15 Facts About Kamehameha III

Kamehameha III's goal was the careful balancing of modernization by adopting Western ways while keeping his nation intact.

Kamehameha III was the second son of King Kamehameha I and his highest ranking wife, Queen Keopuolani, born in Maui.

Kauikeaouli was about 16 years younger than his brother Liholiho, who ruled as Kamehameha II starting in 1819.

Kamehameha III was promised to Kuakini in adoption, but as at birth he appeared to be delivered stillborn, Kuakini did not wish to take him.

Kamehameha III led the development of Hawaii's first formal written laws.

Kamehameha III was happy to support the explorers, and appointed missionary doctor Gerrit P Judd to serve as translator.

In February 1843, British Captain Lord George Paulet pressured Kamehameha III into surrendering the Hawaiian kingdom to the British crown, but Kamehameha III alerted London of the captain's rogue actions which eventually restored the kingdom's independence.

Kamehameha III presided over the formalization of the court system and land titles.

In 1851, Scottish-Australian entrepreneur and sailor Benjamin Boyd convinced King Kamehameha III to become regent of a Pacific empire ranging from Hawaii and the Marquesas to Samoa and Tonga.

On May 16,1854, King Kamehameha III proclaimed the Hawaiian Kingdom neutral in the Crimean War in Europe.

Kamehameha III died suddenly on December 15,1854, after a brief illness, which may have been related to a stroke.

Kamehameha III was succeeded by his nephew and adopted son Alexander Liholiho, who was styled as King Kamehameha IV.

Kamehameha III gave us a Constitution and fixed laws; he secured the people in the title to their lands, and removed the last chain of oppression.

Kamehameha III gave them a voice in his councils and in the making of the laws by which they are governed.

Kamehameha III was a great national benefactor, and has left the impress of his mild and amiable disposition on the age for which he was born.