“There were born to Nuhi and Kaohele first a daughter and then a son, the girl being named Kekaikuihala and the boy Laʻanui. Kamehameha, although fierce and cruel in war, was disposed to be conciliatory toward those he conquered, aiming to make amends in a measure for the wrongs he inflicted and to establish friendly relations with families to which he had brought misfortune.”
“He extended a welcoming hand and opened his heart to many, men and women alike, who flocked to his hospitable court. Alliances in this way were created, and one by one new homes spread over the lately deserted countryside once more, through the influence of which contentment was made to rule supreme in the land.”
“Among the visitors to the royal court was (Namahana) Kekuwai-Piʻia, who had just become a widow, coming as a guest of her sister, Queen Kaʻahumanu. Laʻanui was a boy growing to maturity.”
“The king had not forgotten the great wish of his heart, coveting possession of Waimea and hoping to gain it, if not in battle, through a matrimonial alliance. His failure to accomplish this end through Kaohele was a sting to the old warrior’s pride, and now he chose a new agent of his ambition by inviting Laʻanui to the court.”
“The invitation was gladly accepted and the visit lasted for months. Kamehameha was loath to have Laʻanui depart while he was slyly intriguing with Kaʻahumanu to negotiate a marriage between Piʻia and Laʻanui.”
“Piʻia is described as being a person heavily built and not prepossessing in appearance like her sisters Kaahumanu and Kaheiheimalie. When at last the proposition was put squarely to Laʻanui, that it was the united wish of the king and queen that the marriage should take place, for a moment he was dejected.”
“To wed a woman very many years his senior was not the desire of his heart. Yet realizing that it might be perilous to go contrary to the express desire of the powerful monarch he quietly consented ‘to take the bitter pill.’” (Pratt)
“The couple took up their residence at Waialua, permanently, upon one of the divisions of land which Piʻia had received as her portion out of her father’s large estate.”
“Soon afterward the old conqueror’s death occurred, upon which Kaʻahumanu became regent of the whole group. The first party of missionaries had just arrived. Piʻia and Laʻanui, together with Queen Kaahumanu and several other chiefly persons, were among the first converts to Christianity.” (Pratt)
Laʻanui and Piʻia were one of the first couples to be married by Hiram Bingham.
Laʻanui was also part of “a number of serious men … willing to be known as seekers of the great salvation, and as, in some sense, pledged to one another to abstain from immoralities and to follow the teachings of the Word of God, united in an association for prayer and improvement similar to that formed by the females a month earlier.”
“Among its earliest and leading members were Kalanimoku, Laanui, Kalaikoa, Kealiiahonui, Hoaai, Kupalu, and Kaomi, whose father was a resident Tahitian, John Ii, Kaaia, Punihaole, and others.” (Bingham)
Then, “More than a hundred at Honolulu station offered themselves as candidates for baptism. Amongst these, Kaahumanu, Kalanimoku, Kalkua, Namahana, Laanui, Kapiolani, Kapule, Kaiu, Kealiiahonui, and Richard Kalaaiaulu …”
“… in the early part of June, while the chiefs and missionaries were generally assembled at Honolulu, being permitted, came before the congregation and the only organized church then in the island, and made a statement of their religious views, and their desire to join themselves to the Lord’s people, and to walk in his covenant.” (Bingham)
“Before the close of the fifth year of the mission, Kapule and her husband and her former husband’s son, Keliiahonui, and Kaahumanu, all gave evidence of being disciples of Christ. The two latter separated, as by Christian rules it was not lawful for a son to have his father’s wife.”
“The four made a public profession of their faith in Christ together, and as first fruits, were baptised, with Opiʻia, Laʻanui and Richard Karaaiaulu. Kaʻahumanu ever after lived a single life, adorned her profession, and died as she had lived, a Christian, after several years of useful exertion as a Christian ruler.” (Missionary Herald)
Laʻanui “was an interesting young chief of the third rank, well featured, and a little above the middling stature.” (Bingham)
“I could not refrain from tears to see the happy meeting of this interesting pair, after their separation for so lamentable a cause. His protection and restoration they both now piously ascribed to the care of Jehovah – the Christian’s God.”
“After a few expressions of mutual joy and congratulation, and a few words as to the state of affairs at Kauai, at Namahana’s suggestion, with which her husband signified his concurrence, we sang a hymn of praise, and united in thanksgiving to the King of nations for his timely and gracious aid to those who acknowledge his authority and love his Word.” (Bingham)
“Laʻanui, by his correct behavior for more than five years, has given us much satisfaction. He is a good assistant in the work of translation; we consult him and others of his standing, with more advantage than any of the youth who have been instructed in foreign school.” (Bingham)
An early convert to Christianity, “Laʻanui was the paramount chief of the Waialua division from 1828 to his death in 1849, as well as the particular ‘lord’ (hakuʻāina) of Kawailoa, the district (ahupuaʻa) corresponding to the Anahulu River valley.” (Kirch)
On June 5, 1832, Laʻanui, Piʻia, former Queen Kaʻahumanu and a couple others “came before the congregation (of Kawaiahaʻo Church) and the only organized church then in the island, and made a statement of their religious views, and their desire to join themselves to the Lord’s people, and to walk in his covenant.” (Bingham)
On July 24, 1832, Rev John and Ursula Emerson arrived in Waialua. They were greeted by Laʻanui in his canoe. In the fall of 1832 the first church in Waialua was dedicated and began with sixteen members.
The first “Hale pule,”— a large thatched building which would seat 1,000 persons on the floor of mats or rushes, was located near where the Haleiwa Hotel now stands, a. few rods from Laʻanui’s residence.”
“Laʻanui was very friendly and thoughtful and offered Father the choice of several spots for his residence, and he selected a location near some beautiful springs called Ka “Waipuolo”, where a small grass thatched house was soon erected.”
“Among the converts of the great Revival year of the mission in 1838, was Hewahewa, the great Kahuna of the time of Kamehameha, who advised Kaʻahumanu and Liholiho to abolish the Kapu. He lived in the valley of Waimea, a faithful, consistent follower of the new light.” (The Friend, March 1, 1914)
Over 2,000 natives attended the dedication of the hale pili (grass house.) This hale pili stood on the corner of Kamehameha Highway and Haleiwa road where the Haleʻiwa Hotel once stood and now Haleʻiwa Joe’s. (Liliuokalani Church)
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