Keawenuiaumi
Encyclopedia
Keawe-nui-a-'Umi was the 16th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii
from 1545 to 1575. He was the sovereign king or chief of the island of Hawaii. His principal residence seems to have been at Hilo. He was also called Keawenui (Keawe the Great) and was Keawe I.
, 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. He succeeded on the death of his elder brother Keali'iokaloa in 1545.
's death the great district chiefs of the island of Hawaii refused to acknowledge the sovereignty or kingship of Keawenui-a-Umi, the younger brother of Kealiiokaloa. War followed, but the revolted chiefs seem to have been deficient in organisation or co-operation, for Keawenui-a-Umi defeated each and all of them, killed them, and kept their bones bundles as trophies. In the legend and chant of Lonoikamakahiki, the son of Keawenui, the names of the six district chiefs whom his father defeated are given: Palahalaha, son of Wahilani of Kohala; Pumaia, son of Wanua of Hamakua; Hilo-Hamakua, son of Kulukulua of Hilo; Lililehua, son of Huaa of Puna; Kahalemilo, son of Imaikalani of Kau; Moihala, son of Hoe-a-Pae of Kona.
After these revolted chiefs had been subdued and disposed of (it is said that the revolted chiefs were conquered and captured in a severe battle fought at Puumaneo, in Kohala
district), Keawenui restored order and quiet in the island of Hawaii, on the pattern of his father, Umi. Keawenui is said to have been of a cheerful and liberal disposition, and not only frequently travelled around his own dominions of Hawaii, but also visited the courts of the sovereigns of the other islands. His visit to Maui, and his sumptuous entertainment by Kamalalawalu, the 18th Moi of Maui, is particularly described.
to escapte the anger of Keawenui, and lived there in retirement and disguise. Some time after Pakaa's flight - how long is not stated, but several months may be inferred - Keawenui discovered that the accusations brought against Pakaa had been unjust and malicious, and, filled with sorrow and regret for the loss of his old friend and the injustice done him, he resolved to seek him in person and be reconciled to him. The account of this voyage of discovery by Keawenui-a-Umi was a favourite subject for listening ears in the olden time. After Keawenui's reconciliation with Pakaa, no further event of note during his reign has been recorded in the traditions.
and has been repeated since, but may have been of older origin.
Of the many of his known wives, he married Ho'o-pili-ahae, Ha-o-kalani Kane-alae, and his half-sister Alii Kamolanui-a-Umi, youngest daughter of 'Umi-a-Liloa
, 14th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, by his sixth wife, Ohenahena. He married fourth Hakau-kalala-pukea, and fifth his niece Alii Koihalauwailaua (Koihalawai), daughter of Kahakumakalina, 14th Alii Aimoku of Kauai, by his first wife, Alii Akahiilikapu. He married a sixth time to an unknown chiefess.
, the son of Keliiokaloa; and this was probably the cause of the commotion and uprising of the great district chiefs in the early part of Keawenui's reign. Thus, when Keawenui was on his deathbed, he solemnly, and in the presence of his chiefs, conferred the sovereignty, the dignity, and prerogatives of Moi on Kaikilani
, the daughter of Kukailani, and who was the joint-wife or successive wife of his two sons, Kanaloakuaana and Lonoikamakahiki.
In the allottment of lands among the chiefs and members of the deceased Moi's family - which, since the time of Keawe-nui-a-Umi, appears to have become a custom on the death of a Moi. It had been the custom since the days of Keawenui-a-Umi, on the death of a Moi and the accession of a new one, to distribute and redivide the lands of the island between the chiefs and favourites of the new monarch.
He died in 1575, having had issue, seven sons and six daughters.
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
from 1545 to 1575. He was the sovereign king or chief of the island of Hawaii. His principal residence seems to have been at Hilo. He was also called Keawenui (Keawe the Great) and was Keawe I.
Birth
He born around 1505 was the second son of 'Umi-a-Liloa, 14th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, by his third wife and half-sister, Alii Kapukini, daughter of LiloaLiloa
Liloa ruled as the 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii from 1465 to 1495. He was sovereign king or chief of the island of Hawaii.He was the son of King Kihanuilulumoku, 11th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii and Waoilea. He succeeded on the death of his father in 1465. He was a ruling chief, a sacred high chief who...
, 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. He succeeded on the death of his elder brother Keali'iokaloa in 1545.
Accession
After the death of Keliiokaloa there supervened a season of internal war, anarchy, and confusion, which has left its blurred image on the traditions of the country, it appear that at KealiiokaloaKealiiokaloa
Keali'iokaloa was the 15th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, from 1525 to 1545. He was the sovereign king or chief of the island of Hawaii.Keali'iokaloa was the eldest son of 'Umi-a-Liloa, 14th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, by his third wife and half-sister, Alii Kapukini-a-Liloa, daughter of Liloa, 12th Alii...
