Royal Governors of Hawaii - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Governor of Hawaii was the royal governor

Royal governor

Royal governor is an informal term used to refer to a colonial or provincial Governor, or by extension a Governor-General or similar gubernatorial official, appointed by a king or other monarch....

or viceroy

Viceroy

A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...

of the Island of Hawaii

Hawaii (island)

The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...

during the Kingdom of Hawaii

Kingdom of Hawaii

The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...

. The Governor of Hawaii was usually a Hawaiian chief or prince and could even be a woman. There were no restriction of women in government in the House of Nobles or Governship of the islands. The Governor had authority over the island of Hawaii the biggest island in the kingdom and it was up to the governor to appoint lieutanant governors to assisted them. The governor had replaced the old alii aimokus of the islands, but sovereignty remained with the king.

Role

In the 1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii

1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii

The 1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii titled Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawai’i Pae ‘Āina, Honolulu, 1840 was the first fully written constitution for the Kingdom of Hawaii...

it states:

There shall be four governors over these Hawaiian Islands - one for Hawaii - one for Maui and the Islands adjacent - one for Oahu, and one for Kauai and the adjacent Islands. All the governors, from Hawaii to Kauai shall be subject to the King.

The prerogatives of the governors and their duties, shall be as follows: Each governor shall have the general direction of the several tax gatherers of his island, and shall support them in the execution of all their orders which he considers to have been properly given, but shall pursue a course according to law, and not according to his own private views. He also shall preside over all the judges of his island, and shall see their sentences executed as above. He shall also appoint the judges and give them their certificates of office.

All the governors, from Hawaii to Kauai shall be subject not only to the King, but also to the Premier
Kuhina Nui
Kuhina Nui was a powerful office in the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1819 to 1864. It was usually held by a relative of the king and was the rough equivalent of the 19th century European office of Prime Minister or sometimes Regent.- Origin of the office :...

.

The governor shall be the superior over his particular island or islands. He shall have charge of the munitions of war, under the direction of the King, however, and the Premier. He shall have charge of the forts, the soldiery, the arms and all the implements of war. He shall receive the government dues and shall deliver over the same to the Premier. All important decisions rest with him in times of emergency, unless the King or Premier be present. He shall have charge of all the King's business on the island, the taxation, new improvements to be extended, and plans for the increase of wealth, and all officers shall be subject to him. He shall also have power to decide all questions, and transact all island business which is not by law assigned to others.

When either of the governors shall decease, then all the chiefs shall assemble at such place as the King shall appoint, and shall nominate a successor of the deceased governor, and whosoever they shall nominate and be approved by the King, he shall be the new governor.

