Kaumu'alii (c. 1778 – May 26, 1824), also known as George Kaumualii, was the last independent ali'i Aimoku, or ruler, of the islands of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau before becoming a vassal of King Kamehameha I of Hawai'i in 1810. He was the 23rd high chief of Kauai and was called king in several Western sources.

Kaumualii was the only son of lord Alii Kaeokulani (c 1754-94), regent of Maui and Molokai, co-king of Kauai, himself a younger son of Kekaulike the 23rd Alii Aimoku and Mo'i of Maui; and his wife Kamakahelei of Kauai and Niihau. In 1794 the 16-yo Kaumualii succeeded his mother Queen Kamakahelei, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Kauai, as king of Kauai, upon the death of her husband and Kaumualii's father, the real ruler. He reigned under the regency of Chief Inamoo until he came of age. His first wife and queen was his half-sister Kawalu of Oahu, and his second his niece Kaapuwai Kapuaamoku of Koloa, and the ultimate seventh the Hawaiian Queen regent Kaahumanu (1768 – 1832).

Kaua'i and Ni'ihau had eluded Kamehameha's control since he first tried to add them to his kingdom in 1796, a year after Kaumualii became ali'i nui. At that time the governor of island of Hawaii led a rebellion against Kamehameha, forcing him to return home. He tried again in 1803, but disease ravaged his armies, and Kamehameha called a retreat to heal his men and work on his strategy. Over the next years the king amassed the largest armada Hawai'i had ever seen – foreign-built schooners and massive war canoes, armed with cannon and carrying his vast army. Kaumualii decided to negotiate a peaceful resolution with Kamehameha rather than resort to bloodshed. The move was supported by Kamehameha as well as the people of Kua'i and the foreign sandalwood merchants on the island, whose trade was hurt by the constant feuding. In 1810, Kaumualii became Kamehameha's vassal, and Hawai'i was united under one sovereign for the first time. Kaumualii continued to serve as Kamehameha's governor of Kauai'i.

Kamehameha died in 1819, and the Hawaiians grew fearful that Kaumualii would sever Kaua'i's relationship with the united Hawai'i. Kamehameha's widow Elizabeth Ka'ahumanu, who exerted much political force in kingdom, kidnapped Kaumualii and forced him into marrying her, ensuring the island chain's union remained unbroken during the reigns of Kamehameha's successors. They remained married until his death in 1824. Kaumualii was popular both among his people and the foreigners who visited and worked on his islands. Captain George Vancouver, who had given the young king a flock of sheep as a gift, was thanked with a lavish banquet and described his host glowingly. Kaumualii was described as handsome, likeable, and courteous, as well as a capable leader.

After Kaumualii's death in 1824, his son and heir prince Keoki Peke Kaumu-alii Hume-hume (1797 – 1826, also known as George Tamoree), attempted to re-establish the independence on Kauai, but was also eventually captured and taken to Honolulu. King Kaumualii's granddaughter Alii Kapiolani (1834 – 99) of Hilo (also known as lady Ester Kapiolani or Julia Kapiolani, eldest daughter of Kaumualii's daughter Princess Kinoike Kekaulike) married a certain Alii David Kalakaua, postmaster-general of the Kingdom of Hawaii. In 1874, the couple was elected by the Hawaiian legislature as King and Queen of the Hawaiian Islands, starting to reign as king Kalakaua I and Queen Kapiolani. Another granddaughter, Kapiolani's youngest sister Victoria Kuhio Kinoike Kekaulike (1843 – 84) of Hilo was later elevated as Governor of the island of Kauai, Princess and Royal Highness. Her progeny are called the House of Kawananakoa and are regarded as "legitimist" claimants to the crown of the now defunct Hawaiian Monarchy.

1778 births | 1824 deaths | History of Hawaii