John Adams Kuakini

John Adams Kuakini
Royal Governor of Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu
An 1822 sketch by William Ellis
Born	c. 1789
Died	December 9, 1844(1844-12-09) Kailua-Kona
Spouse	High Chiefess Keoua High Chiefess Haʻaheo
Issue	High Chief Keoua High Chiefess Kamānele
Full name Kaluaikonahale
Father	Keʻeaumoku Pāpaiahiahi
Mother	NāmāhānaʻiʻKaleleokalani

John Adams Kiʻiapalaoku Kuakini (1789–1844) was an important adviser to Kamehameha I in the early stages of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was responsible for much building and other changes in the Kona District during this era.

He was born about 1789 with the name Kaluaikonahale. His father was Keʻeaumoku Pāpaiahiahi, an aliʻi (noble) from the island of Hawaiʻi, and his mother was NāmāhānaʻiʻKaleleokalani, the widow queen and half-sister of the late king of Maui, Kamehameha Nui.

His father became a fugitive from King Kahekili II of Maui. Escaping to Hana, the family moved back to Hawaiʻi island and lived on Kahaluʻu Bay. He was the youngest of four important siblings: sisters Queen Kaʻahumanu, Kamehameha's favorite wife and later became the powerful Kuhina nui, Kalākua Kaheiheimālie and Namahana-o-Piʻia, also queens of Kamehameha, and brother George Cox Kahekili Keʻeaumoku, who later became the Governor of Maui. His father helped Kamehameha I come to power in the battle of Mokuʻōhai in 1782.

With the introduction of Christianity, Hawaiians were encouraged to take British or American names. As an example of his royal manner, he chose the name John Adams after John Quincy Adams, the U.S. president in office at the time. He adopted the name as well as other customs of the U.S. and Europe.