The King was born in 1814 and the tablet was installed in 1914, at the one hundred year anniversary of his birth. The request to install the tablet was initiated by the Daughters of Hawaii.
Some facts about Kamehameha III
Kamehameha III, also known as Kauikeaouli, significantly modernized Hawaii during his reign from 1825 to 1854.
He established Hawaii's first constitution in 1840, transitioning the kingdom from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy, laying the groundwork for democratic governance and legal reforms.
In 1848, he enacted the Great Mahele, a radical land redistribution policy. This allowed private ownership of land by Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians for the first time, fundamentally changing Hawaii's land tenure system and promoting modern agriculture and economic development.
He prioritized education, significantly expanding the public school system and increasing literacy across the islands.
A staunch advocate for Hawaiian culture, he supported the preservation and practice of Hawaiian traditions and language amidst growing foreign influences.
Kamehameha III navigated through challenging times of foreign intervention and pressure, managing to maintain the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom during a period when many other regions were being colonized.
About Hoʻokupu
We will witness the presentation of Hoʻokupu during the day of March 17. Hoʻokupu is a traditional Hawaiian practice where gifts or offerings are presented as a sign of respect and homage, deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and spirituality. This practice connects the physical and spiritual worlds, especially when honoring ancestors or significant figures like Kamehameha III.
Hoʻokupu might include:
Native Plants: Such as leis or single blooms, significant both ecologically and culturally.
Lei: Garlands made from flowers, leaves, nuts, or shells, symbolizing affection and respect.
Food: Traditional foods like poi and fish, often wrapped in ti leaves, representing nourishment and communal sharing.
Personal Artifacts: Items of personal or spiritual importance that connect to the honoree’s life.
Stone and Salt: Used to symbolize solidity, permanence, and purification.
Background on the tablet’s unveiling, in 1914
“The unveiling of a handsome tablet of Hawaiian lava granite, to the accompaniment of sacred chants composed a century ago, marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kauikeaouli, the third of the Kamehamehas, which yesterday afternoon was observed at old Kawaiahao church by the Daughters of Hawai‘i.”
“In front of the tablet were Queen Liliuokalani on the right and Princess Elizabeth Kekaaniau Pratt, and both of them were descendants of Keawe, the king of Hawaii. It is estimated that twenty-six hundred people came that evening.”
“This tablet was a polished block of fine grain deep lava from the Moiliili quarries, surfaced some ten square feet on which the … inscription stood out in bold letters, within a neat border….
The tablet was conveyed to Kailua by steamer, where it was met by a royal double canoe, manned by paddlers clothed in semblance of feather cloaks and bedecked with brilliant colored leis.”
“This large canoe was accompanied by a flotilla of small ones filled with ancient costumed warriors. Upon the stone being lowered into the double canoe the fleet paddled down the coast to its destination, Keauhou.”
“At its landing twelve stalwart descendants of warrior chiefs, each clad in costume emblematic of the rank and station of his ancestors, conveyed it by a litter to its designed place where services were held before a large concourse of Hawaiians that had gathered to do homage to their alii.”
‘The tablet will be taken to Keauhou, Kona, where it will mark the birthplace of ka moi lokomaikai.” (Star Bulletin, March 18, 1914; Nupepa-Hawai‘i) More information about the installation
