John Adams Kuakini
Encyclopedia
John Adams Kiiapalaoku Kuakini (1789–1844) 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.
, an alii
(noble) from the island of Hawaii
, and his mother was NamahanaiKaleleokalani, the widow queen of the late king of Maui, Kamehameha Nui.
His father became a fugitive from King Kahekili II
of Maui. Escaping to Hana, the family moved back to Hawaii island and lived on Kahaluu Bay
. He was the youngest of four important siblings: sisters Queen Kaahumanu, Kamehameha's favorite wife and later became the powerful Kuhina nui
, Kalākua Kaheiheimālie
and Namahana-o-Piia
, also queens of Kamehameha, and brother George Cox Kahekili Keeaumoku, who later became the Governor of Maui.
His father helped Kamehameha I
come to power in the battle of Mokuōhai
in 1782.
With the introduction of Christianity, Hawaiians were encouraged to take British or American names.
As an example of his royal manner, he chose the name John Adams after John Quincy Adams
, the U.S. president in office at the time.
He adopted the name as well as other customs of the U.S. and Europe.
As a youth he excelled at sports such as canoeing, but later acquired a taste of alcohol, fine food, and women. He seriously injured his foot, however, trying to escape after being caught with the wife of Governor Kuihelani of Oahu. He recovered, but walked with a limp for the rest of his life.
Like many of Polynesian royal lineage, he had a large stature.
A visitor in 1819 described him as about 6 feet 3 inches, and in his later days was said of have weighed over 400 pounds.
He married Keouawahine, and had one son Keoua, who died in infancy, and one daughter Mele Kamanele Kuakini (1814–1834). Mele was considered to be a potential bride for King Kamehameha III
, but she died young. The king later married the lower ranking Chiefess Kalama
, the daughter of ship pilot Naihekukui
.
When the Kingdom's central government moved to Lahaina in 1820, his influence expanded on Hawaii island. After John Young
had effectively but unofficially served in the role, Kuakini was appointed the first recorded Royal Governor of Hawaii island
, serving from 1820 until his death.
However, on April 1, 1831, a potential rebellion was uncovered on the island of Oahu
. His sister Queen Regent Kaahumanu appointed him Royal Governor of Oahu after Kuini Liliha
, the leader of the rebellion, He resided at Fort Honolulu serving as the Commander in Chief.
Some time in the next few years he moved back to the island of Hawaii after Kaahumanu died and Elizabeth Kīnau
became Queen Regent, calling herself Kaahumanu II. From 1841 through 1843 he served in the House of Nobles
.
He gave land to missionaries, such as Asa Thurston to build Mokuaikaua Church
, and others on the island.
He extended a series of low walls that were originally used as Ahupuaa (traditional land division) barriers for pigs, because the cattle left behind by George Vancouver
were wandering through the village of Kailua.
This work became known as Ka pā nui o Kuakini ("The Great Wall of Kuakini"), some of which still stands today.
In the village he built Hulihee Palace
in the American style out of native lava, coral lime mortar, koa
and ohia timbers. Completed in 1838, he used the palace to entertain visiting Americans and Europeans with great feasts.
He made official visits to all ships that arrived on the island, offering them tours of sites such as the Kīlauea
volcano.
Kuakini died December 9, 1844 in Kailua-Kona. He left Hulihee Palace to his hānai (adopted son) William Pitt Leleiohoku I, who left it to his wife Princess Ruth Keelikōlani
.
Hulihee Palace is now a museum run the Daughters of Hawaii
, including some of his artifacts.
A highway is named "Kuakini Highway", which runs from the Hawaii Belt Road through the town of Kailua-Kona, to the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
. He is also the namesake of Kuakini Street, Honolulu, which is in turn the namesake of the Kuakini Medical Center
on it.
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...
in the early stages of 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...
. He was responsible for much building and other changes in 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,...
during this era.
Family life
He was born about 1789 with the name Kaluaikonahale. His father was Keeaumoku PapaiahiahiKeeaumoku Papaiahiahi
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...
, an alii
Ali'i
Alii is a word in the Polynesian language denoting chiefly status in ancient Hawaii and the Samoa Islands. A similar word with the same concept is found in other Polynesian societies. In the Cook Islands, an ariki is a high chief and the House of Ariki is a parliamentary house...
(noble) from the island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
, and his mother was NamahanaiKaleleokalani, the widow queen of the late king of Maui, Kamehameha Nui.
His father became a fugitive from King Kahekili II
Kahekili 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...
of Maui. Escaping to Hana, the family moved back to Hawaii island and lived on Kahaluu Bay
Kahaluu Bay
Kahaluu Bay is a historic district and popular recreation area on the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.-Early history:This area has been populated for about 500 years, and in the 18th and 19th centuries was an important royal residence....
. He was the youngest of four important siblings: sisters Queen Kaahumanu, Kamehameha's favorite wife and later became the powerful Kuhina nui
Kuhina Nui
Kuhina 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 :...
, Kalākua Kaheiheimālie
Kalakua Kaheiheimaile
Kalākua Kaheiheimālie, later known as Hoapili Wahine was a member of Hawaiian royalty who was one of the Queen consorts at the founding of the Kingdom of Hawaii. She was mother of another Queen consort, and grandmother of two future kings. Some sources call her Kaheiheimāile rather than...
and Namahana-o-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...
, also queens of Kamehameha, and brother George Cox Kahekili Keeaumoku, who later became the Governor of Maui.
