Laura Konia
Encyclopedia
Laura Kanaholo Kōnia was a Hawaiian princess. Her grandfather was Kamehameha I
, who in 1810 united all of the Hawaiian Islands
founding the Kingdom of Hawaii
. She was the mother of Bernice Pauahi Pākī
, the founder of Kamehameha Schools
.
Although Kaoleioku was Kamehameha's illegitimate son by his aunt, Kanekapolei, he was recognized by his father, and his son and two daughters (Kōnia and her half-sister Kalanipauahi
) were declared Princes and Princesses.
She married High Chief Abner Kuhooheiheipahu Pākī
at Honolulu, Oahu
. Their marriage was one of the first western Christian ceremonies in the Hawaiian Islands. They married at the recently built Kawaiahao Church on December 5, 1828.
Kōnia and Pākī lived at Lahaina when that was the capital, and the King and the Premier Auhea
had their residence there. The king finally transferred the seat of government to Honolulu, Pākī and Konia accompanying him. By 1840, King Kamehameha III
had a written Hawaiian Constitution
and established a legislature. She and her husband were both among members of the House of Nobles
from 1840 to 1851.
On December 19, 1831 in Honolulu Kōnia and Pākī had a daughter, named Bernice Pauahi Pākī
after Kōnia's half sister, Kalanipauahi
, who was saved as an infant from a fire. She let her daughter be adopted (the Hawaiian hānai tradition) to Kuhina-nui Kaahumanu II, Elizabeth Kīnaʻu
.
Kōnia betrothed her daughter to Kīnaʻu's son Prince Lot Kapuāiwa
in the Hawaiian practice of hoopalau. Bernice had no affection for Prince Lot. Bernice fell in love with Charles Reed Bishop
and married him in 1850, when Bernice was 18 years old. She and her husband Pākī strongly opposed this union. The wedding had to be held by the Cookes
at Chiefs' Children's School. She and Pākī did not attend the wedding, hoping that the princess would change her mind and marry Prince Lot. She and her husband later accepted their new son-in-law and are reconciled with Bernice on the advice of Princess Victoria Kamāmalu
on August 2, 1851.
Boston
merchant Gorham D. Gilman says of Kōnia:
Kōnia was a poet and singer in the ancient Hawaiian tradition. In accordance with Hawaiian hānai tradition, she adopted Lydia Kamakaeha, the daughter of Caeser Kapaakea
and Ane Keohokālole, soon to be the last monarch Liliuokalani. Kōnia was the main influence of her daughter's success as a musician during her early years. Before Lydia's schooling at Chiefs' Children's School, Kōnia had Lydia brought to her daily.
Her foster daughter Liliuokalani said "I knew no other father or mother than my foster-parents, no other sister than Bernice." Kōnia died during the influenza epidemic of Hawaii on July 2, 1857. The death of Pākī and Kōnia placed Liliuokalani under the charge of Bishop and Bernice.
Kamehameha 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...
, who in 1810 united all of the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
founding the Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
. She was the mother of Bernice Pauahi Pākī
Bernice Pauahi Bishop
Bernice Pauahi Bishop , born Bernice Pauahi Pākī, was a Hawaiian princess, philanthropist, alii, and direct descendant of the royal House of Kamehameha. She was the great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I and last surviving heir...
, the founder of Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools , formerly called Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate , is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution that specializes in Native Hawaiian language and cultural education. It is located in Hawaii and operates three campuses: Kapālama , Pukalani , and Keaau...
.
Life
She was the youngest daughter of High Chief Pauli Kaōleiokū by his second wife, High Chiefess Luahine Kahailiopua.Although Kaoleioku was Kamehameha's illegitimate son by his aunt, Kanekapolei, he was recognized by his father, and his son and two daughters (Kōnia and her half-sister Kalanipauahi
Kalanipauahi
Kalani Pauahi was a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the House of Kamehameha.-Life:Pauahi was born circa 1804....
) were declared Princes and Princesses.
She married High Chief Abner Kuhooheiheipahu Pākī
Paki
Paki may refer to:*Paki, California, former settlement in Butte County*Paki, a derogatory term for a person from Pakistan*Pākī , Hawaiian high chief during the reign of King Kamehameha III...
at Honolulu, Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
. Their marriage was one of the first western Christian ceremonies in the Hawaiian Islands. They married at the recently built Kawaiahao Church on December 5, 1828.
