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 ("gather ...
, 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
Hanalaa was a High Chief who lived on the island of Maui in ancient Hawaii. Hanalaʻa had control over portions of Western Maui and is mentioned in legends and chants, where his family tree is given.
Family
Hanalaʻa was a son of Palena of Maui ...
, 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 was a High Chief (''Aliʻi'') of Maui. He is mentioned in legends and old chants and was likely a semi-historical person or character from myths.
He had control over portions of Western Maui and relied on the allegiance of many district ...
. 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 language, Tahitian , ; ) is the largest island of the Windward Islands (Society Islands), Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France. It is located in the central part of t ...
), where their children were born. Their son was
Pilikaʻaiea
Pilikaʻaiea (or Pili-auau; the short form: Pili) was ''Aliʻi nui of Hawaii, Aliʻi Nui'' of Hawaii (island), Hawaiʻi. He was a sovereign Tribal chief, chief, who deposed the indigenous chief, Kapawa.
Name
The Hawaiian word ''pili'' is the n ...
, whilst their daughter was
Hina-au-kekele
Hina-au-kekele (also known as Hina-au-aku, Hinauapu or simply Hina) was a Hawaiian noble Alii nui of Hawaii, lady and Chiefess of the Island of Hawaii (island), Hawaii (Big Island). She was the sister-wife of the High Chief Pilikaaiea of Hawaii, ...
.
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 Hawaii, Aliʻi Nui'' of Hawaii (island), Hawaiʻi. He was a sovereign Tribal chief, chief, who deposed the indigenous chief, Kapawa.
Name
The Hawaiian word ''pili'' is the n ...
.
References
{{Reflist
Bibliography
*Peleioholani, Solomon Lehuanui Kalaniomaiheuila (1906). ''Genealogy of the Robinson family, and ancient legends and chants of Hawaii''.
Hawaiian chiefs