Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Queen Kaahumanu (Part 1)

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Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands
" Keepers of the Culture "
A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands
As told by the ancients--
Queen Kaahumanu -- Part 1
by Darlene E. Kelley
November 19, 2000

http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374

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As told by the ancients--
Queen Kaahumanu -- part 1

The old legendary belief that people are sometimes born with a charmed
life is, by many Hawaiians, is thought to be true of Kaahumanu. She was
a very young baby, during a great battle on the island of Maui, when her
mother,
Namahana, hid her in a cave for several days. There are many such caves
in the Islands, and often overhanging vines completely hide them from
view. The vines, trailing down from the precipice, formed a protecting
curtain for little Kaahumanu, and the sweet music of the trade winds
drowned her cries. In fact, at that point, in the geography of Maui, a
strong wind constantly blows against the headland, and the high surf
pounding against the rocks drowns all other sounds. So, the baby's
hiding place was secure.

It was at Hana, on Maui, that Kaahumanu was born, at the very foot of
the old battle hill, Kauiki. At the time of her birth, battles were
raging on every side, as was true most of the time in the different
islands. There was war between the Kings of Hawaii and the King of Maui.
The King of Oahu was fighting the King    
of Molokai. The kings of Hawaii were fighting each other. Every high
chief was battling each other for supremacy in one way or another,and
young Kamehameha as winning his way to the top.

Kaahumanu's mother, Namahana, had been Queen of Maui. After the death of
her husband she became the wife of Keeaumoku, the great warrior and high
chief, and Kaahumanu was their child. Namahana's brother, Kahekili, who
was King of Maui, was displeased that Namahana had taken Keeaumoku for
her husband, and he became Keeaumoku's enemy. Their friendship had been
broken. It is told of Kahekili, whose name interpreted means 
" thunder," that he was both crafty and cruel. To make himself more
greatly feared, he had one half of his body tattooed almost black. The
people, including Namahana, stood in great fear of him, so she hid her
baby in the cave.

Keeaumoku was at war on Hawaii. Greatly worried about his wife and
child, he decided to make his escape from the Big Island. Diving from a
high cliff into the ocean, he located his canoe and sailed at once for
Molokai. There, he was once more surrounded by battle in a war between
the King of Oahu and te King of Molokai. He was again sucessful in
making his escape and reached Maui, where Namahana was waiting for him.

Wrapping the baby in the royal white tapa, they placed her on the
platform of the canoe, as was the custom in traveling. The platform of
the double canoe was designed to provide special seating for people of
rank. As they sailed along in the night, steering their canoe by the
stars, Keeaumoku and Namahana had much to talk over together. They were
in a precarious situation and may have been so engrossed in their
conversation that, for the moment. the baby was forgotten. The rapid
movement of the boat finaly rocked the baby off ino the water. Keeaumoku
happened to look back and saw what happened. Quickly, reversing the
canoe, he was just in time to save his daughter from drowning. The
ancient Hawaiians, when telling the story today say, " The gods were
watching." 
At another time, when the baby was just old enough to toddle along the
beach, and while her mother was resting after fishing, Kaahumanu,
attracted by the sparkling surf, ventured too near the edge of the
water. To her delight the surf crept over her feet, and then a big wave
came rolling in and drew her out to sea. A fisherman saw her and called
out. 
" Keeaumoku's child!" Dashing into the ocean, he swam out to the little
figure and brought Kaahumanu back to her mother.

As a close friend of Keeaumoku, Kamehameha had watched Kaahumanu develop
from childhood to young womahood. He not only admired her beauty, but
recognized and appreciated her intelligence as well. Although Kamehameha
had a number of wives, Kaahumanu was his true love. He married her when
she was thirteen years old, and their life together was both passionate
and stormy. She was intensively jealous of his attentions to other
women. When she wa sixteen, believing Kamehameha had deserted her, she
determined to end her life. Alone she swam out into shark infested
waters, thinking the sharks would kill her. She was followed and brought
back to shore, wild and angry that her plan had been thwarted. Another
story is told of the time that Kamehameha absented himself without
explanation. Kaahumanu, suspecting that he was having a rendezvous, swam
through a lare expanse of rough channel and hid herself behind a rock on
the beach. Before long, Kamehameha strolled along, accompanied only by
his dog. The dog stopped suddenly, sniffed the air, and then dashed
straight to the rock behind which Kaahumanu was hiding, yelping and
lapping the startled Quen's face in fond recognition. Kamehameha was
vastly amused as Kaahumanu emerged, shame-faced, from behind the rock,
falling into his arms with a cascade of tears.

It was through her mother that Kaahumanu inherited royal blood rank, but
her father, Keeaumoku, in addition to being one of Kamehameha's highest
chiefs, was of equal station and counted great names among his
ancestors. High though her station was, it was only in the matter of
rank that Kaahumanu suffered serious competition from another of
Kamehameha's wives. Keopuolani held te highest rank in all Hawaii. So
exalted was her rank that, even after their marriage and she had given
birth to two sons who were to become the second and third rulers of the
Kamehameha dynasty, the King never entered her presence except on his
hands and knees. But it was only in this matter of rank that Kaahumanu
was somewhat inferior. She remained Kaehameha's favorite. Before her
eyes he dangled the finest silks and the costliest baubles that he could
cunningly barter from foreign traders. Withal, Keopuolani and Kaahumanu
were good friends. Together after Kamehameha's death, they prevailed
upon Liholiho to break the great taboo. And it was Kaahumanu's word,
even more than his mother's, that had induced the young King to do so.

Captain Vancouver, in his voyage of Discovery, tells of his interest in
Kaahumanu and her family. She, with her father and her mother, were
guests aboard the Captain's ship in company with Kamehameha and his
friends. Vancouver was greatly impressed with the affection shown
between the parents and their daughter, leaving no doubt of their
relationship.
Speaking of Kaahumanu he says; " She appeared to be about fifteen, and,
undoubtedly, did credit to the charm and taste of Kamehameha, being the
finest woman we had yet seen on any of the Islands. It was pleasing to
observe the kindness and fond attention with which, on all occasions,
they seemed to regard each other."

Just how much influence Captain Vancouvr may have had over the mind of
Kaahumanu is uncertain, but she had for him the greatest admiration and
respect. The time is recalled when she begged Vancouver to use his
influence on Kamehameha to prevent the latter from beating her. She
appreciated Vancouver's friendliness and his advice. She must have often
listened to the discussions between Kamehameha and Captain Vancouver
concerning the Islands and their people. When she learned that the
Captain did not approve of Kamehameha's many wars, she was concerned.
Kaahumanu, herself, was a noted warrior, going with Kamehameha into the
very heart of battle. It may have been Kamehameha as well as her father
who taught her the art of war, for she was said to be not only able, but
fearless, in battle. Coming to know Captain Vancouver, John Young and
Isaac Davis, opened to Kaahumanu the realization of the evils of war.
Her entire life had been lived in the atmosphere and reality of battle.
She knew no other life. It was her birthright, but now it gave her cause
for apprehension. While Kamehameha, listening, remained loyal to his
inheritance, Kaahumanu may ave caught the flash of understanding, a
vision, a promise, for the future. So, it was not strange when, many
years later, and many pounds heavier, returning from her fishing, she
agreed with her son, Liholiho to allow the missionaries to come and
remain and try out their ideas of peace on earth, good will toward men.