Abner Pākī
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Abner Kuho'oheiheipahu Pākī 1808 - 1855 was a Hawaiian chief and noble man of high political status during the reign of Kamehameha III and also being father of Princess Bernice Pauahi Paki founder of Kamehameha Schools.
[edit] Life
He was born ca. 1808 on the island of Molokai. His father was High Chief Kalani-hele-maiiluna Paki, the grandson of Kamehamehanui Ailuau the 24th Mo'i of Maui.
He was a closed intimate friend of Kamehameha III the reigning Hawaiian king. He served his king as Privy Councillor, Chamberlain to the King, Judge of the Supreme Court, acting Governor of Hawaii. The most prominent feature of his character was his firmness; when he took a stand he was immovable. [1]
He married first the High Chiefess Kuini Liliha but their marriage produce no children. He later married Kamehameha III's niece the Princess Laura Konia, daughter of Kamehameha III's half-brother Pauli Kaoleioku. They had daughter Princess Bernice Pauahi Paki. She was hanaied (adopted) at birth to the Premier, Kinau. He and his wife arranged a marriage between her daughter and, Kinau's and Kekuanaoa's son, Prince Lot.
His daughter opposed her parent's decision. She wished to married for love and say their was no love between her and Lot beside the love of a brother toward his sister. He, his wife, and Governor Kekuanaoa told Bernice it was her duty as a high chiefess to marry a high chief of rank. Her daughter later married Charles Reed Bishop, an American. He never attended his daughter's wedding at Royal School.
He and Konia had a hanaied daughter, Lydia Paki. Hanai was a tradition of giving up ones child, practiced by the Hawaiian chiefs and commoners alike, to a close relative or friend. It was to strengthen family ties and the ohana. The missionaries condemned hanai as immoral and wrong, stating that you don't give up your child like puppies. Their foster daughter was the natural daughter of Analea Keohokalole and Caesar Kapaakea. Lydia grew up on Paki's residence in Honolulu, on King Street. The estate was called Haleakala, or House of the Sun, and the residence received the name of Aikupika; but both these are forgotten now in that of the Arlington Hotel. The residence was build by Paki himself from the original grass hut at the site.
In his unpublished sketches of the "Chiefs of Honolulu," at the court of Kamehameha III., Mr. Gilman has thus written of Paki in details:
"A. Paki is one of the conspicuous personages in the (audience) room, being upwards of six feet-six feet four inches-in height, and weighing about three hundred pounds. Although of this colossal size, he is of equal and fine proportions-no one feature being more prominent than another. He generally stands to receive the visitors and exerts himself to be attractive and affable His is of high rank by birth, as well as stature, and, it is said, at one time had more land and tenants than his Majesty himself, which, for some political eruption, were taken from him and the other concerned. And for the same reason, he had never received any appointment of influence other thn he hold as one of the superior judges. Be this as it may, he seems to be now in full favor and truly loyal, and is receiving again some of the lands formerly held. He is one of his Majesty's aides and alway accompanies him on visits to different parts of his Kingdom. As Chamberlain, he presides over the internal economy of the palace, the expenditure of funds,etc., and one sight of the whole premised shows that every attention has been bestowed (on them.) He speaks English but litte, tho' he often attempts it. He is a member in the regular standing of the Mis. Ch, (Kawaiahao) as well as his wife, a chiefess of direct descent from the Kings of Hawaiii, and noted for her kind heartendness and hospitality. Tho' not figuring conspicuously at Court in Honolulu, she is known and regarded as one of those who are patterns. Miss Bernice is their daughter, in whom they feel a justifiable pride."
[edit] Death
On the death of Kamehameha III, Paki prophesied he would only outlive his master for a few month. He died on Oahu, 13th June 1855 at his estate of Haleakala. He had planned on giving all his land and estates to his foster daughter Lydia but changed his mind and left all his properties to her daughter Bernice. Liliuokalani would always feel disappointment that her foster sister, Bernice, had not willed her their father estate of Haleakala where she grew up as a child and from which she was married to her husband John Owen Dominis.[2]
[edit] Reference
- ^ The Memoirs of Hon. Bernice Pauahi Bishop By Mary Hannah Krout, Page 6
- ^ Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen
