Hiram Kahanawai
| Hiram Kahanawai | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 1837 Luaʻehu, Lahaina, Maui, Kingdom of Hawaii |
| Died | August 7, 1874 (aged 36) Honolulu, Oahu, Kingdom of Hawaii |
| Resting place | Oahu Cemetery |
| Nationality | Kingdom of Hawaii |
| Spouse(s) | Poʻomaikelani |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Hawaii |
| Service/branch | Hawaiian Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Household Troops |
Hiram Kahanawai, also known as Hairama Kahanawai, (September 1837 – August 7, 1874) was a member of the Hawaiian nobility who served as a retainer and household steward of King Kamehameha IV and his widow Queen Emma of Hawaii. He married the future Princess Poʻomaikelani, and they joined the court of King Kalākaua after he won the royal election of 1874 against Queen Emma.
Hiram Kahanawai was born on September 1837, at Luaʻehu, Lahaina, on the island of Maui, to Kaʻaha and Kamaile. His paternal grandmother Kahikaheana was a trusted kahu (caretaker) who served the family of High Chief Kalaʻimamahū, a brother of King Kamehameha I, and his daughter Kekāuluohi. During the Great Māhele of 1848, his father received the land allotments on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Kauai including half of the ʻili of Kawananakoa, in Honolulu, the ahupuaʻa of Kaulalo, near Lahaina and the ʻili of Kuiloa, near Hanapepe. Kaʻaha died before 1852 and left all his landholding to his son. On May 29, 1852, Kahanawai was placed under the guardianship of his brother-in-law William Luther Moehonua, the husband of his sister Lucy Muolo. He was also a relative of Queen Emma of Hawaii, by a junior line of descent, and distant relative of the family of Kalākaua and Liliuokalani.
During his youth, he continued his family kuleana (responsibility) in serving the Hawaiian royal family. He served as the chief steward and butler in the royal household under King Kamehameha IV and his wife Queen Emma from 1855 to 1863. On October 15, 1853, Kahanawai had been appointed by the king, while he was heir-apparent to Kamehameha III, as First Lieutenant of the Infantry in the Royal Hawaiian army. After Kamehameha IV's death, he continued to serve the household of the Queen Dowager Emma during her widowhood.
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