Kekaulike Kalani-nui-Kui-Hono-i-Kamoku

Kekaulike, also known by his full name Kekaulike Kalani-nui-Kui-Hono-i-Kamoku, was the 23rd Moʻi (King or High Chief) of Maui, reigning from approximately 1700 to 1736 [1]. He is recognized as the founder of Maui's last ruling dynasty, a lineage that wielded significant power and influence across the Hawaiian Islands. His ancestry traced back to Piʻilani, known as 'the Great,' a revered monarch of the island Kingdom of Maui [1].

Kekaulike's reign marked a period of consolidation and expansion for the Maui kingdom. Under his leadership and that of his children, Maui's power grew to an unprecedented level, establishing an empire that, at times, rivaled even the powerful kings of Hawaiʻi Island [1]. The strength of the Maui armies and the strategic decisions made during this era contributed to the dynasty's widespread control, which eventually extended over Maui, Molokai, Lānaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauai, and Niʻihau [1].

His family lineage is complex and deeply intertwined with other powerful aliʻi families. Kekaulike was the son of King Kaulahea II of Maui. He had five consorts of rank, two of whom were his half-sisters. His ranking consort was Princess Kekuiapoiwa the Great, who held sanctity from both the kingdoms of Maui and Hawaii. Another half-sister, Princess Kahili-poilani, was also a consort. His second consort was High-Chiefess Holau of Hawaii, daughter of High-Chief Kawelo-a-Aila and Chiefess Kauakahialii-a-Kaiwi. The third consort was Princess Haalou of both Hawaii and Maui, whose mother, Kalelamaoli-o-Kalani, was Kekaulike's full-blood sister. The fourth consort was Chiefess Kane-a-Lae of Molokai [2].

Through these five consorts, Kekaulike fathered 15 royal children. These children played crucial roles in shaping Hawaii's destiny. Notably, his son Kahekili continued the expansionist policies, conquering Oʻahu in the early 1790s [1]. Another son, Kamehamehanui, was an uncle to Kamehameha I. Kekaulike's granddaughter, Keōpūolani (daughter of his son Kiwalaʻo and Kekuʻiapoiwa II), became one of Kamehameha the Great's principal wives and the mother of Kamehameha II and Kamehameha III, thus ensuring the continuation of the Kekaulike lineage within the unified Hawaiian Kingdom [1]. The article also mentions that Kamehameha I's mother, Princess Kekuʻiapoiwa II, was a Maui princess, further highlighting the close ties between the Maui and Hawaii Island royal lines [1].

Kekaulike's cultural contributions are evident in the enduring power and prestige of his dynasty. The establishment of a strong, unified Maui kingdom under his rule would have fostered a stable environment for the preservation and development of Hawaiian traditions, arts, and language. While specific details of his direct cultural initiatives are not extensively documented in the provided sources, his role as a powerful Moʻi implies a significant influence on the cultural landscape of his time. The mention of the Makahiki Games, often credited to Lono-I-Kamakahiki (father of Kaihikapumahana, a maternal ancestor of one of Kekaulike's consorts), suggests a connection to important Hawaiian traditions and ceremonies [2].

The Kekaulike Dynasty's relationship to the Hawaiian Kingdom is profound. Although Kamehameha the Great ultimately unified the islands, overthrowing the Kekaulike Dynasty's direct rule, the lineage of Kekaulike remained vital. Through his descendants, particularly Keōpūolani, the bloodline of Kekaulike flowed into the future monarchs of the unified Hawaiian Kingdom. This demonstrates the lasting impact of his family on Hawaiian sovereignty and the formation of the Kingdom [1].

Today, Kekaulike is remembered as a pivotal figure in Maui's history and a significant ancestor of Hawaiian royalty. King Kekaulike High School in Pukalani, Maui, is named in his honor, serving as a modern-day testament to his legacy and the enduring respect for his contributions to Hawaiian history [1]. His name, Kekaulike, meaning "the equality" or "the equal," reflects a significant aspect of his rule or perhaps his character, though further specific interpretations are not detailed in the provided texts. His legacy is not just in the lands he governed but in the powerful bloodline that continued to shape the destiny of the Hawaiian people.

### References

[1] Images of Old Hawaiʻi. (2019, November 29). *Kekaulike Dynasty*. [https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/kekaulike-dynasty/](https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/kekaulike-dynasty/) [2] Ulukau. (n.d.). *The story of Maui royalty*. [https://ulukau.org/ulukau-books/?a=d&d=EBOOK-SOMR.2.4.32&l=en](https://ulukau.org/ulukau-books/?a=d&d=EBOOK-SOMR.2.4.32&l=en)