Ke'elikōlani, also known as Princess Ruth or Ruth Ke'elikōlani (1826-1883), was a member of both the Kamehameha Dynasty and Kalākaua Dynasty, and Governor of the Island of Hawai'i. Ruth became the largest landholder in the Kingdom of Hawai'i, owner of lands that would later become part of the present-day Kamehameha Schools/Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate as well as the estate of Sam Parker. Princess Ke'elikōlani was a staunch traditionalist.

Her father was Prince Alii Kahalaia Luanu'u (died 1826), Royal Highness and Governor of island of Kauai, a grandson of king Kamehameha I, being the only son of the king's third son prince Alii Kahoanuku Kinau and his wife lady Alii Kahakuhaakoi Wahine-pio from Maui; and her mother was his divorced wife Princess Alii Kalani Pauahi (1804-1826), Royal Highness, daughter of lord Alii Pauli Kaoleioku (eldest but just legimated natural son of Kamehameha I) and his second wife Alii Luahine Kahailiopua. Keelikolani was born 9 February 1826, after her mother had on 28 November 1825 already married her next husband, prince Mataio Kekuanaoa (1791-1827). Keelikolani's unorthodox birth was a reason she was regarded somewhat outside the legitimate birth of Hawaiian nobility.

Considered the least understood of the ali'i (the Hawaiian high nobility), or of the royal family of Hawai'i, Ruth was one of the more pivotal and influential characters in Hawaiian history. She was the great-granddaughter of Kamehameha the Great who created the united Kingdom of Hawai'i in 1810. She was the sister of Queen Victoria Kamamalu, wife of Liholiho who reigned as Kamehameha II. She was godmother to Princess Ka'iulani. After the death of Princess Likelike, Ruth made it a point to ensure Ka'iulani would be raised properly befitting her role as heir to the throne of Hawai'i after the reign of Queen Lili'uokalani. Unfortunately, events and Ka'iulani's untimely death prevented Ka'iulani from fully assuming that role. (See Republic of Hawaii).

Family

Her first husband, from 1841, was Alii William Pitt Leleiohoku (1821-48), Governor of Hawaii, former husband of Princess Harriet Nahaena'ena, a son of Alii William Pitt Kalanimoku and his wife, Alii Kiliwehi.

Her second husband, married 2nd June 1856 and divorced 1868, was Isaac Young Davis (1824-82), son of George Hueu Davis and his wife, Kahaanapilo Papa.

She bore two sons, who both died underage:

• William John Pitt Kinau (1842-59), son of Leleiohoku.

• Keola-o-kalani Davis (died 1863), son of Mr Davis.

Her adopted son, another Leleiohoku (1854-77), crown prince of Hawaii, died 1877, when 23 years old.

Life of Tragedy

Of all the ali'i, scholars believe that Ruth was most underestimated in the consideration of her vast achievements. She may have been underestimated, they say, because she did not have the beauty and personage that other members of the royal family enjoyed. And while famous for her achievements, Ruth's life was plagued with tragedies. Her mother died giving birth to her. After she got married, her 22-year-old husband died. All three of her natural children died before reaching adulthood, including Prince William Pitt Kina'u who was only 17. William Pitt Leleiohoku, heir to the throne of Hawai'i and Ruth's adopted son, was inflicted with rheumatic fever and died at the age of 23.

Defender of Tradition

Ruth was a staunch defender of ancient Hawaiian traditions and customs. While the kingdom became Christianized, Anglicized and urbanized, she continued living as an ali'i of antiquity. While her royal estates were filled with elegant palaces and mansions built for her family, she chose to live in a large stone-raised grass hut. While she understood English and knew how to speak it with ease and grace, she refused to do so. She used the Hawaiian language exclusively throughout her life. She also refused to accept Christianity and continued to worship the traditional gods and various aumakua, or ancestral spirits.

Ruth disliked modernization. When the ruling monarchs asked her to pose for official photographs, she often refused. Only a dozen photographs of Ruth are known to exist.

She died at Hulihee House, Kailua, Kona, Hawaii Island, 15 May 1883, and was buried in the Kamehameha Crypt, Royal Mausoleum, Mauna 'Ala, Nu'uanu Valley, Oahu.

Legacy

It is on lands owned by Ruth that such sites as downtown Honolulu, Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu International Airport, Kamehameha Schools, Moana Hotel, Princess Kaiulani Hotel, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, among others, exist today.

See also

• Hulihe'e Palace – Kailua-Kona home of Princess Ruth
• Keoua Hale – Palace of Princess Ruth

1826 births | 1883 deaths | Royal Family of Hawaii