‘Ahu ‘ula o Kahekilinuiʻahumanu
On display at the
In 2020, Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) commissioned a replica of the cape and helmet of Hawaiian High Chief Kahekili. The collection will remain on permanent display at Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk.
These intricate pieces were created by renowned Hawaiian featherwork artist Rick San Nicolas based on the painting “Aha‘ula O Kamehameha Kunuiākea” by Brook Kapukuniahi Parker, an artist and Hawaiian historian. Both San Nicolas and Parker are direct descendants of King Kamehameha.
Kahekili was born in Hāli'imaile on the island of Maui. His father was Kekaulike Kalani-nui-Kui-Hono-i-Kamoku, the 23rd Mo'i of Maui. His mother was Kekuaipoiwa-nui- Kalani-Kauhihiwakama Wanakapu (Kekuiapoiwa 1, half-sister of Kekaulike). He lived from 1737 – 1794. It is believed that he was the biological father of King Kamehameha the Great.
In 1765, Kahekili inherited all of Maui Nui and O‘ahu and was appointed ali‘i successor to his brother, Kamehamehanui’s, kingdom (not to be confused with Hawai‘i Island’s Kamehameha the Great, Kahekili's son).
An absolutely fearsome leader, half of Kahekili’s body was tattooed entirely black so that he would match the description of his namesake, Kāne-Hekili, the Hawaiian God of thunder.
In traditional Hawaiian society, the konohiki were a specialized class of chiefs appointed by the Aliʻi Nui (high chiefs) to steward their land, water and human resources. Their self-sustaining and holistic methods of land and resource stewardship became known as the Konohiki System.
