Kaumualii
1778–1824 (age 46)
Chief
Biography
Kaumualii was a distinguished Hawaiian chief who ruled the island of Kauai during a pivotal period in Hawaiian history. His leadership spanned the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, a time of significant change and contact with foreign powers. Kaumualii maintained his authority and sought to preserve Hawaiian sovereignty during these transformative years.
Chief Kaumualii's legacy is preserved at Waiola Church, where he was laid to rest. His reign and efforts to navigate the complex political landscape of his era represent an important chapter in Hawaiian history and the experience of indigenous leadership during a period of external pressure and cultural change.