Kauikeaolani - Traditional
Lei aku au i ke ala Ke ala o ka awapuhi Onaona wale ho`i ia uka I ka uka `iu`iu a`o Nu`uanu Noho aku au ho`olono Ka hoene mai a nâ manu Ke ala onaona o ka awapuhi Kauikeaolani he inoa	Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III	I am wreathed in fragrance The fragrance of the ginger Sweet indeed is the uplands In the verdant mountains of Nu`uanu I sit and listen The soft sound of birds The fragrance of the ginger Kauikeaolani is your name
Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli (placed in the dark clouds) Kaleiopapa Kuakamanolani Mahinalani Kalaninuiwaiakua Keaweawe`ulaokalani (the red trail or the roadway by which the god descends from heaven) was stillborn at Keauhou, Kona on the big island of Hawaii, August, 1813 or 14. Kapihe, the kaula (prophet) of Chief Kaikio`ewa was summoned and declared the baby "alive". Kauikeaouli was cleansed, laid on a consecrated place, fanned, prayed over and sprinkled with water until he breathed, moved and cried. The prayer of Kapihe was to Ka`öhohiokalä, "Child of God". Kamehameha III chose to celebrate his birthday on March 17, in honor of his admiration for St. Patrick of Ireland. The son of Kamehameha I and Keopuolani, the sacred wife, Kauikeaouli was hanai to Chief Kaikio`ewa and raised in `O`oma, Kekaha in the North Kona district. When the missionaries arrived in 1820, he was among the first to be educated in Christianity and the English language. June 6, 1825, at age 10, Kauikeaouli became king, upon the death of his brother, Kamehameha II who succumbed to measles in England. Ka`ahumanu was named kuhina nui and ruled as the regent until her death in 1832. Kinau, the King's half sister was appointed regent, but without the strong guidance of Ka`ahumanu, Kauikeaouli rebelled. The following years of his reign was a time of confusion, strife and lawlessness. Overwhelmed by his love for and his desire to marry Nahi`ena`ena, his sister, he reverted back to the old Hawaiian customs and traditions, causing great havoc among the missionaries and the high Council of Chiefs. Early in June, 1934, the king attempted suicide after his sister refused to join him at their lovenest in Pu`uloa. In July, Kauikeaouli and his sister, Princess Nahi`ena`ena, married in the ancient Hawaiian way at the house of High Chief Paki. This union would have produced children of the highest ali`i rank. Their son, born Sept 17, 1936, lived only a few hours and the princess died on December 30, 1836. The king in his grief cried that he was alone to rule the kingdom. The one companion he loved the most, wanted desperately, and depended on, was taken from him. He built a mausoleum in Lahaina for his sister, their child and their mother,Keopuolani. The shock of Nahi`ena`ena's death put an end to his hedonistic life and he strived to be a better king for his people.