1824: Kamehameha II dies at 27 of measles

King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamamalu of Hawai‘i sail to London to seek an audience with King George IV to negotiate an alliance. After a ceremonial visit to the Royal Military Asylum, which houses hundreds of British soldiers’ children, nearly the entire Hawaiian delegation catches measles. Within the month, Queen Kamamalu, 22, dies, followed by the 27-year-old king. Great Britain transports their bodies home to Hawai‘i.

Until 1824, measles was unknown in Hawai‘i. But following the deaths of King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamamalu, measles and other infectious diseases, including influenza, arrive in the islands. Successive epidemics kill as much as one-third of the Native Hawaiian population.

Theme

Epidemics

Region

Hawai‘i