Governors of Oahu
Encyclopedia
The Governor of Oahu was the royal governor
or viceroy
of the island of Oahu
in the Kingdom of Hawaii
. The Governor of Oahu resided at Honolulu and was usually a Hawaiian chief or prince and could even be a woman. The Governor had authority over the island of Oahu and Honolulu the kingdom's capital and it was up to the governor to appoint lieutanant governors to assisted them. The governor had replaced the old alii aimokus of the islands, but sovereignty remained with the king. Either the governor or the monarch had the power to call in foreign assistance in time of troubles. This occurred a few times, including the uprising of the Emmaites in 1874 when John Owen Dominis
called for British and American assistance. Neither the governor nor monarch called for foreign assistance in January 1893 when John L. Stevens
sent American troops into Honolulu.
it states:
Royal governor
Royal governor is an informal term used to refer to a colonial or provincial Governor, or by extension a Governor-General or similar gubernatorial official, appointed by a king or other monarch....
or viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
of the island of 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...
in 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...
. The Governor of Oahu resided at Honolulu and was usually a Hawaiian chief or prince and could even be a woman. The Governor had authority over the island of Oahu and Honolulu the kingdom's capital and it was up to the governor to appoint lieutanant governors to assisted them. The governor had replaced the old alii aimokus of the islands, but sovereignty remained with the king. Either the governor or the monarch had the power to call in foreign assistance in time of troubles. This occurred a few times, including the uprising of the Emmaites in 1874 when John Owen Dominis
John Owen Dominis
John Owen Dominis was an American-born statesman. He became Prince Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii upon his marriage to the last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani...
called for British and American assistance. Neither the governor nor monarch called for foreign assistance in January 1893 when John L. Stevens
John L. Stevens
John Leavitt Stevens was the United States Department of State Minister to the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893 when he was accused of conspiring to overthrow Queen Liliuokalani in association with the Committee of Safety, led by Lorrin A. Thurston and Sanford B...
sent American troops into Honolulu.
Role
In the 1840 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii1840 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...
it states:
There shall be four governors over these Hawaiian Islands - one for Hawaii - one for Maui and the Islands adjacent - one for Oahu, and one for Kauai and the adjacent Islands. All the governors, from Hawaii to Kauai shall be subject to the King.
The prerogatives of the governors and their duties, shall be as follows: Each governor shall have the general direction of the several tax gatherers of his island, and shall support them in the execution of all their orders which he considers to have been properly given, but shall pursue a course according to law, and not according to his own private views. He also shall preside over all the judges of his island, and shall see their sentences executed as above. He shall also appoint the judges and give them their certificates of office.
All the governors, from Hawaii to Kauai shall be subject not only to the King, but also to the PremierKuhina NuiKuhina Nui was a powerful office in the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1819 to 1864. It was usually held by a relative of the king and was the rough equivalent of the 19th century European office of Prime Minister or sometimes Regent.- Origin of the office :...
.
The governor shall be the superior over his particular island or islands. He shall have charge of the munitions of war, under the direction of the King, however, and the Premier. He shall have charge of the forts, the soldiery, the arms and all the implements of war. He shall receive the government dues and shall deliver over the same to the Premier. All important decisions rest with him in times of emergency, unless the King or Premier be present. He shall have charge of all the King's business on the island, the taxation, new improvements to be extended, and plans for the increase of wealth, and all officers shall be subject to him. He shall also have power to decide all questions, and transact all island business which is not by law assigned to others.
When either of the governors shall decease, then all the chiefs shall assemble at such place as the King shall appoint, and shall nominate a successor of the deceased governor, and whosoever they shall nominate and be approved by the King, he shall be the new governor.
