:Kamakahelei
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Kamakahelei
| title = Aliʻi Nui of Kauaʻi
| image = Kamakahelei Cape, Memoirs Bishop Museum, Vol. VII, Fig. 50.jpg
| caption = The ʻahuʻula (feather cape) of Kamakahelei, Bishop Museum
| alt = Feather cape
| succession = Aliʻi Nui of Kauaʻi
| reign = 1770-1794
| predecessor = Peleʻioholani
| successor = Kaumualiʻi
| spouse = Kaneoneo
Kāʻeokūlani
| issue = Lelemahoalani
Kapuaʻamohu
Kaumualiʻi
Ikekelei'aiku
Namakaokaha{{okina}}i
| father = Kaumeheiwa
| mother = Kaʻapuwai
| birth_date = c. 18th century
| death_date = 1794
}}
Kamakahelei (c. 18th century - 1794), was the 22nd ali{{okina}}i nui, or High Chiefess regnant, of the island of Kaua{{okina}}i. She was the ruling chiefess of Kaua{{okina}}i from 1770 - 1794. In some historical references she has been described as a regent for her sons Keawe and Kaumuali{{okina}}i. She was the sovereign of the island of Kaua{{okina}}i at the time Captain James Cook landed on its shores. The Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in the district of Puhi is named after her. This school serves the Kalaheo to Hanamaulu districts on the island of Kaua{{okina}}i.
Biography
Kamakahelei was one of three daughters of High Chief Kaumeheiwa, the son of High Chief Lonoikahaupu and High Chiefess consort Kamuokaumeheiwa, and his wife, High Chiefess consort Ka{{okina}}apuwai, possibly the daughter of Pelei{{okina}}oholani, Ali{{okina}}i nui of Oahu and Ali{{okina}}i nui of Kauai. According to tradition, her grandfather Lonoikahaupu was five generations in descent from the 13th Ali{{okina}}i Aimoku of Kauai, Kalanikukuma. His family had traditionally ruled in Waimea and the south-western section of the island, although always in subordination to the elder line of Kaua{{okina}}ian chiefs. It is unclear why Kamakahelei succeeded Pelei{{okina}}oholani as the Ali{{okina}}i of Kaua{{okina}}i. It is not certain that she was his granddaughter or a close relative. The legends remain silent between the transaction of rule between the two dynasties.
She first married Kaneoneo, Pele{{okina}}ioholani's grandson and the pretender to the throne of O{{okina}}ahu of the Kūali{{okina}}i line. He had rights to the succession to Kaua{{okina}}i, but it is not known if he contended with his wife over the rule of the island. Kaneoneo's father, Kūmahana, was deposed by the {{okina}}Ewa chiefs, who replaced him with Kahahana. The latter was the last chief of Oahu.
She and her first husband had two daughters: Lelemahoalani and Kapua{{okina}}amohu. Kaneoneo died during the rebellion on O{{okina}}ahu against Mau{{okina}}i chief Kahekili II in the year 1785 or 86.{{cite book |title= An Account of the Polynesian Race: Its Origins and Migrations, and the Ancient History of the Hawaiian People to the Times of Kamehameha I |year=1880 |publisher=Trübner & Co |volume= 2 |author= Abraham Fornander |author-link= Abraham Fornander |editor=John F. G. Stokes |pages= 140–142, 211–212, 225 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=tcQNAAAAQAAJ }}{{rp|297–298}}
Kamakahelei next married Kāʻeokūlani, a prince of Ma{{okina}}ui and brother of Kahekili II. They had a son Kaumuali{{okina}}i. Together they united rule of the island of Ni{{okina}}ihau, her husband's domain, and the island of Kaua{{okina}}i.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
Successors
After Kamakahelei's death in 1794, her husband Kāʻeokūlani may have briefly taken regency over his son as he did his nephew Kalanikūpule's inheritance of Mau{{okina}}i. Kāʻeokūlani died the same year, killed at the Battle of Kukiiahu, at Kalauao, O{{okina}}ahu on December 12, 1794. Her son Kaumuali{{okina}}i continued to ruled the kingdom of Kaua{{okina}}i independently until he consented to becoming a vassal of Kamehameha the Great.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| title = Ali{{okina}}i Nui of Kaua{{okina}}i
| before = Peleiʻoholani|
| after = Kaumualiʻi
| years = 1770 - 1794
}}
{{s-end}}
Category:Royalty of Kauai and Niihau
Category:Year of birth uncertain
Category:Hawaiian queens regnant