Kahekili I

For later chief of Maui, see Kahekili II.

Kahekili I was a king of Maui. He was a noted warrior chief who nearly destroyed his country. He was styled Kahekilinui or "Kahekili the Great" even though his greatness was small in comparison to his descendant Kahekili II. His name was short for Kāne-Hekili after the Hawaiian god of thunder.

He was a son of Kakae of Maui and High Chiefess Kapohauola. He succeeded his uncle Kakaalaneo as the ruler of Maui. He was known to have impoverished his Kingdom and people by his many war campaigns. Misfortunes seemed to befall all the 13th Moʻi of each of the four of the island chain.

Family

He married Haukanuimakamaka or Haukanimaka from Kauai. Kahekili was known to have had two children from her, a son named Kawao Kaohele, whose name means "Our-Days-of-Poverty" to commemorate the impoverishment of his kingdom, and a beautiful daughter named Keleanohoanaapiapi. He was succeeded by his son and his daughter married into the royal family of Oahu.