 King Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli) was born and raised in Hawaii, with his father King Kamehameha The Great and his mother Keopuolani. Kauikeaouli was the younger brother of Liholiho. He became King Kamehameha III in the years of 1824 to 1854. He reigned in Hawaii for over thirty years. Kauikeaouli had the longest rule in Hawaii. During his rule, there were many changes. Some of the changes were the disappearing of the old Hawaiian culture and the bringing of new things. King Kamehameha III started building his palaces in 1826. He built his palaces out of grass huts. He would pile up grasses and build forts. King Kamehameha's grass huts consisted of a large room with no partitions or chambers. Large woven mats were used to cover the floor. King Kamehameha III declared Religious Freedom in 1839. It was about Catholic missionaries from France comming to the island to establish their religion. They were not allowed by the Protestant missionaries and all leaders. A fight began between the Hawaiian members and the religious groups from France. In 1839 Kauikeaouli was tired of the disagreement and conflict that was happening so he ordered the Native Hawaiians that the persecution or harassment of Cathlics to be stopped. In 1840 the Constitution was said by Kauikeaouli that "... there should be complete freedom in the matter of religion". In 1843 he claimed that the Cathlic people and the Protestant missiomaries would stop making conflicts and live in peace. In 1848 he introduced the Great Mahele which divided the land among the people, goverment and kings. The Crown Land was the land which Kings owned with 23% of people. The Goverment Lands had 37% of people and the Konohiki Lands was owned by Chiefs with 40%. His marriage to Queen Kalama was childless. His rule for over thirty years stopped with him and died on December 15, 1854. Sixteen years later Queen Kalama died on September 20, 1870. Kauikeaouli's mild-mannered, good judgement and solid character made him a king that was loved and greatly respected by his people. RESOURCES Title:Hawaii "Its Kings and Queens"
|