- He nani `o Hana i ka`u `ike
- `Âina `olu`olu uluwehiwehi
- `Âina piha `oe i ke aloha
- A he wahi poina `ole `ia na`u
- Ke ku mau no a Ka`uiki
- A he pu`u kaulana no ka `âina
- He aloha Ka`uiki a e ku nei
- Ke one hanau o Ka`ahumanu
- Ha`ina ka inoa a i lohe `ia
- `O Ka`ahumanu no e o mai
- `Âina `olu`olu uluwehiwehi
Ka`ahumanu
- Beautiful is Hana in my
sight
- Land cool and lush
- You are a land filled with love
- A place I`ll never forget
- There stands Ka`uiki
- A famous hill of the land
- Beloved is Ka`uiki that stands there
- The birthplace of Ka`ahumanu
- Tell the name and let it be heard
- O Ka`ahumanu, do answer
- Land cool and lush
Source: Hula Record Album: Auntie Alice
Ku`uleialohapoina`ole Nâmakelua - The composer was inspired
to write this mele September 14, 1973, to commemorate a visit
to Hana, birthplace of Ka`ahumanu, the favorite wife of
Kamehameha I. Ka`ahumanu, the high-spirited, strong-willed
and proud daughter of Ke`eaumoku and Namahana was born about 1768-73.
The infant,
Ka`ahumanu was
taken to
Heiau
Kaniomoku at Hana, after her birth in the cave at Pu`u Ka`uiki. Her
father Ke`eaumoku was at that time, the defender of the pa`a kau`a
(fortress) of Ka`uiki. Described as a kind-hearted and obedient child,
the young athletic chiefess startled Kamehameha I with her beauty when
he saw her at the Makahiki
games. Determined to make her his wife, she consented only after he agreed
to name any of their children, as his primary heirs. In 1785, between
theage 13-18, she married Kamehameha I, in a simple ceremony. He had
2 other
wives
before he married Ka`ahumanu, but she was his favorite. Unfortunately,
there was no issue from this marriage, but Ka`ahumanu raised Liholiho
(Kamehameha II), the son of her husband and Keopuolani, the sacred and
most high-ranking wife of Kamehameha. George Vancouver, the explorer
and a dear friend of Kamehameha admired the affection between the couple
and
described
Ka`ahumanu, as one of
the finest women he had ever known. The death of Kamehameha I in 1819,
placed young Kalaninui Liholiho on the throne
as Kamehameha II, with Ka`ahumanu as the Kuhina Nui. She
was a good prime minister, diligent in her duties and loved the power.
In
this capacity, she started the systematic destruction of the Hawaiian religion
with Keopuolani, the sacred Queen. First, they broke the eating kapu for women,
then ordered the dismantling of heiaus and burning of the ancient gods. The battle
of Kuamoo, the last concerted effort to save the Hawaiian religion, ended in
defeat. The arrival of the Christian missionaries in 1820, filled the religious
void of the Hawaiians. Ka`ahumanu advised the king to allow them to stay and
teach. Intelligient and curious, the chiefess visited the missionaries
often, eager
to learn about life beyond her native land. When she became ill in 1821, the
missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Bingham visited her every day and forged a friendship
that stirred Ka`ahumanu’s interest in Christianity. They taught her to
read and write and she became an advocate of education for the people. Upon the
death of Liholiho, his brother Kauikeaouli was declared king in 1825, at age
11. Ka`ahumanu was installed as kuhina nui/prime minister and ruled as
regent until her death. Returning from a tour of the windward islands, Ka`ahumanu
became ill. Servants carried the regent to her cottage in Manoa Valley, pausing
at the fresh water spring at Punahou for refreshment, before continuing the 3
miles to her home. During her illness, translation of the New Testament was completed
and Mr. Bingham presented her with the first copy bound in red leather with her
name engraved in gold letters on the cover. She kept it with her until her death
of intestinal illness, June 5, 1832.