Kalaniopuu

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Kalaniʻōpuʻu-a-Kaiamamao was a Hawaiian monarch, the 6th Aliʻi (tribal chief) of Kohala, 4th Aliʻi of the Kona district and 2nd Aliʻi of the Kaʻū district on the island of Hawaiʻi. He was born about 1729 as the son of Kaiʻinamao Kalani-nui-i-a-mamao, the eldest son of Keawe-i-Kekahi-aliʻi-o-kamoku II, and his wife Kamakaimoku. He died at Waioahukini, Kaʻū, in April 1782.

He was the king of the island during the times Captain James Cook came to Hawaiʻi and went aboard his ship on November 26, 1778.[1] After Cook anchored at Kealakekua Bay in January 1779, Kalaniʻōpuʻu-a-Kaiamamao paid a ceremonial visit on January 26, 1779 and exchanged gifts including a ʻahu ʻula (feathered cloak)[2] and Mahiole (ceremonial helmet),[3] since it was during the Makahiki season. Cook's ships returned on February 11 to repair storm damage. This time relations were not as good, resulting in a violent struggle and Cook's death.

He was succeeded by his son, Kiwalaʻo, as king of Hawaiʻi island; and his nephew, Kamehameha I, who was given guardianship of Kū-ka-ili-moku, the god of war. His nephew would eventually overthrow his son at the battle of Mokuʻōhai. The island of Hawaiʻi was then effectively divided into three parts: his nephew Kamehameha ruled the western districts, his younger son Keōua Kuahuʻula controlled Kaʻū, and his brother Keawemauhili controlled Hilo.

Lines of Succession

Alii Aimoku of the island of Hawaii
preceded by
Alapaʻinuiakauaua
dates
1754–1782
succeeded by
Kiwalaʻo
Alii of Kaʻū
dates
?–1782
succeeded by
Kiwalaʻo
  1. William De Witt Alexander (1891). A brief history of the Hawaiian people. American Book Co., 104-116. 
  2. 'ahu 'ula (Feathered cloak). Museum of New Zealand web site. Retrieved on 2009-7-19.
  3. Mahiole (helmet). Museum of New Zealand web site. Retrieved on 2009-7-19.