Kekuʻiapoiwa I facts for kids

Kekuʻiapoiwa I was a powerful chiefess from the island of Hawaiʻi and Maui. She was also known as Kekuʻiapoiwa Nui, which means "Kekuʻiapoiwa the Great." Her full name was Kekuʻiapoiwa-nui Kalani-kauhihiwakama Wanakapu. She played an important role in the history of the Hawaiian Islands.

Life of Kekuʻiapoiwa I

Kekuʻiapoiwa was born in the late 1600s or early 1700s. Her mother was the High Chiefess Kalanikauleleiaiwi. Her father was Kaulahea II, who was the king of Maui. This made Kekuʻiapoiwa a niece of King Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku. She was also a granddaughter of Queen Keākealaniwahine.

Her Family and Marriages

Kekuʻiapoiwa stayed on Maui. She married Kekaulike, a powerful chief. Together, they started the Kekaulike Dynasty of Maui. A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family. This family produced many important leaders and nobles in the early days of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Kekuʻiapoiwa was also a sister to Alapainui and Haʻae. She was an aunt to Kekuʻiapoiwa II, who was the mother of the famous King Kamehameha I.

Her Children and Grandchildren

Kekuʻiapoiwa I had several children. Her sons included Kamehamehanui Aiʻluau and Kahekili II. Kahekili II later became a very important ruler. She was also the grandmother of Kalanikūpule. Kalanikūpule was one of the last powerful chiefs in the long line of ʻAliʻi Aimoku (ruling chiefs) in the Hawaiian Islands.

Kekuʻiapoiwa also had a daughter named Kalola. Kalola married Kalaniʻōpuʻu and his half-brother Keōua. Kalola had children named Kīwalaʻō and Kekuiapoiwa Liliha. Kekuʻiapoiwa I had another daughter named Kekelaokalani. Her father was Kauakahiakua, a distant cousin. Kekelaokalani became the mother of Peleuli, who was one of King Kamehameha I's wives.