Kamānele

Mele Kaʻauʻamokuokamānele or Kamānele (c. 1814 – May 7, 1834) was a high chiefess of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the betrothed bride of King Kamehameha III. Her early death prevented the marriage from occurring. Her Hawaiian name Kamānele means "the sedan chair".

Born around circa 1814, her parents were John Adams Kuakini and Kaniuʻopiohaʻaheo. The Governor of the Island of Hawaii, her father Kuakini was the younger brother of Queen Kaʻahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha I, who served as kuhina nui and regent for his successors King Kamehameha II and Kamehameha III. Her family descended from the aliʻi of Maui and Hawaii. In 1825, Kamānele and other chiefs attended the baptism of her aunt Queen Kaʻahumanu by Hiram Bingham I at the site where Kawaiahaʻo Church stands today. Kamānele most likely converted as well during this period and was christened with the name "Mele", the Hawaiian version of Mary. When her aunt died in 1832 Kamānele occupied the covered litter that brought her remains into the city of Honolulu for burial.

On February 3, 1828, the Dutch Captain Jacobus Boelen met with Kamānele and her father aboard the Wilhelmina and Maria at Kealakekua Bay. Boelen gave a description of the high chiefess whom he called "Princess Koakini":

Not long after we anchored, a large double canoe came alongside with Governor Adams' daughter, who, as Mr. French assured me, was to be the queen of the islands and was already betrothed to the present young king, Kauikeouli [Kauikeaouli]. Princess Koakini [Kuakini], who appeared to me to be a girl about fourteen years old, could well pride herself on being one of the beauties of the island. She was dressed in the European fashion — that is, except for all those various accouterments which our ladies use to complete their toilet. But I must say that this did not detract from the splendor of the beautiful stature or the charming features of the young princess. We received Her Highness with as much pomp as the lack of preparation for her arrival made possible. The girl was very sweet and friendly indeed. She stayed on board to have breakfast with me and her father and two other gentlemen. We then went ashore.

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