Kūkaniloko

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

Kūkaniloko, Chiefess of Oʻahu
Born	Oahu, ancient Hawaii
Spouse(s)	Luaia
Children	Kalaʻimanuʻia
Parent(s)	Piliwale of Oʻahu Paʻakanilea of Oʻahu

Biography

Lady Kūkaniloko was born on Oʻahu as a daughter of High Chief Piliwale and his spouse, High Chiefess Paʻakanilea. 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; 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 Chiefess of Oʻahu (after her mother's death).[6][7]

See also

• Alii nui of Oahu

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. Fornander, Abraham (circuit judge of Maui), An Account of the Polynesian Race: Its Origin and Migrations. Trubner & Company, Ludgate Hill, London (1880)/Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1969., p. 274.
7. Kamakau, Samuel Mānaiakalani, Ka Nupepa Kuokoa (newspaper). 1865. "He Mau Olele Mua No Ka Mookuauhau o Kamehameha I".