3 Ways How Queen Consort, Kaʻahumanu Changed Hawaiian Culture
Arguably one of the most influential figures in Hawaiian history, Kaʻahumanu impacted Hawaiian society in unprecedented ways.
Background Info
On March 17, 1777, in a cave near Hana, Maui, Kaʻahumanu was born to her parents, Keʻeaumoku Papaʻiahiahi, an aliʻi originally from Hawaiʻi Island, and Nāmāhānaikaleleokalani, the widowed queen of the late king of Maui, Kamehameha Nui. Keʻeaumoku arranged for Kaʻahumanu, who was ten at the time, to marry the upcoming aliʻi of Hawaiʻi, Paiʻea or Kamehameha l. She soon became one of the most powerful of Kamehameha the Great’s wives.
1. She influenced Kamehameha ll to abolish the kapu system.
Without Ka’ahumanu, the young Kamehameha ll, Liholiho, might not have been persuaded or advised to eradicate all-things kapu system. Even though Liholiho was brought up with these old, ancient ways, he was still convinced that getting rid of the kapu system would be best for Hawaiʻi.
The “cooperation” of Liholiho’s aunts, especially Kaʻahumanu, according to influenced him enough to change the ancient rules of Hawaiian society. Kaʻahumanu began to eat with Liholiho and other members of high Hawaiian society, which under Kamehameha the Greatʻs reign would result in death. The lowest class, kauā, and kauwā, who were drawn upon for sacrifice, were dismissed from their duties.
2. She pushed for religious reform to first Roman Catholicism and later to Protestant Christianity.
Due to Kamehameha ll’s inexperience in politics and ruling a country, Kaʻahumanu, as Kahina Nui, took on the affairs as a king would and allowed her to influence, or even dictate the religious beliefs in Hawaiian society.
After Boki, the royal governor of the island of Oʻahu in 1829, left Hawaiiʻi Kaʻahumanu lost faith in Roman Catholicism and tried to eradicate the religion from the islands. Not only did Kaʻahumanu encourage the practicing of a religion different from the traditional Hawaiian ways, but she also denounced and prohibited that same religion. This unprecedented introduction of a western doctrine marked the beginning of Hawaiʻi’s ever-changing society.
Years later, to confirm that her orders were followed, Kaʻahumanu attended the departure of Captain Sumner, a British Roman Catholic priest on December 24, 1831. This event helps us understand Kaʻahumanu’s decision to convert religions. Instead of causing confusion, she decided to conform to one religion, which in her eyes, as in the people of Hawaiʻi’s best interest.
3. She established relations with political powers, like the United States.
Ka’ahumanu took part in the early stages of the Hawai’i-United States Treaty of 1826. This treaty, which documents that America was the first nation to recognize the Kingdom of Hawaii as a sovereign nation, marked the emergence of Hawai’i into global society.
The treaty also acknowledged the debt, on behalf of Hawaiians, to American merchants. As a result, Ka’ahumanu gained the support of the many traders seeking payments. In addition, the treaty instituted a free trade market, including during times of war. Due to Hawaiʻi’s unique geographical location, maintaining a “neutral” status would allow unbiased trading, which would stimulate Hawaiʻi’s economic growth.
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