Kalani Ahumanu i Kaliko o Iwi Kauhipua o Kīnaʻu

Born: c.1805                        Died: April 4, 1839

High Chiefess Kīnaʻu was the daughter of Kamehameha Paiʻea and Kaheiheimālie.  She was the half-sister of Kamehameha II (Liholiho) and Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli), and the mother of Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho) and Kamehameha V (Lot Kapuāiwa).  

Kīnaʻu was a very obedient child, praised by her mākua and kūpuna for her good manners.  She was bright and learned very quickly to speak, read, and write English.  Of all his daughters, Kīnaʻu came closest in developing the fine qualities of character and leadership of her great father, Kamehameha I; she was known to be independent, generous and intelligent.  

In 1827, Kīnaʻu married Mataio Kekūanaoʻa.  They had five children: David Kamehameha, Moses Kekūāiwa, Lot Kapuāiwa, Alexander Liholiho, and Victoria Kamāmalu.  After four sons, Kīnaʻu wanted very much to have a daughter and shortly after her birth on December 19, 1831, Bernice Pauahi Bishop became the hānai daughter of Kīnaʻu.

In 1832, Kīnaʻu became kuhina nui, designated as such by her predecessor, Kaʻahumanu, shortly before her passing.  Kīnaʻu served as kuhina nui with her younger, half-brother Kamemameha III (Kauikeaouli).  Though the siblings did not always see eye to eye, following the strong leadership example of Kaʻahumanu, Kīnaʻu carried out her duties well.

In an example that can be seen as visionary in a time when not much was known about the spread of communicable diseases, in 1836, Kīnaʻu ordered the Honolulu harbor pilots to check the passengers and crews of incoming vessels for diseases that were causing the deaths of many Hawaiians

In 1839, at the age of thirty-five, Kīnaʻu passed away after acquiring mumps.