's death the great district chiefs of the island of Hawaii refused to acknowledge the sovereignty or kingship of Keawenui-a-Umi, the younger brother of Kealiiokaloa. War followed, but the revolted chiefs seem to have been deficient in organisation or co-operation, for Keawenui-a-Umi defeated each and all of them, killed them, and kept their bones bundles as trophies. In the legend and chant of Lonoikamakahiki, the son of Keawenui, the names of the six district chiefs whom his father defeated are given: Palahalaha, son of Wahilani of Kohala; Pumaia, son of Wanua of Hamakua; Hilo-Hamakua, son of Kulukulua of Hilo; Lililehua, son of Huaa of Puna; Kahalemilo, son of Imaikalani of Kau; Moihala, son of Hoe-a-Pae of Kona.
After these revolted chiefs had been subdued and disposed of (it is said that the revolted chiefs were conquered and captured in a severe battle fought at Puumaneo, in Kohala
Kohala
Kohala may refer to:*Kohala, Hawaii, two districts on the island of Hawaii*Kohala , an extinct volcano in Hawaii*Kohala, Pakistan, a city*Kohala Bridge, a bridge*Kohala, Jalandhar a village in Punjab, India...
district), Keawenui restored order and quiet in the island of Hawaii, on the pattern of his father, Umi. Keawenui is said to have been of a cheerful and liberal disposition, and not only frequently travelled around his own dominions of Hawaii, but also visited the courts of the sovereigns of the other islands. His visit to Maui, and his sumptuous entertainment by Kamalalawalu, the 18th Moi of Maui, is particularly described.
Incident with Pakaa
One of his most trusted friends and 'Pakaa' (royal treasurer) was a man named Pakaa, who for many years had served him faithfully and well. But at the court of Keawenui, as at many other courts, jealous and intriguing rivals conspired the downfall of Pakaa, and after a while they succeeded. Pakaa fled to MolokaiMolokai
Molokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
to escapte the anger of Keawenui, and lived there in retirement and disguise. Some time after Pakaa's flight - how long is not stated, but several months may be inferred - Keawenui discovered that the accusations brought against Pakaa had been unjust and malicious, and, filled with sorrow and regret for the loss of his old friend and the injustice done him, he resolved to seek him in person and be reconciled to him. The account of this voyage of discovery by Keawenui-a-Umi was a favourite subject for listening ears in the olden time. After Keawenui's reconciliation with Pakaa, no further event of note during his reign has been recorded in the traditions.
Marriage
Keawenui-a-Umi has been greatly blamed by some genealogists for his numerous relationship with women of low digree and with the daughters of the common people, thereby impairing the purity of the aristrocratic blood and giving rise to pretensions that in after ages it became difficult to disprove. This objection dates back to the turbulent times of the early part of the reign of Kamehameha IKamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
and has been repeated since, but may have been of older origin.
Of the many of his known wives, he married Ho'o-pili-ahae, Ha-o-kalani Kane-alae, and his half-sister Alii Kamolanui-a-Umi, youngest daughter of 'Umi-a-Liloa
'Umi-a-Liloa
Umi-a-Liloa ruled as the 14th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii island from 1510 to 1525.-Royal Birth:Umi-a-Liloa, commonly known as Umi, was younger son of Liloa, 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. Umi's mother Akahiakuleana was of much lower rank and distantly related to Liloa...
, 14th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, by his sixth wife, Ohenahena. He married fourth Hakau-kalala-pukea, and fifth his niece Alii Koihalauwailaua (Koihalawai), daughter of Kahakumakalina, 14th Alii Aimoku of Kauai, by his first wife, Alii Akahiilikapu. He married a sixth time to an unknown chiefess.
Successor
There can be little doubt that Keawenui himself, as well as the public opinion of the chiefs and landholders of Hawaii, considered his occupancy of the dignity and position of Moi of Hawaii as an usurpation of the rights of his nephew, KukailaniKukailani
Kukailani was a Hawaiian chief a father of Queen Kaikilani 17th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii.He married Ka'ohukiokalani. The marriage between Kukailani and Ka'ohukiokalani was a half-brother/half-sister union....
, the son of Keliiokaloa; and this was probably the cause of the commotion and uprising of the great district chiefs in the early part of Keawenui's reign. Thus, when Keawenui was on his deathbed, he solemnly, and in the presence of his chiefs, conferred the sovereignty, the dignity, and prerogatives of Moi on Kaikilani
Kaikilani
Kaikilani was the 17th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii Island 1575 - 1605. She ruled as the sovereign Queen or Chiefess of the island of Hawaii. She was also known as Ka'ikilani'ali'iwahine'opuna. She shared power with her two husbands, but she was the ruler, not them. Kaikilani on Venus is named after...
, the daughter of Kukailani, and who was the joint-wife or successive wife of his two sons, Kanaloakuaana and Lonoikamakahiki.
In the allottment of lands among the chiefs and members of the deceased Moi's family - which, since the time of Keawe-nui-a-Umi, appears to have become a custom on the death of a Moi. It had been the custom since the days of Keawenui-a-Umi, on the death of a Moi and the accession of a new one, to distribute and redivide the lands of the island between the chiefs and favourites of the new monarch.
He died in 1575, having had issue, seven sons and six daughters.