Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani

Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani, also known by her full Hawaiian name Ruth Luka Keanolani Kauanahoahoa Keʻelikōlani, was a formidable and influential figure in the Hawaiian Kingdom during the 19th century. Her name Keʻelikōlani is said to mean "leaf bud of heaven." While "Keanolani" and "Kauanahoahoa" are also parts of her full name, their specific individual meanings are not readily available in historical records. Born on June 17, 1826, in Pohukaina, Honolulu, Oʻahu, in the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, her birth was surrounded by controversy regarding her paternity. She passed away on May 24, 1883, at the age of 56, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi, due to heart disease after a brief illness. She was interred at the Mauna ʻAla Royal Mausoleum on June 17, 1883.

Her lineage was complex and subject to dispute. Her mother was Kalani Pauahi, who died shortly after Ruth's birth. While Mataio Kekūanaōʻa was legally recognized as her father, High Chief Kahalaiʻa Luanuʻu, her mother's second husband, also claimed paternity, leading to her being considered a _keiki poʻolua_ or "two heads" child, inheriting _mana_ (spiritual energy) from both. This dual paternity presented challenges in securing her vast land inheritance. Through Kekūanaōʻa, she was the half-sister of King Kamehameha IV, King Kamehameha V, and Princess Victoria Kamāmalu. Her maternal lineage connected her to Kamehameha I through her grandfather Pauli Kaōleiokū, though this connection was also debated.

Princess Ruth held significant political and economic power. She was a member of the esteemed House of Kamehameha and served as the Governor of the Island of Hawaiʻi. For a period, she was the largest and wealthiest landowner in the Hawaiian Islands, laying claim to 353,000 acres of Kamehameha land. Her personal life included two marriages: first to William Pitt Leleiohoku I, with whom she had a son, John William Pitt Kīnaʻu; and later to Isaac Young Davis, with whom she had another son, Keolaokalani Pākī Bishop. She also _hānai_ adopted William Pitt Leleiohoku II.

Keʻelikōlani was a staunch defender of ancient Hawaiian traditions and customs amidst increasing Western influence. Despite being educated by missionaries and fluent in English, she insisted on conducting all her affairs in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language), requiring translators for English speakers. She rejected Christianity and Anglo-American cultural norms, preferring to live in a traditional grass house (_hale pili_) in Kailua, even though she inherited palaces. She actively honored traditional practices, including the patronage of chanters and hula dancers. Her deep connection to Hawaiian spirituality was famously demonstrated during the 1880–1881 eruption of Mauna Loa, when she traveled to Hilo and made offerings (_ho‘okupu_) and chanted (_oli_) to Pele, the volcano goddess, which many believed led to the lava flow ceasing before it reached the town.

Her relationship with the Hawaiian Kingdom and other aliʻi was marked by her unwavering commitment to Hawaiian sovereignty and culture. She was a direct descendant of Kamehameha I and was considered the highest-ranking descendant at the time of her death. Her strong traditionalist stance often put her at odds with the more Westernized members of the royal court, yet she commanded immense respect from the Hawaiian people. She played a crucial role in maintaining Hawaiian identity during a period of significant change and foreign encroachment.

Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani's legacy is profound and enduring. She is remembered as a powerful advocate for Hawaiian culture, language, and land. Her immense landholdings, bequeathed to her cousin Bernice Pauahi Bishop, formed the foundation of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, which in turn funds the Kamehameha Schools. These institutions are dedicated to the preservation of Hawaiian culture and the advancement of Native Hawaiian people, ensuring her influence continues to shape Hawaii today. Her resistance to Westernization and her dedication to traditional Hawaiian ways serve as an inspiration for cultural preservation efforts. She is also remembered for her intervention during the Mauna Loa eruption, a testament to her spiritual authority and connection to the land.

While specific notable quotes directly attributed to her are scarce, her actions and steadfast adherence to Hawaiian traditions speak volumes about her character and beliefs. Chants (mele) were composed in her honor, such as "Keʻelikōlani Nui" by Kahauanu Lake, which praises her as a benefactor of the multitude. Her life itself is an oral tradition, passed down through generations, highlighting her strength, mana, and unwavering dedication to her people and their heritage. Her historical significance lies in her role as a bulwark against the erosion of Hawaiian culture and sovereignty during a critical period of foreign influence, ensuring that Hawaiian ways of living and language would endure.