Caesar (Kaisera) Kaluaiku Kahanupauokalani Kamakaehukai Keolaokalani Kapaʻakea “was born in Hāmākua, Maui, in the year 1817 (many say 1815)…”
“He was not generally considered of the highest ali‘i rank, but of the same grade as Namakeha and some others. When quite young, he married a chiefess of Hawaii, Keohokālole”.
“For many years Mr Kapa‘akea was a Privy Councilor and member of the House of Nobles, in both which bodies he was noted for his independent spirit, whenever his own rights and privileges or those of the people were assailed.” (Pacific Commercial Advertiser, November 17, 1866)
His father was High Chief Kamanawa II and mother was Kamokuiki. He was a great grandson of Kame‘eiamoku (one of the Four Kona Uncles (Keʻeaumoku, Keaweaheulu, Kameʻeiamoku and Kamanawa) and royal twins (Kameʻeiamoku and Kamanawa) on the Coat of Arms of Hawaii).
Kapa‘akea’s Christian name was spelled several different ways, such as “Caesar” in the state archives, or “Kaisera” in the style of the Hawaiian language.
In 1835, he married the High Chiefess Analea (Ane, Annie) Keohokālole; she was of a higher rank than he. They were cousins and their union was considered sacred because of their close blood relationship.
Keohokalole was born at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in 1816. She was daughter of the Chiefess Kamaeokalani and the High Chief ʻAikanaka.
Through her father she was descended from Kame‘eiamoku and Keaweaheulu (of the Four Kona Uncles) that supported Kamehameha I. Her first marriage was to John Adams Kuakini; they had no children. (Kravitz)
Kapa‘akea and Keohokālole had over 10 children although several died young.
Kapa‘akea was the patriarch of the Kalākaua dynasty. He was father of future King David Kalākaua, future Queen Liliʻuokalani.
Other children were James Kaliokalani, Anna Kaʻiulani, Kaiminaauao, Likelike and Leleiohoku. Each of his children were hānai or adopted by different noble families.
Kalākaua was given to the Chiefess Haʻaheo. Liliʻuokalani was given to Abner Paki and Laura Konia. Kaliokalani was given to his maternal grandfather Aikanaka.
Leleiohoku was given to the Princess Ruth Keelikolani. Kaʻiulani was given to the Princess Kekauonohi. Kaiminiaauao was given to Kamehameha III and Queen Kalama. Likelike was given to family in Kona. (Kravitz)
Kapa‘akea served in the House of Nobles from April 4, 1845 to his death and Privy Council from 1846. He served Kamehameha III, Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V. (Kravitz) He died November 13, 1866 and was buried in a tomb at Kawaiaha‘o Cemetery.
His remains, and that of his wife, Ane Keohokālole, were transferred to Mauna Ala on November 30, 1875. “The transfer was made under military escort, with torches, between the hours of eight and nine pm.” (Hawaiian Gazette, December 1, 1875)
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Nickie says
I was curious about how the parents felt when their children was hanai to other families. Why were they given to other families to raise? Did they have kids knowing that they will have to give them up, were they REQUIRED to do so.
HIRAM RESPICIO says
many reasons for this, spread the power to other families through bloodlines, difficulties in raising too many offspring, to repay family obligations to other bloodline family members, to carry on the practice of “hanai”, and to keep the political peace.
Nickie says
Thanks for your reply, thought provoking. Mahalo