His father helped 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...
come to power in 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...
in 1782.
With the introduction of Christianity, Hawaiians were encouraged to take British or American names.
As an example of his royal manner, he chose the name John Adams after John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
, the U.S. president in office at the time.
He adopted the name as well as other customs of the U.S. and Europe.
As a youth he excelled at sports such as canoeing, but later acquired a taste of alcohol, fine food, and women. He seriously injured his foot, however, trying to escape after being caught with the wife of Governor Kuihelani of Oahu. He recovered, but walked with a limp for the rest of his life.
Like many of Polynesian royal lineage, he had a large stature.
A visitor in 1819 described him as about 6 feet 3 inches, and in his later days was said of have weighed over 400 pounds.
He married Keouawahine, and had one son Keoua, who died in infancy, and one daughter Mele Kamanele Kuakini (1814–1834). Mele was considered to be a potential bride for 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...
, but she died young. The king later married the lower ranking Chiefess Kalama
Kalama
Kalama Hakaleleponi Kapakuhaili, Queen Consort of Hawaii was Queen Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii alongside her husband, Kauikeaouli, who reigned as King Kamehameha III.-Early life:...
, the daughter of ship pilot Naihekukui
Naihekukui
Naihe-Kukui Kapihe , known as "Captain Jack" or "Jack the Pilot" to visitors, served as Honolulu harbor master and admiral of the royal fleet in the early Kingdom of Hawaii. His daughter would become a Queen consort.-Life:...
.
Royal Governor
John Young (Hawaii)
John Young was a British subject who became an important military advisor to Kamehameha I during the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was left behind by Simon Metcalfe, captain of the American ship Eleanora, and along with a Welshmen Isaac Davis became a friend and advisor to Kamehameha...
had effectively but unofficially served in the role, Kuakini was appointed the first recorded Royal Governor of Hawaii island
Royal Governors of Hawaii
The Governor of Hawaii was the royal governor or viceroy of the Island of Hawaii during the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Governor of Hawaii was usually a Hawaiian chief or prince and could even be a woman. There were no restriction of women in government in the House of Nobles or Governship of the islands...
, serving from 1820 until his death.
However, on April 1, 1831, a potential rebellion was uncovered on 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...
. His sister Queen Regent Kaahumanu appointed him Royal Governor of Oahu after 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:...
, the leader of the rebellion, He resided at Fort Honolulu serving as the Commander in Chief.
Some time in the next few years he moved back to the island of Hawaii after Kaahumanu died and Elizabeth Kīnau
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:...
became Queen Regent, calling herself Kaahumanu II. From 1841 through 1843 he served in 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...
.
He gave land to missionaries, such as Asa Thurston to build Mokuaikaua Church
Mokuaikaua Church
Mokuaikaua Church is the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands.Its address is 75-5713 Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, coordinates .-History:...
, and others on the island.
He extended a series of low walls that were originally used as Ahupuaa (traditional land division) barriers for pigs, because the cattle left behind by 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...
were wandering through the village of Kailua.
This work became known as Ka pā nui o Kuakini ("The Great Wall of Kuakini"), some of which still stands today.
In the village he built Hulihee Palace
Hulihee Palace
The Hulihee Palace is located in historic Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Alii Drive. The former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty, it was converted to a museum run by the Daughters of Hawaii, showcasing furniture and artifacts.-History:...
in the American style out of native lava, coral lime mortar, koa
Koa
Acacia koa is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is the second most common tree. The highest populations are on Hawaii, Maui and Oahu...
and ohia timbers. Completed in 1838, he used the palace to entertain visiting Americans and Europeans with great feasts.
He made official visits to all ships that arrived on the island, offering them tours of sites such as the Kīlauea
Kilauea
Kīlauea is a volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, and one of five shield volcanoes that together form the island of Hawaii. Kīlauea means "spewing" or "much spreading" in the Hawaiian language, referring to its frequent outpouring of lava. The Puu Ōō cone has been continuously erupting in the eastern...
volcano.
Kuakini died December 9, 1844 in Kailua-Kona. He left Hulihee Palace to his hānai (adopted son) William Pitt Leleiohoku I, who left it to his wife Princess Ruth Keelikōlani
Keelikolani
Princess Ruth Luka Keanolani Kauanahoahoa Keelikōlani , was a member of the Kamehameha family, the founding dynasty of the Kingdom of Hawaii. She served as Royal Governor of the Island of Hawaii. As primary heir to the Kamehameha family, Ruth became a landholder of what would become the Bernice...
.
Legacy
Daughters of Hawaii
The Daughters of Hawaii was founded in 1903 by seven women who were daughters of American Protestant missionaries. They were born in Hawaii, were citizens of the Kingdom of Hawaii before annexation, and foresaw the inevitable loss of much of the Hawaiian culture...
, including some of his artifacts.
A highway is named "Kuakini Highway", which runs from the Hawaii Belt Road through the town of Kailua-Kona, to the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area is a park built on the site of an old landing strip just North of Kailua, Hawaii County, Hawaii.-History:During World War II a small landing strip was cleared near the end of Kuakini Highway....
. He is also the namesake of Kuakini Street, Honolulu, which is in turn the namesake of the Kuakini Medical Center
Kuakini Medical Center
-Description:Its address is 347 North Kuakini Street, located at near the corner of Liliha street.The center is run by the Kuakini Health System which also runs geriatric care facilities and a foundation....
on it.