Aliʻi nui of Oahu facts for kids

The `aliʻi nui` (pronounced ah-LEE-ee NOO-ee) of Oʻahu was the supreme ruler or king of the island of Oʻahu, one of the four main Hawaiian Islands. These powerful leaders, just like the rulers of other islands, believed they were descendants of Wākea, a very important ancestor in Hawaiian traditions.

Nanaulu, who was a descendant of Wākea from 14 generations ago, was the ancestor of Kumuhonua. Kumuhonua is known as the first king of Oʻahu. He was also the brother of Moikeha, who was a king of Kauai from a later ruling family.

In 1783, Oʻahu was conquered by King Kahekili II of Maui. Later, Kahekili's son, Kalanikūpule, was defeated by King Kamehameha I in 1795 at the famous Battle of Nuʻuanu. The kings of Oʻahu often controlled the island of Molokai and used it as a place to relax in the summer. Oʻahu was also special because it had the first `Mo'iwahine`, which means a Queen regnant (a queen who rules in her own right) among any of the Hawaiian Islands.

List of Aliʻi Nui of Oʻahu

Here is a list of the known `aliʻi nui` who ruled Oʻahu:

• Mulielealiʻi
• Kumuhonua
• Elepuʻukahonua
•  ?
• Nawele
• Lakona
• Kapae-a-Lakona
• Haka of Oahu
• Maʻilikākahi
• Kālonaiki
• Piliwale
• Kūkaniloko
• Kalaimanuia
• Kūamanuia
• Kahikapuamanuia
• Kākuhihewa
• Kānekapu a Kākuhihewa
• Kaʻihikapu a Kākuhihewa
• Kahoʻowahaokalani
• Kauākahiakahoʻowaha
• Kūalii, ?–1730
• Kapiʻiohookalani, 1730–1737
• Kanahāokalani, 1737–1738
• Peleʻioholani (King of Kauai 1730–1770), 1738–1770
• Kūmahana, 1770–1773
• Kahahana, 1773–1783
• Conquered by Maui and ruled by Kahekili II and Kalanikūpule 1783–1795
• Conquered by Kamehameha I in 1795