Nahienaena

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Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena (Harrieta Keōpūolani Nāhiʻenaʻena; c. 1815 - December 30, 1836) was a Hawaiian princess.

This sacred muli loa (last born) child of Paiea Kūnuiakea Kamehameha (Kamehameha I) and Kalanikauikaʻalaneo Kai Keōpūolani brought into this life with all of the immense kuleana (privilege and responsibility) that would accompany someone of such high birth. She was born at Keauhou, South Kona, Moku o Keawe (Hawaii Island). Her two older brothers, hiapo (first born) Liholiho, and Kauikeaouli were to become Kings Kamehameha II and III.^[1]

She was in love with his brother Kauikeaouli. This divine marriage and the issue from it "would mingle sacred blood and establish the eternal kingdom." The natives strongly encourage their marriage but the Missionary were totally against it calling it incest a sin. The practice of incest in the royal family weren't uncommon in Hawaii, her maternal grandparents were half sister and brothers. She would later marry William Pitt Leleiohoku I, the son of William Pitt Kalanimoku Prime Minister of Hawaii. They had no issue.

She died December 30, 1836 near Hale Uluhe, the home of her brother, Kauikeaouli. She gave birth to a child that live for an hour. It was probaby fathered by her brother. Nahi'ena'ena never recovered from child birth. She died on December 30, 1836. After nearly five weeks of intense grieving her body was brought in procession to Kawaiahaʻo Church for services. The procession was led by traditional warriors and kāhuna laʻau lapaʻau (healers).(Ke Kumu. Feb.15,1837. Honolulu) On 12 April 1837 her body was brought aboard the ship Don Qixote, purchased and renamed the Kai Keōpūolani by her brother, to the ancient sacred resting place of Moku`ula in Lāhainā, Māui to be buried near their mother Keōpūolani.

The last years of her life were one of illness and dejection. She gave birth to a son on September 1836. The baby lived for only a few hours. Nahi'ena'ena never recovered from child birth. She died on December 30, 1836. Her death is reported to have had a sobering affect on her brother, the King. He turned from dissolute ways to concern for welfare of his kingdom.

Marjorie Jane Putnam Sinclair wrote Nahienaena, Sacred Daughter of Hawaii base on the tragic life of the princess.