Kamehameha III
Third king of Hawaii; oversaw shift to constitutional monarchy.
Kamehameha III, born Kauikeaouli on March 17, 1814, at Keauhou Bay on Hawaii island, was the third king of the Kingdom of Hawaii, reigning from 1825 until his death in 1854. He was the second son of Kamehameha I and Queen Keōpūolani. His full name upon ascension was greatly lengthened to include multiple honorifics. He was of the highest kapu lineage. At birth he appeared stillborn, but a prophet named Kapihe revived him with prayers and water, and he was raised by Chief Kaikioewa. His reign, the longest in the kingdom’s history at 29 years and 192 days, began under a regency by Queen Kaʻahumanu and later Kaahumanu II. During his youth, he was torn between the Puritan Christian rules imposed by the regent and a desire to honor old traditions, rebelling under the influence of Governor Boki and his aikāne partner Kaomi.
Under his rule, Hawaii transformed from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional one. He signed the 1840 Constitution, the first written in the Hawaiian language, and later the 1852 Constitution. His government created the first formal written laws, beginning with a declaration of human rights in 1839. That same year, under French threat, Roman Catholicism was legalized via the Edict of Toleration. The 1840 constitution established judicial and executive branches, and the Mahele of 1848 implemented a system of land ownership. These foundational laws were published as the Kumu Kānāwai, or Blue Laws, based on indigenous traditions, earlier statutes, and Christian principles. The capital moved from Lahaina to Honolulu during this period. Kamehameha III sought to balance modernization with preserving his nation. However, the native population, already reduced to about 150,000 at his accession, halved again due to epidemics. He married Kalama Hakaleleponi Kapakuhaili in 1837; their two sons died in infancy. He also had twin illegitimate sons with mistress Jane Lahilahi, one of whom, Albert Kūnuiākea, was adopted by the king and queen but died childless.
- field
- Monarchy
- nationality
- Kingdom of Hawaii
Lore & Background
Kamehameha III, born Kauikeaouli, was the third king of the Kingdom of Hawaii, reigning from 1825 to 1854. His full name upon ascending the throne was greatly lengthened, reflecting his high kapu lineage. He was the second son of Kamehameha I and his highest-ranking wife, Queen Keōpūolani. According to reports, he was stillborn at birth but was revived by a prophet’s prayer after being cleansed, laid on a rock, fanned, and sprinkled with water. He was then raised by Chief Kaikioewa. His appearance is captured in a painting from 1825, showing him as a young man. His reign saw the native population, already reduced to about 150,000 at his accession, halved again due to epidemics. He was the longest-reigning monarch in Hawaiian history, ruling for 29 years and 192 days, though early in his reign he was under a regency. His defining characteristic was a careful balancing act: adopting Western ways, including the development of formal written laws and constitutions, while striving to keep his nation intact. He signed the first Hawaiian Language Constitution in 1840 and a subsequent one in 1852, transitioning Hawaii from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. He married Kalama in a Christian ceremony in 1837, and they had two children who died in infancy. He also had twin illegitimate sons with a mistress, one of whom was adopted by the royal couple.
Reader's Guide
Kamehameha III’s reign transformed Hawaii from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional one, driven by his goal of adopting Western governance while preserving the nation’s integrity. He signed the first Hawaiian-language constitution in 1840, followed by the 1852 constitution, and oversaw the creation of formal written laws. In 1838, former missionary William Richards became a political advisor, instructing the king and his council on Western legal and economic principles. This led to a declaration of human rights in 1839, the legalization of Roman Catholicism under French threat, and the establishment of judicial and executive branches. The 1848 Mahele implemented a land ownership system. These laws, collectively called the Kumu Kānāwai or “Blue Laws,” blended indigenous traditions, earlier enactments, and Christian biblical principles. During his rule, the native population, already reduced to about 150,000 at his accession, halved again due to repeated epidemics. He moved the capital from Lahaina to Honolulu. His personal life reflected tensions between old traditions and new Christian norms: he loved his sister Nāhienaena but was barred from marrying her by missionaries, and he married Kalama in a Christian ceremony in 1837. They had two sons who died in infancy, and he adopted an illegitimate son, Albert Kūnuiākea, who lived to adulthood but died childless.
Did You Know?
- His full Hawaiian name was lengthened to 35 words upon ascending the throne.
- His intended queen Kamanele died in 1834 before their wedding could take place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kamehameha III important to the history of Hawaiian monarchy?
He fundamentally reshaped how the kingdom was governed by introducing constitutional limits on royal power. His legacy as the architect of Hawaii's transition to a constitutional monarchy sets him apart from his predecessors.
More in Monarchs And Nobility 1-24
Related in Monarchs And Nobility
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record