OCTOBER 3, 1864

HAWAIIAN OFFICIAL LEVI HA’ALELEA DIED

Born circa 1822 in Lahaina, Maui, Levi’s father was Governor of the island of Molokai; his half-brother was secretary to Kamehameha III and envoy of the Kingdom.  His Hawaiian name meant “Man Sacrificed when cutting an ʻŌhiʻa Tree for an Image.”  After attending Lahainaluna Seminary, Levi became kahu (caretaker) for High Chief Leleiohoku, grandson of Kamehameha I and later a hulumanu (court favorite) of Kamehameha III.  The Great Mahale (Land Redistribution) of 1848 helped make him the largest landowner on Molokai.  Levi also held lands on Oahu, Maui, Lanai and the island of Hawaii.  Haʻalelea was a member of the Privy Council of State (1852-55) and member of the House of Nobles (1853-62).  He also served as Chamberlain of the Royal Court, a staff officer for both Kamehameha III and Prince Lot (future Kamehameha V), and, in 1860, accompanied Lot to British Columbia and California.  Haʻalelea died in Honolulu.

Sources: 
 "Another Chief Dead," The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu. October 8, 1864. p. 2. Retrieved 7/20/2020, https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82015418/1864-10-08/ed-1/seq-2/
 Wikipedia
Painting:  Enoch Wood Perry, Jr. (1831-1915), circa 1864. Public Domain.  Source:  Hawaii State Archives.