Kuini Liliha (–1839) was a High Chiefess (aliʻi) and noblewoman who served the Kingdom of Hawaii as royal governor of Oʻahu island. She administered the island from 1829 to 1831 following the death of her husband Boki. Early life She was born in 1802. Her father was Ulumāheihei Hoapili, a son of Kameʻeiamoku, one of the nīʻaupiʻo (highest noble rank) twin brothers. Her mother was High Chiefess Kalilikauoha of Maui, who was the daughter of King Kahekili II of Maui and his half-sister bride Luahiwa. Some genealogists say Liliha was only adopted by Hoapili, but the practice known as hānai was considered a bond as strong as a blood relation. According to them, she was the biological daughter of Koakanu, a son or grandson of Kaolohaka-a-Keawe, one of the many issues of Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku; and his wife High Chiefess Loeau. Her name means "heartsick queen" in the Hawaiian language. She had no siblings. Liliha was initially married to Kahalaiʻa Luanuʻu, a nephew of Kamehameha I. However, his uncle Boki, an advisor and friend to King Kamehameha II, took her from Kahalaiʻa as his wife after his previous wife Likelike was taken by his older brother Kalanimoku. United Kingdom Boki, Liliha, and Mataio Kekūanāoʻa were principal members of the entourage that accompanied King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu on an 1824 diplomatic tour of the United Kingdom, visiting King George IV. The entire delegation contracted the measles, since native Hawaiians had no immunity to the disease. As a result, Queen Kamāmalu and several chiefs died, including Kamehameha II who was so distraught after his Queen's death that he died in Liliha's arms. Boki and Liliha survived the measles and Boki took charge of what was left of the delegation. They managed to secure agreements of friendship from the British government. The Kingdom of Hawaii also became a protectorate of the British military under those agreements. Boki and Liliha returned to Oʻahu with the bodies of Kamehameha II and Kamāmalu in 1825 on the British warship . Catholicism Liliha became embroiled in the dispute over freedom of religion in the kingdom. Kaʻahumanu was the widow of Kamehameha I, and later ruled as Queen Regent during the reigns of both Kamehameha II and Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III). She had been influenced by the Protestant missionaries in Honolulu and was baptized into the Congregational church. Heeding the advice of her Congregationalist ministers, Kaʻahumanu convinced King Kamehameha