Lanakawai—also known as Lanaikawai and Lonokawai—was an ancient Hawaiian nobleman, who was a
Prince of the island of Maui. He became a
High Chief of the island of Hawaiʻi (the Big Island). His grandson was the founder of the
Pili line
Pili line (House of Pili, Pili dynasty; Hawaiian language: ''Hale o Pili'') was a royal house in ancient Hawaii that ruled over the island of Hawaiʻi with deep roots in the history of Samoa and possibly beyond further to the west, Ao-Po ("gathe ...
, a dynasty of the chiefs of the Big Island.
Biography
It is likely that Lanakawai was born on Maui. He was a son of the High Chief
Hanalaʻa, ruler of Maui. The mother of Lanakawai was Mahuia, Lady of Maui, and she is also called Mahuie, whilst the brother of Lanakawai was High Chief
Mauiloa. Mauiloa became a ruler of Maui, whilst Lanakawai became a ruler of Hawaiʻi.
Lanakawai married his sister, Lady Kalohialiʻiokawai, who was also called Kolohialiʻiokawai. They had at least two children:
*Laʻau — son
*Kukamolimaulialoha
[Peleioholani, Solomon Lehuanui Kalaniomaiheuila (1906). ''Genealogy of the Robinson family, and ancient legends and chants of Hawaii''.] — daughter
Laʻau and his sister were married, and they went to Kahiki (
Tahiti
Tahiti (; Tahitian ; ; previously also known as Otaheite) is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Austr ...
), where their children were born. Their son was
Pilikaʻaiea
Pilikaʻaiea (or Pili-auau; the short form: Pili) was ''Aliʻi Nui'' of Hawaiʻi. He was a sovereign chief, who deposed the indigenous chief, Kapawa.
Name
The Hawaiian word ''pili'' is the native Hawaiian name of ''Heteropogon contortus''.
Bi ...
, whilst their daughter was
Hina-au-kekele
Hina-au-kekele (also known as Hina-au-aku, Hinauapu or simply Hina) was a Hawaiian noble lady and Chiefess of the Island of Hawaii (Big Island). She was the sister-wife of the High Chief Pilikaaiea of Hawaii, and they were the founders of the dyn ...
.
Lanakawai was succeeded by
Kapawa, a man who was a usurper, but who was deposed by Lanakawai's grandson
Pilikaʻaiea
Pilikaʻaiea (or Pili-auau; the short form: Pili) was ''Aliʻi Nui'' of Hawaiʻi. He was a sovereign chief, who deposed the indigenous chief, Kapawa.
Name
The Hawaiian word ''pili'' is the native Hawaiian name of ''Heteropogon contortus''.
Bi ...
.
References
{{Reflist
Bibliography
*Peleioholani, Solomon Lehuanui Kalaniomaiheuila (1906). ''Genealogy of the Robinson family, and ancient legends and chants of Hawaii''.
Hawaiian chiefs