Edward Keliiahonui
Encyclopedia
Edward Abnel Keliiahonui Piikoi (1869–1887) was a prince of the Kingdom of Hawaii
. His second name was probably based on "Abner", but sounds for "r" and "l" are used interchangeably in some dialects of the Hawaiian language
.
, the last ruling King of Kauai. He was named after his great-uncle Abner (or Abnel) Kealiiahonui
who was sometimes called the last prince of Kauai. His mother was Princess Victoria Kinoiki Kekaulike
was sister of Queen Kapiolani
. His father was High Chief David Kahalepouli Piikoi, first cousin of King Kalākaua.
His brothers were David Kawānanakoa
and Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole
. He was sent abroad along with his two brothers to Saint Matthew's School, a private Episcopal
military school in San Mateo, California
. His two brothers would also attend.
, ending the Kamehameha Dynasty
. Keliiahonui was styled His Highness and given the title of Prince
in 1883 along with his brothers. He was fifth-in-line of succession to the Hawaiian throne
after Liliuokalani, Likelike
, Kaiulani, and his brother David Kawānanakoa. He was elevated to fourth-in-line to the throne after Princess Likelike's death seven months before his own. The three brothers were known as the Piikoi Brothers or the "Three Princes". Being the middle son he was in a difficult position. A year younger than his brother David, he was physically smaller than either of his brothers. He also fought illness more frequently. His brothers were adopted sons of the king and queen. Due to his hānai to his aunt Princess Poomaikelani
, he was not thought of as a foster son of King Kalākaua or Queen Kapiolani.
Edward was sent home ill from school in California
. He died of scarlet fever
shortly after arriving home on September 21, 1887 aged 18. He was buried in the Kalakaua Crypt, Royal Mausoleum
called Mauna Ala in Nuuanu Valley, Oahu.
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...
. His second name was probably based on "Abner", but sounds for "r" and "l" are used interchangeably in some dialects of the Hawaiian language
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
.
Early life
Keliiahonui was born May 13, 1869 as an alii or Hawaiian nobleman. His genealogy centered mainly on his ancestry as an heir of his great-grandfather KaumualiiKaumualii
Kaumualii was the last independent Alii Aimoku of Kauai and Niihau before becoming a vassal of Kamehameha I of the unified Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810...
, the last ruling King of Kauai. He was named after his great-uncle Abner (or Abnel) Kealiiahonui
Kealiiahonui
Aaron Kealiiahonui was member of the nobility of the Kingdom of Kauai and the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Family life:Keliiahonui was born August 17, 1800. His father was Kaumualii, the last ruling King of Kauai. His mother was Kaapuwai Kapuaamoku. His father agreed to become a vassal to Kamehameha I in...
who was sometimes called the last prince of Kauai. His mother was Princess Victoria Kinoiki Kekaulike
Victoria Kinoiki Kekaulike
Victoria Kūhiō Kinoiki Kekaulike II was a Princess of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:She was born on May 12, 1843, the youngest daughter of her father High Chief Kūhiō Kalanianaole of Hilo, and her mother Princess Kinoiki Kekaulike I from Kauai island...
was sister of Queen Kapiolani
Queen Kapiolani
Queen Kapiolani formally Esther Kapiolani or Esther Kapiolani Napelakapuokakae, was married to King David Kalākaua and reigned as Queen Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:...
. His father was High Chief David Kahalepouli Piikoi, first cousin of King Kalākaua.
His brothers were David Kawānanakoa
David Kawananakoa
Prince David Laamea Kahalepouli Kinoiki Kawānanakoa Piikoi , was the patriarch of the House of Kawānanakoa. He was in the line of succession to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii around the time of the kingdom's overthrow.-Life:...
and Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole
Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole
Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaole Piikoi was a prince of the reigning House of Kalākaua when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown by international businessmen in 1893...
. He was sent abroad along with his two brothers to Saint Matthew's School, a private Episcopal
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
military school in San Mateo, California
San Mateo, California
San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of approximately 100,000 , it is one of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, located between Burlingame to the north, Foster City to the east, Belmont to the south,...
. His two brothers would also attend.
Prince of the Kalākaua Dynasty
In 1874 the Kalākaua Dynasty ascended to the throne of the Kingdom of HawaiiKingdom 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...
, ending the Kamehameha Dynasty
House of Kamehameha
The House of Kamehameha , or the Kamehameha Dynasty, was the reigning family of the Kingdom of Hawaii between the unification of the islands by Kamehameha I in 1810 and the death of Kamehameha V in 1872...
. Keliiahonui was styled His Highness and given the title of Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
in 1883 along with his brothers. He was fifth-in-line of succession to the Hawaiian throne
Line of succession to the Hawaiian throne
The line of succession to the Kingdom of Hawaii throne has been maintained through modern times.-History:Before the reign of King Kalākaua there had never been an established line of succession in the Kingdom of Hawaii, except when King Kamehameha III chose fifteen children from the Chiefs'...
after Liliuokalani, Likelike
Likelike
Miriam Kapili Kekāuluohi Likelike was a Princess of the Kingdom of Hawaii, sister of the last two ruling monarchs, mother of Princess Kaiulani, last heir to the throne, and mistress of the [[ʻĀinahau]] estate.-Life:...
, Kaiulani, and his brother David Kawānanakoa. He was elevated to fourth-in-line to the throne after Princess Likelike's death seven months before his own. The three brothers were known as the Piikoi Brothers or the "Three Princes". Being the middle son he was in a difficult position. A year younger than his brother David, he was physically smaller than either of his brothers. He also fought illness more frequently. His brothers were adopted sons of the king and queen. Due to his hānai to his aunt Princess Poomaikelani
Poomaikelani
Virginia Kapooloku Poomaikelani was a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:She was born at Piihonua, Hilo, Hawaii Island on April 7, 1839, the second daughter of Princess Kinoike Kekaulike of Kauai and High Chief Kūhiō Kalanianaole of Hilo.She was sister to Queen Kapiolani who...
, he was not thought of as a foster son of King Kalākaua or Queen Kapiolani.
Edward was sent home ill from school in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He died of scarlet fever
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a disease caused by exotoxin released by Streptococcus pyogenes. Once a major cause of death, it is now effectively treated with antibiotics...
shortly after arriving home on September 21, 1887 aged 18. He was buried in the Kalakaua Crypt, Royal Mausoleum
Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii
The Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii, known as Mauna Ala in the Hawaiian language, is the final resting place of Hawaii's two prominent royal families: the Kamehameha Dynasty and the Kalākaua Dynasty.-Description:...
called Mauna Ala in Nuuanu Valley, Oahu.