High Chiefess Kalanikauleleiaiwi- Brook Kapukuniahi Parker
9” X 12” Canvas Genesis Oil
The very sacred High Chiefess Kalanikauleleiaiwi, a daughter of Queen Keakealaniwahine (mother) and King Kaneikakuaiwilani (father) of the Big Island is the inheritor of all the most sacred Kapu gathered from Hawaii to Kauai. She could claim the lineage of every ruling family on every island. She was the end result of over 300 years of careful genetic engineering. The actual architects of those marriage arrangements could be considered brilliant, their posturing, manipulations, and calculations, resulted in the most complex and sophisticated social structure found in all of Polynesia. She would become the mother of kings. Every ruling chief and major Ali’i on every island at the time of Cook’s arrival in 1778 could lay claim to this very special matriarch. Kalanikauleleiaiwi was brought up in high security in a pa (enclosed compound) to ensure her chastity. She was to marry into the most influential and powerful of island families. Her children would be considered of the highest born Ali’i through out the entire Hawaiian archipelago. Her first born would become her most senior in rank.
1. Her first husband Kaulaheanuiokamoku (Kaulahea) was from Maui. He was of the Pi’ilani family line and was heir to a long line of powerful and great Maui rulers. Prestige and honor is bestowed on their first child, a daughter named Kekuiapoiwanui. Kaulahea’s son, Kekaulike by another wife has arrangements made to marry his half sister, Kekuiapoiwanui. Their marriage is consideed a niaupi’o marriage. The combination of them being so closely related and her being of the highest rank insure their children superior status among all island chiefly families. This sibling marriage produces four children; they are Kamehamehanuiailuau, a son, Kalolapupuka, (Kalola) a daughter, Kuho’oheiheipahu, a daughter (died young) and another son, Kahekilinuiahumanu, (Kahekili, King of Maui). The three remaining siblings would play major roles in the closing chapters of Hawaiian history.
2. Her second husband is from her home island, she marries her half brother, Keaweekahiali’iokamoku(Keawe), ruling chief of most of the island of Hawaii. They have the same mother, Keakealaniwahine, but Keawe’s father is Kanaloakapulehu. Born to this sibling couple are two children; Kalanike’eaumoku, a son, and Kekelaokalani a daughter.
3. Her third husband is a high chief from Kohala, Kauauanuiamahi. She bears him a son by the name of Alapa’inuiakauaua (Alapa’i).
4. Her fourth husband and purportedly her true love, is a high chief from Kauai named Lonoikahaupu. She bears him a daughter Kanoena and a son Keawepoepoe. These siblings are joined in a Pi’o (full brother/sister) marriage and they have born to them three children, Kailaupule, a girl, and twin sons, Kame’eiamoku and Kamanawa. Keawepoepoe through another wife has a son named Ke’eaumokupapaiahiahi, (father to future Queen Ka’ahumanu).
These three brothers will rise in position and influence yet future in the court of their young nephew Kamehameha Kunuiakea (Kamehameha).
5. Kalanikauleleiaiwi is reported to have finally married a High Chief from Kohala named Kanekoa. To them was born a daughter named Po’omaikalani.
Birds and Calabash- Marian Berger
Kamehameha Sacrificing to Pele- Herb Kawainui Kane
In 1801, a lava flow from Mt. Hualalai (Big Island) covered fishponds and villages for miles along the shoreline of North Kona. When efforts by the priests to appease the volcano goddess Pele failed to stop the flow, Kamehameha traveled by canoe to where the flow was entering the sea. At the edge of the flow he cut off some of his hair, wrapped it in ti leaves and cast it into the lava. Making a gift to Pele of a part of himself was the highest gift he could make, for as a female spirit Pele could not receive human sacrifice. The flow soon stopped.
by Yago Hortal
RYAN I bet you’d be in a polygamous relationship with all of Yago’s works if you could.
(Source: ryandonato, via absentia-deactivated20111017-de)
Brook Kapukuniahi Parker: Completed the contract for the new Disney Aulani Hotel opening August 2011 in Ko Olina, O’ahu.
Keoua Kuahu’ula kills Keawemauhili- Brook Kapuniahi Parker
Following the death of King Kalaniʻōpuʻu in 1782, the Big Island was war torn. While the kingship was inherited by Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s son Kiwalaʻo, Kamehameha was given a prominent religious position, guardianship of the Hawaiian god of war, Kūkaʻilimoku, as well as the district of Waipiʻo valley.
Keoua Kuahu’ula took Ka’u and part of Puna; Keawemauhili, the uncle of Keoua, kept Hilo and southern Hamakua, and Kamehameha held Kona, Kohala, and northern Hamakua.
In time, Keoua Kuahu’ula faced his uncle Keavemauhili and killed him in battle. He holds the lei niho palaoa over his head in victory.
The lei niho palaoa was a very important symbol of rank for the highest Ali‘i (royalty). It was a carved hook pendant made from the ivory of a whale’s tooth and was strung on thousands of finely braided strands of human hair. These significant lei were worn by Ali‘i of both genders. These whale teeth were collected from carcass that would wash ashore at specific places in the islands. Theses wahi pana (sacred places) were considered important areas to control in order to have access to the mana that these items brought. Control over these spots, like Kualoa on O‘ahu, might mean control over the entire island.
My kapuna (grandmother) still has our family’s.
Author’s Note: When in “da zone” the paint really flows, I started this on Monday, finished yesterday. After doing all those Ali’i Wahine portraits I felt a strong urge to re-connect with my “KU” side
A Pantheon of Volcano Spirits
Kamapua’a, the hog god; a mischievous spirit of rain, moisture and plant life. He was Pele’s lover, but in all ways her opposite. Theirs was a stormy relationship.
Poliahu, goddess of snowy Mauna Kea — a sister and a jealous rival to Pele locked in an eternal ice and fire enmity.
Pele’s sisters, Kapo and Laka, two personalities of the same spirit — one a spirit of fertility and sorcery, the other a spirit of the dance.
Hi’iaka, a spirit of the dance, was Pele’s favorite sister.
Pele, appearing as a beautiful young woman and as an old hag.
Ka-moho-ali’i, respected elder brother and keeper of the water of life. As a great shark he led Pele to Hawaii.
Lonomakua, keeper of the sacred fire sticks, made volcanic fires at Pele’s command.
Ka-poho-i-kahi-ola, spirit of explosions.
Ke-ua-a-ke-po, spirit of the rain of fire.
Kane-hekili, spirit of thunder.
Ke-o-ahi-kama-kaua, spirit of lava fountains.
(left to right)
