Queen Ka'ahumanu of Hawaii: A Biography

King Kamehameha the Great had 30 wives, and Ka ahumanu, his favorite, was descended from Oceanian voyagers and grew up in isolation. She was shocked by the arrival of alien ships and guided her nation through revolutionary change, challenging beliefs about American history, Christianity, and gender. This biography covers neglected aspects of her life, including her many spouses and lovers, the roles played by Central Europeans, African-Americans, Catholics, and Unitarians, and struggles with religious pluralism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

King Kamehameha the Great, renowned for his extraordinary polygamy, had a remarkable 30 wives. Among them, Ka ahumanu, born around 1768 and passing away in 1832, held a special place in his heart. Tracing her lineage back to Oceanian voyagers, Ka ahumanu grew up in a society entirely secluded from the rest of the world, immersed in the tumultuous dynastic wars and bound by an intricate system of taboos. However, her life took an unexpected turn in 1778 when alien ships arrived, heralding the influx of foreigners into her homeland. In the wake of these foreign invasions came devastating epidemics that ravaged the Hawaiian Islands.

After the passing of King Kamehameha, Ka ahumanu assumed the throne and embarked on a transformative journey. She boldly challenged the societal norms that had confined her and her nation for generations. Guided by her vision and determination, Ka ahumanu led her people through a period of revolutionary change, playing a crucial role in the unification of the Hawaiian Islands.

Her life, filled with a myriad of experiences, including sicknesses, romances, infidelities, murders, rebellions, pardons, travels, missionary work, and more, defied conventional beliefs about American history, Christianity, and gender. Moreover, her story carries profound implications for ongoing debates surrounding immigration, sexuality, and religious diversity.

To shed light on neglected aspects of Ka ahumanu's life, this biography delves into seldom-analyzed French and Russian sources. It explores the intricate web of her many spouses and lovers, the roles played by Central Europeans, African-Americans, Catholics, and Unitarians in her realm, and the challenges she faced in navigating religious pluralism. Through meticulous research and a fresh perspective, this biography offers a comprehensive account of the remarkable life of Ka ahumanu, a woman who left an indelible mark on Hawaiian history and continues to inspire and intrigue scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476684987