Pauli Kaʻōleiokū (abt 1767–1818) was a

Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...

Early childhood

Pauli Kaʻōleiokū was born in 1767. His mother was High Chiefess

Kānekapōlei Kānekapōlei was a Native Hawaiian '' aliʻi wahine'' (queen) and wife of Kalaniʻōpuʻu, ''aliʻi nui'' (king/supreme ruler) of the Island of Hawaii and aunt of Kamehameha I, who were all present at Captain James Cook's death. She called atten ...

, a wife of

Kalaniʻōpuʻu Kalaniōpuu-a-Kaiamamao (c. 1729 – April 1782) was the aliʻi nui (supreme monarch) of the island of Hawaiʻi. He was called ''Terreeoboo, King of Owhyhee'' by James Cook and other Europeans. His name has also been written as Kaleiopuu. Bio ...

. His paternity is a matter of some debate. However, it is known that Pauli Kaōleiokū was an ''ali'i po'olua''. Both

and Kamehameha accepted him as their own son. A dispute is not suggested by this from Hawaiian tradition as po'olua was a common and formally acknowledged, chiefly acceptance that enhanced the offspring's lineage. He was admitted into manhood by the traditional ''awa'' ceremony around 1778. Shortly after that, he was among the first to meet Captain Cook when he came to the islands. He was known to be an expert spear thrower because of his ability to predict where a moving target would go to.

Battle of Mokuʻōhai

In 1782

Kamehameha I Kamehameha I (; Kalani Paiea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiikui Kamehameha o Iolani i Kaiwikapu kaui Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea; – May 8 or 14, 1819), also known as Kamehameha the Great, was the conqueror and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. T ...

won his first decisive victory towards conquering the islands. King Kalaniʻopuʻu had died a year before leaving his son Kiwalaʻo to rule in his place. Keōua Kūahuula was left nothing by his father after his death. Enraged by this, Keōua made several provocative moves to insult the new ruler and would become Kamehameha's chief rival during the battle that would ensue. Kamehameha received encouragement and the backing of several prominent figures instead of the new King. Kaōleiokū was Keōua's half-brother and supported him in the battle and afterwards, escaped with him to Kaʻū. Keōua was convinced by twins

Kamanawa ''For other persons with this name, please see Kamanawa II.'' Kamanawa (died c. 1802?) was a Hawaiian high chief and early supporter of King Kamehameha I, known as one of the royal ''Nīʻaupiʻo'' twins with his brother Kameeiamoku. He later bec ...

and

Kameʻeiamoku Kameeiamoku (died 1802) was a Hawaiian high chief and the Counselor of State to King Kamehameha I. He was called Kamehameha's uncle, but he was really the cousin of Kamehameha's mother, Kekuiapoiwa II. Birth and ancestry Along with his twin b ...

to travel with them when summoned to

Kawaihae Kawaihae is an unincorporated community on the west side of the island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii, north of Kailua-Kona. Its harbor is one of only two on the island, together with that of Hilo. Description The town's harbor includ ...

by Kamehameha. Kaʻōleiokū was among the formal entourage. Keōua was resigned to a probable fate and surrounded himself with his selection of chiefs to die with in his own canoe. Others were ordered to accompany Kaōleiokū. As they came to shore to greet Kamehameha,

Keeaumoku Pāpaiahiahi Keeaumoku Pāpaiahiahi (1736–1804) 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. H ...

stood from a distance with his men and threw a spear at Keōua, who, after a small fight, was killed. Kaōleiokū was saved by command of Kamehameha I, who did not intervene during the struggle moments before. Another popular version of this event states that Kamehameha's brother, Keliimaikai had attempted to intercede for Keōua but failed and when Kaōleiokū's group made shore, Keliimaikai demanded that Kamehameha kill the young man and his group stating: ''"You have killed my Hanai, and I will now kill yours"''. To which Kamehameha replied: ''"He shall not die: he is the child of my youth."'' After that, he was taken into Kamehameha's court and traveled to

Oahu Oahu () (Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ''Oʻahu'' ()), also known as "The Gathering place#Island of Oʻahu as The Gathering Place, Gathering Place", is the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is home to roughly one million people—over t ...

where he fought problematic Russians around 1816.

Family and legacy

Kéohoua, femme du chef Kaïroua by Alphonse Pellion

He was the father of four children,

Kalanipauahi Pauahi (c.1804–1826) was a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the House of Kamehameha. Referred as Pauahi in her lifetime, she is often referred to as Kalanipauahi or Kalani Pauahi to differentiate her from her niece and name ...

, Hānuna, Keolaloa and

Kōnia Laura Kanaholo Kōnia (c. 1808–1857) was a high chiefess of the Kingdom of Hawaii. She was the mother of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the founder of Kamehameha Schools. Life She was the youngest daughter of Pauli Kaōleiokū by his second wife, Hig ...

. Keōuawahine was the mother of Kalanipauahi and Hānuna, and Kahailiōpua Luahine was the mother of Kōnia and Keolaloa. He died February 19, 1818, supposedly, by means of ''akua hānai'', being secretly fed the scrapings of the wooden images of the poison gods, or the ''kālaipāhoa'' gods.John Papa Īī (1983). Fragments of Hawaiian History, Edition 2. Bishop Museum Press. . Page 124 He was a grandfather of

Keʻelikōlani Ruth Ke‘elikōlani, or sometimes written as Luka Ke‘elikōlani, also known as Ruth Ke‘elikōlani Keanolani Kanāhoahoa or Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa Ke‘elikōlani (June 17, 1826 – May 24, 1883), was a formal member of the House of Kameha ...

and

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Bernice Pauahi Bishop KGCOK RoK (December 19, 1831 – October 16, 1884), born Bernice Pauahi Pākī, was an '' alii'' (noble) of the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Hawaii and a well known philanthropist. At her death, her estate was the la ...

Family tree

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaoleioku, Pauli 1767 births 1818 deaths Illegitimate children of Hawaiian monarchs Royalty of the Hawaiian Kingdom Burials at the Royal Mausoleum (Mauna ʻAla)