Origins & Early Life

Kamehameha II (November 1797 – July 14, 1824) was the second king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1819 until his death in 1824. His birth name was Liholiho and full name was Kalaninui kua Liholiho i ke kapu ʻIolani. It was lengthened to Kalani Kaleiʻaimoku o Kaiwikapu o Laʻamea i Kauikawekiu Ahilapalapa Kealiʻi Kauinamoku o Kahekili Kalaninui i Mamao ʻIolani i Ka Liholiho when he took the throne. Due to his young age, his power was limited and he was controlled under Ka'ahumanu, the queen consort of his father Kamehameha I.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

However, Kamehameha II is known for the 'Ai Noa, when he broke traditional religious laws, leading to a lengthened period of taboo-breaking, the disbanding of the social class of priest, and the destruction of temples and images. With increased European contact, Christianity and Western influence began to appear during his reign. Kamehameha II was born in the month of Hanaiaʻeleʻele (corresponding to November) 1797 in Hilo, on the island of Hawaiʻi, the first born son of Kamehameha I with one of his high ranking wife Keōpuolani. It was originally planned that he would be born at the Kūkaniloko birth site on the island of Oʻahu but the Queen's sickness...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolphe Thiers — Contemporary (Born in 1797) (1797): Influential French statesman, historian, and President of the Third Republic.
• Alfred de Vigny — Contemporary (Born in 1797) (1797): French poet and early Romanticist, known for his plays and novels.
• Bakht Khan — Contemporary (Born in 1797) (1797): Commander-in-chief of Indian rebel forces during the 1857 Rebellion.
• Anton Bruckner — Contemporary (Born in 1824) (1824): Master of Austro-German Romanticism, renowned for monumental symphonies and sacred works.
• Bedřich Smetana — Contemporary (Born in 1824) (1824): Father of Czech Music, known for Má vlast and The Bartered Bride.
• Dayananda Saraswati — Contemporary (Born in 1824) (1824): Pioneering Hindu reformer and founder of the Arya Samaj, championing Vedic revival.
• Alphonse Mucha — Shared historical date (07-14 · Died) (1939): Master of Art Nouveau, famed for decorative posters and The Slav Epic.
• Ante Pavelić — Shared historical date (07-14 · Born) (1889): Croatian politician and dictator of the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945)
• Benjamin Bonneville — Historical peer (Born in 1797) (1797): American explorer and U.S. Army officer famed for Western expeditions.
• Carl Gustaf Mosander — Historical peer (Born in 1797) (1797): Pioneering Swedish chemist known for discovering rare earth elements like lanthanum.
• 1797 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1797
• 1824 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1824
• July 14 (07-14) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 14