Baptized as a Christian and educated at the Royal School , she and her siblings and cousins were proclaimed eligible for the throne by King Kamehameha III. The couple had no biological children but adopted several. In , after her younger brother Leleiohoku II 's death, she was proclaimed as heir apparent to the throne.
During her reign, she attempted to draft a new constitution which would restore the power of the monarchy and the voting rights of the economically disenfranchised. Stevens to protect American interests, which rendered the monarchy unable to protect itself. In , at the age of four, she began her education at the Chiefs' Children's School later known as the Royal School. She, along with her classmates, had been formally proclaimed by Kamehameha III as eligible for the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Lydia Paki" was "the highest unmarried woman in the Kingdom". Marriage consideration had begun early on for her. American merchant Gorham D. They shared an interest in music composition and had known each other from childhood. He had been betrothed from birth to Princess Victoria, the king's sister, but disagreements with her brothers prevented the marriage from materializing.
She ultimately broke off the engagement because of the urging of King Kamehameha IV and the opposition of the Bishops to the union.
During a court excursion, Dominis escorted her home despite falling from his horse and breaking his leg. King Kamehameha IV and other members of the royal family were honored guests. The couple moved into the Dominises' residence, Washington Place in Honolulu.