List of Governors of Oahu
| # | Name | Picture | Birth | Death | Assumed Office | Left Office | Years in office | Notes | Monarch |
| Direct Rule by King Kamehameha I 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... from Waikiki. |
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| 1 | Kūihelani | ? | ? | circa 1796? | circa 1815? | 9? | Kamehameha I 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... |
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| 2 | Isaac Davis Aikake Isaac Davis (Hawaii) Isaac Davis was a Welsh advisor to Kamehameha I and helped form the Kingdom of Hawaii. He arrived in Hawaii in 1790 as the sole survivor of the massacre of the crew of The Fair American. He along with John Young became friends and advisors to Kamehameha... |
circa 1758 | April, 1810 | ? | April, 1810? | 9? | Kamehameha I 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... |
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| 3 | Oliver Holmes | ? | ? | circa 1810? | ? | circa 1825 | Kamehameha I 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... |
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| Kamehameha II Kamehameha II Kamehameha II was the second king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His birth name was Liholiho and full name was Kalaninui kua Liholiho i ke kapu Iolani... |
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| 4 | Lydia Namahana Piia Namahana Piia Lydia Namahana Piia was a wife of King Kamehameha I of Hawaii. She was the daughter of Keeaumoku Pāpaiahiahi, and her sister Kaʻahumanu was also Kamehameha's wife. Kamehameha and Kaʻahumanu later arranged Piia to marry Gideon Peleioholani Laanui, who was ten years her junior... |
circa 1787 | September 12, 1829 | circa ? | circa 18.. | ? | Kamehameha II Kamehameha II Kamehameha II was the second king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His birth name was Liholiho and full name was Kalaninui kua Liholiho i ke kapu Iolani... |
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| 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... |
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| 5 | Boki Kamāuleule | circa 1780 | December, 1829 | 18.. | December, 1829 | ? | 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... |
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| 6 | Kuini Liliha Kuini Liliha Kuini Liliha was a High Chiefess in the ancient Hawaiian tradition and served the Kingdom of Hawaii as royal governor of Oahu island. She administered the island from 1829 to 1831 following the death of her first husband.-Early life:... |
circa 1780 | August 25, 1839 | December, 1829 | April 1, 1831 | 1 | acting; widow of Governor Boki | 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... |
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| 7 | John Adams Kiiapalaoku Kuakini |  |
circa 1789 | December 9, 1844 | April 1, 1831 | circa 1833 | 2 | acting | 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... |
| 8 | Elizabeth Kīnau Kaahumanu II 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:... |
circa 1805 | April 4, 1839 | circa 1833? | April 4, 1839? | 6? | 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... |
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| 9 | Mataio Kekūanāoa Mataio Kekuanaoa Mataio Kekūanāoa was descended from the high chiefs of the island of Oahu. His name Mataio was the Hawaiian form of Matthew, although the former remain the most common form used to referred to him.... |
circa 1793 | November 4, 1868 | November 17, 1846 | February 18, 1864 | 18 | widower of Kīnau | 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... |
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| Kamehameha IV Kamehameha IV Kamehameha IV, born Alexander Iolani Liholiho Keawenui , reigned as the fourth king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 11, 1855 to November 30, 1863.-Early life:... |
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| Kamehameha V 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... |
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| 10 | John Owen Dominis John Owen Dominis John Owen Dominis was an American-born statesman. He became Prince Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii upon his marriage to the last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani... |
March 10, 1832 | August 27, 1891 | February 18, 1864 | October 4, 1886 | 22 | first time | Kamehameha V 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... |
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| Lunalilo Lunalilo Lunalilo, born William Charles Lunalilo , was king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 8, 1873 until February 3, 1874... |
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| Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii... |
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| 11 | Curtis Piehu Iaukea Curtis Iaukea Curtis Piʻehu Iaukea served as the chief diplomat of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi during the reigns of King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani. His great grandson is wrestler King Curtis Iaukea.-Life:... |
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December 13, 1855 | circa 1940 | October 4, 1886 | August 5, 1887 | 1 | Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii... |
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| 12 | Antone Rosa | ? | September 9, 1898 | April 12, 1887 | July 7, 1887 | 2 months | acting | Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii... |
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| 13 | Archibald Scott Cleghorn | November 15, 1835 | November 1, 1910 | July 7, 1887 | July 26, 1887 | 19 days | acting; first time | Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii... |
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| 14 | John Owen Dominis John Owen Dominis John Owen Dominis was an American-born statesman. He became Prince Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii upon his marriage to the last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani... |
March 10, 1832 | August 27, 1891 | August 5, 1887 | August 23, 1888 | 1 | second time | Kalākaua Kalakaua Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii... |
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| Interregnum | |||||||||
| 15 | John Owen Dominis John Owen Dominis John Owen Dominis was an American-born statesman. He became Prince Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii upon his marriage to the last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani... |
March 10, 1832 | August 27, 1891 | March 2, 1891 | November 11, 1891 | eight months | third time | Liliuokalani | |
| 16 | Archibald Scott Cleghorn | November 15, 1835 | November 1, 1910 | November 11, 1891 | February 28, 1893 | 2 years | second time | Liliuokalani | |
See also
- List of Governors of Hawaii
- Governors of Hawaii (island)
- Governors of KauaiGovernors of KauaiThe Governor of Kauai was the royal governor or viceroy of the island of Kauai and island of Niihau during the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Governor of Kauai was usually a Hawaiian chief or prince and could even be a woman. The Governor had authority over the islands of Kauai and Niihau, and it was up to...
- Governors of MauiGovernors of MauiThe Governor of Maui was the royal governor or viceroy of the Island of Maui in the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Governor of Maui resided at Lahaina and was usually a Hawaiian chief or prince and could even be a woman. The Governor had authority over four of the eight islands: Maui, Molokai, Lānai, and...
- Alii Aimoku of OahuAlii Aimoku of OahuThe Alii Aimoku was the sovereign king or queen of one of the four main Hawaiian Islands. The monarchs of island Oahu, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from Wakea. Nanaulu, a fourteenth generation descendant of Wakea was the ancestor of Kumuhonua, 1st known King of Oahu,...
- Mayor of HonoluluMayor of HonoluluThe Mayor of Honolulu is the chief executive officer of the City and County of Honolulu and considered the third most powerful official in the U.S. state of Hawaii, behind the Governor of Hawaii and the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii...