Keeaumoku Papaiahiahi
Encyclopedia
Keeaumoku Pāpaiahiahi was a Hawaiian high chief and the father of Kaahumanu. He was the principal agent in elevating Kamehameha I
to the throne of Hawaii and served in a capacity similar to commander in chief or Prime Minister. He is sometimes referred to as Keʻeaumoku II Pāpaʻiahiahi numbering Keʻeaumoku Nui
as the first and his son as the third.
chief Keawepoepoe (sometimes spelled Keawepoipoi) and his mother was Kūmaaikū. He was called Keeaumoku by the people which literally means the Island-climbing Swimmer. Keeaumoku was a warlike and ambitious chief of the Kona district
of Hawaii island. He was among the first of five Kona chiefs to back Kamehameha I
against his cousin Kiwalao. The four other Kona chiefs were: High Chief Kalua‘apana Keaweāheulu, Kamehameha’s uncle; Kekūhaupio, Kamehameha's warrior teacher; Kame'eiamoku and Kamanawa
, half-brothers of Keeaumoku on their father's side.
In 1782, at the Battle of Mokuōhai
near Keei, Kona, Keeaumoku led Kamehameha's warriors to victory, and Kīwalaō was killed.
Kīwalaō was wearing an ahu ula (red feather cloak
), which then became the property of Kamehameha (this feathered cloak is now in the collection of the Bishop Museum). One account states that the injured Keeaumoku Pāpaiaheahe crawled to Kīwalaō, who also had been injured, and then Keeaumoku Pāpaiaheahe slit the neck of Kīwalaō with a leiomano (shark-tooth weapon).
He was commander-in-chief of Kamehameha's forces in most of his war compaigns. He served as Counsellor of State and was Kamehameha's prime minister.
On his first visit of his Expedition of 1791–1795
, Keeaumoku convinced George Vancouver
to trust Kamehameha, leading to two return visits and an important alliance with the British. Vancouver, who spelled his name "Kahowmotoo", left some goats and returned the next year to find them thriving.
While preparing for an invasion of Kauai island
against King Kaumualii
, an epidemic called mai ōkuu (likely cholera
) infected King Kamehameha and many of his troops, killing thousands. Many of Kamehameha’s warriors died from the disease. Among them was Keeaumoku on March 21, 1804.
, who was King of Maui, was displeased that Namahana had taken Keeaumoku for her husband, and he became Keeaumoku's enemy. The people, including Namahana, stood in great fear of him, so she hid their first born child in a cave at Hāna
, on Maui, at the very foot of the old battle hill, Kauiki. This child was Kaahumanu who would one day be the most powerful woman in the Hawaiian Kingdom. He married his daughter to Kamehameha when she was only 13 year of age and she soon became Kamehameha's favourite wife. He and Namahana gave birth to two other daughters Kaheiheimālie and Namahana Piia who also married Kamehameha. His eldest son, also named Keeaumoku, served as Governor of Maui under the name George Cox Keeaumoku, and his youngest son John Adams Kuakini
served as Governor of Hawaii Island and Oahu. He and his children were the most influential family of Hawaii in the beginning days of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Keeaumoku's great-grandsons Kamehameha IV
, Kamehameha V
and Lunalilo
ruled Hawaii from 1855 to 1874.
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...
to the throne of Hawaii and served in a capacity similar to commander in chief or Prime Minister. He is sometimes referred to as Keʻeaumoku II Pāpaʻiahiahi numbering Keʻeaumoku Nui
Keeaumoku Nui
Kalani Kama Keeaumoku-nui was Prince of the Big Island of Hawaii and high chief of the Kona district and part of Kohala district and grandfather of Kamehameha I. He was a Pio chief which was considered among royalties of the highest rank in the realm. Through his mother and father he was descended...
as the first and his son as the third.
Life
His father was Hawaii islandHawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
chief Keawepoepoe (sometimes spelled Keawepoipoi) and his mother was Kūmaaikū. He was called Keeaumoku by the people which literally means the Island-climbing Swimmer. Keeaumoku was a warlike and ambitious chief of the Kona district
Kona District, Hawaii
Kona is the name of a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the moku of Kona is divided into North Kona District and South Kona District . The term "Kona" is sometimes used to refer to its largest town,...
of Hawaii island. He was among the first of five Kona chiefs to back 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...
against his cousin Kiwalao. The four other Kona chiefs were: High Chief Kalua‘apana Keaweāheulu, Kamehameha’s uncle; Kekūhaupio, Kamehameha's warrior teacher; Kame'eiamoku and Kamanawa
Kamanawa
Kamanawa was a Hawaiian high chief and early supporter of King Kamehameha I, known as one of the royal niau-pio twins with his brother Kameeiamoku...
, half-brothers of Keeaumoku on their father's side.
In 1782, at the Battle of Mokuōhai
Battle of Moku'ohai
The Battle of Mokuōhai, fought in 1782 on the island of Hawaii, was a key battle in the early days of Kamehameha I's wars to conquer the Hawaiian Islands...
near Keei, Kona, Keeaumoku led Kamehameha's warriors to victory, and Kīwalaō was killed.
Kīwalaō was wearing an ahu ula (red feather cloak
Feather cloak
Featherwork cloaks have been used by several cultures.-Hawaii:Elaborate feather cloaks called [[ʻahuʻula]] were created by early Hawaiians for the alii .Feathers were also used in women's skirts called pāū....
), which then became the property of Kamehameha (this feathered cloak is now in the collection of the Bishop Museum). One account states that the injured Keeaumoku Pāpaiaheahe crawled to Kīwalaō, who also had been injured, and then Keeaumoku Pāpaiaheahe slit the neck of Kīwalaō with a leiomano (shark-tooth weapon).
He was commander-in-chief of Kamehameha's forces in most of his war compaigns. He served as Counsellor of State and was Kamehameha's prime minister.
On his first visit of his Expedition of 1791–1795
Vancouver Expedition
The Vancouver Expedition was a four-and-a-half-year voyage of exploration and diplomacy, commanded by Captain George Vancouver. The expedition circumnavigated the globe, touched five continents and changed the course of history for the indigenous nations and several European empires and their...
, Keeaumoku convinced George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver RN was an English officer of the British Royal Navy, best known for his 1791-95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon...
to trust Kamehameha, leading to two return visits and an important alliance with the British. Vancouver, who spelled his name "Kahowmotoo", left some goats and returned the next year to find them thriving.
While preparing for an invasion of Kauai island
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
against King Kaumualii
Kaumualii
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...
, an epidemic called mai ōkuu (likely cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
) infected King Kamehameha and many of his troops, killing thousands. Many of Kamehameha’s warriors died from the disease. Among them was Keeaumoku on March 21, 1804.
Family
He married Namahanai Kaleleokalani, the widow queen of Kamehamehanui Ailuau, the late king of Maui. Namahana's brother, King Kahekili IIKahekili II
Kahekili II, full name Kahekilinuiahumanu, was the twenty fifth King of Maui. His name was short for Kāne-Hekili after the Hawaiian god of thunder. Because Kāne-Hekili was believed to be black on one side, Kahekili tattooed one side of his body from head to foot.-Family:He was born about...
, who was King of Maui, was displeased that Namahana had taken Keeaumoku for her husband, and he became Keeaumoku's enemy. The people, including Namahana, stood in great fear of him, so she hid their first born child in a cave at Hāna
Hana
Hana as a given name may have several origins. It is a variant transliteration of Hannah, meaning Grace in Hebrew associated with God feminine which is the Jewish and Christian form, as well as an Arabic female name meaning happiness , a Persian female name meaning a type of flower , and a Kurdish...
, on Maui, at the very foot of the old battle hill, Kauiki. This child was Kaahumanu who would one day be the most powerful woman in the Hawaiian Kingdom. He married his daughter to Kamehameha when she was only 13 year of age and she soon became Kamehameha's favourite wife. He and Namahana gave birth to two other daughters Kaheiheimālie and Namahana Piia who also married Kamehameha. His eldest son, also named Keeaumoku, served as Governor of Maui under the name George Cox Keeaumoku, and his youngest son John Adams Kuakini
John Adams Kuakini
John Adams Kiiapalaoku Kuakini was an important adviser to Kamehameha I in the early stages of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was responsible for much building and other changes in the Kona District during this era.-Family life:...
served as Governor of Hawaii Island and Oahu. He and his children were the most influential family of Hawaii in the beginning days of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Keeaumoku's great-grandsons 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:...
, 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...
and Lunalilo
Lunalilo
Lunalilo, born William Charles Lunalilo , was king of the Kingdom of Hawaii from January 8, 1873 until February 3, 1874...
ruled Hawaii from 1855 to 1874.