List of Governors of Hawaii Island

#	Name	Picture	Birth	Death	Assumed Office	Left Office	Years in office	Notes	Monarch
Direct Rule by King Kamehameha I Kamehameha I Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule... .
1	Mokuhia		Appointed but assassinated soon after						Kamehameha I Kamehameha I Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
2	John Young Olohana John Young (Hawaii) John Young was a British subject who became an important military advisor to Kamehameha I during the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was left behind by Simon Metcalfe, captain of the American ship Eleanora, and along with a Welshmen Isaac Davis became a friend and advisor to Kamehameha...		circa 1742	December 17, 1835	circa 1802	circa 1812	10		Kamehameha I Kamehameha I Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
Direct Rule by King Kamehameha I Kamehameha I Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule... , later Queen Kaahumanu and King Kamehameha II Kamehameha II Kamehameha II was the second king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His birth name was Liholiho and full name was Kalaninui kua Liholiho i ke kapu Iolani... .
3	John Adams Kiiapalaoku Kuakini		circa 1789	December 9, 1844	circa 1820	April 1, 1831	11		Kamehameha III Kamehameha III Kamehameha III was the King of Hawaii from 1825 to 1854. His full Hawaiian name was Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa and then lengthened to Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kalani Waiakua Kalanikau Iokikilo Kiwalao i ke kapu Kamehameha when he ascended the throne.Under his...
3	John Adams Kiiapalaoku Kuakini		circa 1789	December 9, 1844	circa 1820	April 1, 1831	11		Kamehameha II Kamehameha II Kamehameha II was the second king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His birth name was Liholiho and full name was Kalaninui kua Liholiho i ke kapu Iolani...
4	Naihe Naihe Naihe was the chief orator and councilor during the founding of the Kingdom of Hawaii. A champion athlete in his youth, he negotiated for peace at several critical times, and helped preserve the remains of several ancient leaders.-Early life:...		?	December 29, 1831	April 1, 1831	December 29, 1831	8 months	acting	Kamehameha III Kamehameha III Kamehameha III was the King of Hawaii from 1825 to 1854. His full Hawaiian name was Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa and then lengthened to Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kalani Waiakua Kalanikau Iokikilo Kiwalao i ke kapu Kamehameha when he ascended the throne.Under his...
5	John Adams Kiiapalaoku Kuakini		circa 1789	December 9, 1844	circa 1833?	December 9, 1844	11	second time	Kamehameha III Kamehameha III Kamehameha III was the King of Hawaii from 1825 to 1854. His full Hawaiian name was Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa and then lengthened to Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kalani Waiakua Kalanikau Iokikilo Kiwalao i ke kapu Kamehameha when he ascended the throne.Under his...
6	William Pitt Leleiohoku I Leleiohoku I William Pitt Leleiohoku I was a Hawaiian noble during the Kingdom of Hawaii who married two notable princesses and served as Royal Governor of Hawaii island. On King Kalākaua's trip around the world, he noted that the Sultan of Johor resembled Leleiohoku.Leleiohoku was born on March 31, 1821 in...		March 31, 1821	October 21, 1848	December 9, 1844	circa 1846	2		Kamehameha III Kamehameha III Kamehameha III was the King of Hawaii from 1825 to 1854. His full Hawaiian name was Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa and then lengthened to Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kalani Waiakua Kalanikau Iokikilo Kiwalao i ke kapu Kamehameha when he ascended the throne.Under his...
7	George Luther Kapeau		?	?	circa 1846	circa 1855	9	acting until July 1850	Kamehameha III Kamehameha III Kamehameha III was the King of Hawaii from 1825 to 1854. His full Hawaiian name was Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa and then lengthened to Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kalani Waiakua Kalanikau Iokikilo Kiwalao i ke kapu Kamehameha when he ascended the throne.Under his...
8	Ruth Keelikōlani Keelikolani Princess Ruth Luka Keanolani Kauanahoahoa Keelikōlani , was a member of the Kamehameha family, the founding dynasty of the Kingdom of Hawaii. She served as Royal Governor of the Island of Hawaii. As primary heir to the Kamehameha family, Ruth became a landholder of what would become the Bernice...		February 9, 1826	May 24, 1883	January 15, 1855	circa 1874	19	Lt. Governor was Rufus Anderson Lyman Rufus Anderson Lyman Rufus Anderson Lyman was a son of a missionary who became a lawyer and politician in the Kingdom of Hawaii, founded the Paauhau Sugar Plantation Company, and had many notable descendants.-Life:...	Kamehameha IV Kamehameha IV Kamehameha IV, born Alexander Iolani Liholiho Keawenui , reigned as the fourth king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 11, 1855 to November 30, 1863.-Early life:...
									Kamehameha V Kamehameha V aloghaKamehameha V , born as Lot Kapuāiwa, reigned as monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1863 to 1872. His motto was "Onipa`a": immovable, firm, steadfast or determined; he worked diligently for his people and kingdom and was described as the last great traditional chief...
									Lunalilo Lunalilo Lunalilo, born William Charles Lunalilo , was king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 8, 1873 until February 3, 1874...
9	Samuel Kipi		?	circa 1879	March 2, 1874	March 29, 1879	5		Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
10	Miriam Kapili Kekāuluohi Likelike Likelike Miriam Kapili Kekāuluohi Likelike was a Princess of the Kingdom of Hawaii, sister of the last two ruling monarchs, mother of Princess Kaiulani, last heir to the throne, and mistress of the [[ʻĀinahau]] estate.-Life:...		January 13, 1851	February 2, 1887	March 29, 1879	circa 1880	1		Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
11	Victoria Kūhiō Kinoiki Kekaulike II Victoria Kinoiki Kekaulike Victoria Kūhiō Kinoiki Kekaulike II was a Princess of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:She was born on May 12, 1843, the youngest daughter of her father High Chief Kūhiō Kalanianaole of Hilo, and her mother Princess Kinoiki Kekaulike I from Kauai island...		May 12, 1843	January 18, 1884	September 2, 1880	January 8, 1884	4		Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
12	Virginia Kapooloku Poomaikelani Poomaikelani Virginia Kapooloku Poomaikelani was a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:She was born at Piihonua, Hilo, Hawaii Island on April 7, 1839, the second daughter of Princess Kinoike Kekaulike of Kauai and High Chief Kūhiō Kalanianaole of Hilo.She was sister to Queen Kapiolani who...		April 7, 1839	October 22, 1895	January 21, 1884	circa 1886	2		Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
13	Ululani Lewai Baker		circa 1858	circa 1902	October 15, 1886	circa 1888	2		Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
14	John Tamatoa Baker		circa 1852	September 7, 1921	February 8, 1892	February 28, 1893		husband of Governor Ululani Baker	Liliuokalani

Role

List of Governors of Hawaii Island

See also