NOVEMBER 24, 1868

MATAIO KEKŪANAŌʻA—KUHINA NUI FATHER OF KINGS-DIED

Born in 1791, Kekūanaōʻa’s name meant “The Standing Projection” in Hawaiian.  He was a close companion of King Kamehameha II in his youth, and was with him in England when the King & Queen Kamāmalu died of measles in 1824.  Returning to Hawaii, Mataio married 2 wives of his late sovereign: Pauahi & Elizabeth Kīnaʻu.  Marrying Kīnaʻu in 1827, who ruled as the Kuhina Nui under the name Kaʻahumanu II, he fathered David Kamehameha, Moses Kekūāiwa, Lot Kapuāiwa, Alexander Liholiho, and Victoria Kamāmalu.  Sons Alexander and Lot became Kings Kamehameha IV & Kamehameha V.  Victoria would become the 5^th Kuhina Nui as Kaʻahumanu IV.  After Kīnaʻu’s death in 1839, Kekūanaōʻa became Royal Governor of Oʻahu (1839–1864), was a member of the House of Nobles  (1841–68), Privy Council (1845–69), and President, Board of Education (1860-68).  On December 21, 1863, he became the last Kuhina Nui, as the position was abolished by the Constitution of 1864.  Mataio died in Honolulu.

Sources:  
"Death of His Highness Mataio Kekuanaoa," The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. 11/28/1868.  Retrieved 1/12/2021, The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, November 28, 1868, Image 2 « Chronicling America « Library of Congress (loc.gov)
 Wikipedia
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