Kūkaniloko Explained

Kūkaniloko^[1] was an ancient Hawaiian noble lady, who became the High Chiefess (Hawaiian: Aliʻi Wahine) of the island of Oʻahu, and had a long reign.

Biography

Kūkaniloko was born on Oʻahu as a daughter of High Chief Piliwale and his spouse, High Chiefess Kawaʻalaʻauaka, his sister. Kūkanilokoʻs younger sister was called Kohipalaoa; they were Piliwaleʻs only children, and he had no sons.^[2] After Piliwale's death, Kūkaniloko became the first female ruler of the whole island of Oʻahu; although there were some female rulers on Oʻahu before Kūkaniloko — like Mualani — but they ruled only over the small portion of Oʻahu.

Marriage

Kūkaniloko married a man called Luaia,^[3] who was a chief from Maui. They had at least one child^[4] — Kalaʻimanuʻia,^[5] who became the High Chiefess of Oʻahu (after her mother's death).^{[6] [7]}

See also

• Aliʻi nui of Oʻahu

Notes and References

1. She was probably named after the god called Kū.
2. Johannes C. Andersen. Tuttle Publishing, 2012. Myths & Legends of the Polynesians. "Piliwale had two daughters, but no son."
3. Kamakau, Samuel Mānaiakalani, Ka Nupepa Kuokoa (newspaper). 1865. "Ka Moolelo O Hawaii Nei".
4. It is possible that Kūkaniloko and her spouse also had a son named Kauhimakapaweo.
5. P. Grimshaw, K. Holmes, M. Lake (2001). Women's Rights and Human Rights: International Historical Perspectives. P. 77.
6. [Abraham Fornander|Fornander, Abraham]
7. [Samuel Kamakau|Kamakau, Samuel Mānaiakalani]