Kalaninuiamamao | |
---|---|
Spouse |
Kamakaimoku Kekaulike-i-Kawekiuonalani Kapaihi-a-Ahu Kalanikumaikiekia Kaolanialii |
Issue |
Kalaniʻōpuʻu Keawemauhili Alapaiwahine |
House | House of Keawe |
Father | Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku |
Mother | Lonomaaikanaka |
Kalaninuiamamao (sometimes called Ka-I-i-Mamao or Kaeamamao) was a prince of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, or 1st Aliʻi Nui of Kaʻū, an ancestor of the Queen Liliuokalani. He is probably the Hawaiian chief with the most varied spelling of his name.
The Kumulipo was composed in honor of his birth and was passed by him to his daughter Alapaiwahine.
Kalaninuiamamao was born of Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, aliʻi nui of Hawaii, and his wife Lonomaaikanaka. He was his father's eldest son, but his rank was considered minor because of the distant relationship of his father and mother, unlike his brother Keeaumoku Nui who was the son of Princess Kalanikauleleiaiwi.
During his father's lifetime, he had established Kaiʻiʻmamao as Aliʻi Aimoku, principal chief of the District of Kaʻū. After the death of their father, the Big Island was divided with the brothers controlling only the Northern portions of the Big Island since Mokulani, who ruled over Hilo, Hāmākua, and part of Puna, declared himself independent of the two brothers, who apparently were unable to enforce their claims to the throne. Legend has it, that after Keawe's death, while both brothers were living in their respective territories a quarrel arose between them over the claim to the Big Island throne, and that Kaiʻiʻmamao was killed, or caused to be killed, by Keʻeaumoku Nui. One version of legend states that he was deposed ("Wailani") by the landholders ("Makaʻainana") of Kaʻū, who were a notoriously and proverbially turbulent people, frequently deposing, and even slaying, their chiefs, when, either from popular caprice of personal tyranny, they had become unpopular.