaka'eha. In Liliuokalani's Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen, she mentioned this incident:

After some months spent on Hawaii we went to Lahaina; there I received a letter from my brother Kalakaua, telling me that he was engaged to the Princess Victoria, and asking me to come to Honolulu. So, attended by five women, all from the families of high chiefs, I started for that city; but upon my arrival I found that the engagement was broken, for the Princess Victoria had gone to Wailua, and my brother had heard nothing from her for a fortnight; so I made preparations to return to Maui, but receiving an invitation to remain for a ball to be given by Prince Lot, I deferred my journey. At the ball the Princess Victoria appeared with her suite, and it was said was engaged to Prince William. Be that as it may, we all had a very gay time at the ball, which continued until daybreak.

At two o'clock the day following Prince Lot and Mr. Dominis, with the five ladies of noble birth, attended me to the old schooner Kekauluohi, by which I was to make the passage across the channel. My retinue was very large, and nearly filled the cabin. Prince William, who ascended the throne in 1874 under the title of Lunalilo, was the owner of the vessel, and was also at this time on board. He came to me, and insisted on my taking his cabin; and when the berth had been emptied of oranges with which I found it filled, his wearing apparel, boots, and other belongings also cleared out, I complied. He than asked me in the presence of my attendants why we shouldn't get married. There was an aged native preacher on board, Pikanele by name, who at once offered to perform the ceremony. But having heard the prince was engaged to his cousin Victoria, I did not consider it right to marry him on the impulse of the moment. When we arrived at Lahaina he escorted me to my home, there repeating his offer; and I took the matter into serious consideration, agreeing to write to him. He joined his father at Kona; and to that place I directed my letter, sending it by the schooner Kamamalu, which also was the Hawaiian name of the princess. It seemed that she declined to be the bearer of messages to her fickle swain, for the schooner was lost at sea. In the mean time Victoria Kamamalu had written to Prince William, reminding him of his obligations to her, and asking him to return to Honolulu, which he did, stopping at Lahaina on the way to tell me that, having received no answer from me, he supposed that I had rejected his proposal; but on my explanation of the matter, he again renewed his offer, and we became engaged. In May of that year my mother returned with me to Honolulu; but her health was not permanently improved, and on July 2, 1857, she died.

The death of Paki and Konia placed me more yet under the charge of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, but Prince William claimed that our engagement was in full force. Mr. Bishop asked the king if he considered it a good match, to which Alexander replied that if I were his daughter he should not approve of it, but that if each of us were pleased, he should not oppose it, but advise us to marry. But there were certain other incidents which came to the surface ere long which led me to break the engagement. Neither Prince William Lunalilo nor the Princess Victoria was ever married.

[ [http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/liliuokalani/hawaii/hawaii.html#II Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen ] ]

Crown Princess

From her infancy it was expected that she would one day fill the throne, and therefore great importance was attached to her acts, and they were duly observed and noted as straws calculated to show how the wind would be likely to set in her ultimate official life. Princess Victoria was appointed as Heiress-Apparent and crown princess of Hawaiian monarchy by her brother king Kamehameha V in 1863. She could have become queen of Hawaii upon her brother's death but she predeceased him. It was said that she was pro-American and had a close friendship with the American missionaries. She became an accomplished pianist and vocalist, and for many years sat at the melodeon and led the choir of Kawaiahao Church. Robert Wyllie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, once sent for Mr. Ii, and endeavored to get him to use his influence in dissuading the Princess and Mrs. Bernice Pauahi Bishop from further attendance upon the church choirs. He said it was very improper and out of character for Princesses to sing in a choir, and that such personages in England would not do such a thing. The effort was fruitless, however; Victoria continued her former course, and remained faithful to her early friends, the missionaries at Kawaiahao. She was urged to desert them and go over to the Reformed Catholic Church or Anglican Church of Hawaii, but she steadfastly refused.

Death

Kamamalu Ka'ahumanu died unmarried and without issue 29 May 1866, when she was 27 years old. The cause was over a scandal that involved her love for Monsarrat, a married English auctioneer. Of course the King did not approve and as Kuhina Nui she had to sign the papers that would banish him from Hawai`i. Her death left her brother the king without obvious heirs. Her funeral also revived many of the funeral rites of the Native Hawaiians including the kanikau (grief wailing). The wailing lasted for weeks. Many loyal Hawaiians walked as much as 50 miles to pay their last respects to their princess. Mark Twain was in attendance but was decidedly unsympathetic and denounced the grief of the misunderstood Hawaiian as "pagan orgies."

The Legislature took $6,000 to defray the funeral expenses of the Princess. Her coffin was fashion out of the native woods, kou and koa. The former is nearly as dark as ebony; the latter is like fine California laurel, richly grained and clouded with mahogany. Both woods had an iron-like hardness, and were exceedingly close in grain, and when highly polished and varnished nothing in the shape of wood can be more brilliant, more lustrous, more beautiful. There was nothing extraordinary about the fashioning - the planning and construction - of this coffin, but still it was beautiful. The wood was so splendidly burnished, and so gracefully grained and clouded. The silver tablet upon the coffin, upon which is to be inscribed the name and title of the deceased, is to cost $500. This has proves royal state in the Kingdom of Hawaii approaches as near to its European models as the circumstances of the case will admit.

Her brother had remained a bachelor throughout his life, intending that she should be his heir. Her death left her brother without an obvious successor. After his brother's death the throne remain vacant and an election was held between Kalakaua and Lunalilo, both former suitors of the princess. Lunalilo won the election with flying colors; yet his reign lasted less than a year.

References

Externa Link

* [http://hawaii.gov/dags/archives/centennial/victoria-kamamalu-and-mataio-kekuanao2018a VICTORIA KAMĀMALU]
* [http://smolec.com/kobiety/victoria_kamamalu.htm Victoria Kamamalu]
* [http://www.hawaiianstamps.com/bank_nbn1871.html Victoria Kamamalu on a Stamp]
* [http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/9410 PictureHistory Princess Victoria Kamamalu of Hawaii]
* [http://www.scienceviews.com/photo/library/SIA2112.html PHOTO: Princess Victoria Kamamalu ]

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