Kōnia and Pākī lived at Lahaina when that was the capital, and the King and the Premier Auhea
Kaahumanu III
Queen consort Miriam Auhea Kalani Kui Kawakiu o Kekāuluohi Kealiiuhiwaihanau o Kalani Makahonua Ahilapalapa Kai Wikapu o Kaleilei a Kalakua also known as Kaahumanu III , was Kuhina Nui of the Kingdom of Hawaii, a queen consort of both King Kamehameha I and Kamehameha II, and mother of another...
had their residence there. The king finally transferred the seat of government to Honolulu, Pākī and Konia accompanying him. By 1840, King Kamehameha III
Kamehameha III
Kamehameha III was the King of Hawaii from 1825 to 1854. His full Hawaiian name was Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa and then lengthened to Keaweaweula Kiwalao Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa Kalani Waiakua Kalanikau Iokikilo Kiwalao i ke kapu Kamehameha when he ascended the throne.Under his...
had a written Hawaiian Constitution
1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii
The 1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii titled Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawai’i Pae ‘Āina, Honolulu, 1840 was the first fully written constitution for the Kingdom of Hawaii...
and established a legislature. She and her husband were both among members of the House of Nobles
Legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom
The Legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom was the bicameral legislature of the Kingdom of Hawaii. A royal legislature was first provided by the 1840 Constitution and the 1852 Constitution was the first to use the term "Legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom", and the first to subject the monarch to...
from 1840 to 1851.
On December 19, 1831 in Honolulu Kōnia and Pākī had a daughter, named Bernice Pauahi Pākī
Bernice Pauahi Bishop
Bernice Pauahi Bishop , born Bernice Pauahi Pākī, was a Hawaiian princess, philanthropist, alii, and direct descendant of the royal House of Kamehameha. She was the great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I and last surviving heir...
after Kōnia's half sister, Kalanipauahi
Kalanipauahi
Kalani Pauahi was a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the House of Kamehameha.-Life:Pauahi was born circa 1804....
, who was saved as an infant from a fire. She let her daughter be adopted (the Hawaiian hānai tradition) to Kuhina-nui Kaahumanu II, Elizabeth Kīnaʻu
Kaahumanu II
Princess Kalani Ahumanu i Kaliko o Iwi Kauhipua o Kīnau, also known as Elizabeth Kīnau was Kuhina Nui of the Kingdom of Hawaii as Kaahumanu II, Queen regent and Dowager Queen.-Life:...
.
Kōnia betrothed her daughter to Kīnaʻu's son Prince Lot Kapuāiwa
Kamehameha V
aloghaKamehameha V , born as Lot Kapuāiwa, reigned as monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1863 to 1872. His motto was "Onipa`a": immovable, firm, steadfast or determined; he worked diligently for his people and kingdom and was described as the last great traditional chief...
in the Hawaiian practice of hoopalau. Bernice had no affection for Prince Lot. Bernice fell in love with Charles Reed Bishop
Charles Reed Bishop
Charles Reed Bishop was a businessman and philanthropist in Hawaii.Born in Glens Falls, New York, he sailed to Hawaii in 1846 at the age of 24, and made his home there. Bishop was one of the first trustees of and a major donor to the Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii...
and married him in 1850, when Bernice was 18 years old. She and her husband Pākī strongly opposed this union. The wedding had to be held by the Cookes
Amos Starr Cooke
Amos Starr Cooke was an educator and businessman in the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was patriarch of a family that influenced Hawaii during the 20th century.-Life:Amos Starr Cooke was born in Danbury, Connecticut, December 1, 1810....
at Chiefs' Children's School. She and Pākī did not attend the wedding, hoping that the princess would change her mind and marry Prince Lot. She and her husband later accepted their new son-in-law and are reconciled with Bernice on the advice of Princess Victoria Kamāmalu
Kaahumanu IV
Victoria Kamāmalu Kaahumanu IV , was Kuhina Nui of Hawaii and its crown princess. Princess Kamāmalu is one of Hawaii's less notable historical figures...
on August 2, 1851.
Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
merchant Gorham D. Gilman says of Kōnia:
" She was one of nature's true noblewomen, such as were to be found in that then unenlightended country. She possessed the elements of a strong character and was a recognized force, not only in administration of her own affairs, but when the King, Kamehameha III., formed his first body of high chiefs into a council of the government, she, with a few other of like birth, were selected as his advisers. She was naturally of gentle manners, and physically was rather short of stature, though inclined to stoutness. The daughter, Bernice, inherited her mother's grace of manner, and those qualities whereby all recognized her inheritance of birth and blood. Pākī was a fitting companion for Kōnia."
Kōnia was a poet and singer in the ancient Hawaiian tradition. In accordance with Hawaiian hānai tradition, she adopted Lydia Kamakaeha, the daughter of Caeser Kapaakea
Kapaakea
Caesar Kaluaiku Kapaakea was a Hawaiian chief who was the patriarch of the House of Kalākaua that ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii during the last of its days.-Biography:...
and Ane Keohokālole, soon to be the last monarch Liliuokalani. Kōnia was the main influence of her daughter's success as a musician during her early years. Before Lydia's schooling at Chiefs' Children's School, Kōnia had Lydia brought to her daily.
Her foster daughter Liliuokalani said "I knew no other father or mother than my foster-parents, no other sister than Bernice." Kōnia died during the influenza epidemic of Hawaii on July 2, 1857. The death of Pākī and Kōnia placed Liliuokalani under the charge of Bishop and Bernice.