Maweke Explained

According to the Hawaiian chants, Chief Maweke (also spelled Māweke in Hawaiian; Hawaiian pronunciation: MAH-WEH-KEH) was a chief of the highest known rank who lived in the 11th century.^[1] He is described in the legends as a wizard (or priest, kahuna in Hawaiian language) and an Aliʻi (a noble) of "the blue blood" (a Hawaiian nobleman of the highest rank). He was an ancestor of the royalty of the island of Oahu.^[2]

He was not of Hawaiian origin, but came to Hawaii from Tahiti and was famous for his knowledge of black magic. His famous ancestor was Nanaulu.^[3]

His parents are named in the chants as Kekupahaikala (father) and Maihikea (mother).^[4]

When he arrived to Oahu, Maweke erected a temple to the god called Kanaloa.^[5] Maweke married a woman named Naiolaukea (Naiolakea).^[6] They had children:

• Mulielealiʻi
• Kaehunui
• Kalehenui^[7]
• Keaunui, father of the High Chiefess Nuʻakea of Molokai^{[8] [9]}
• Kamoeaulani

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hawaiian Mythology: Part Three. The Chiefs: XXV. The Moikeha-La'a Migration . 2023-10-11 . sacred-texts.com.
2. Annual Report of the Hawaiian Historical Society, Volumes 40-46. Hawaiian Historical Society, 1932.
3. https://apps.ksbe.edu/kaiwakiloumoku/Maweke Māweke, A Voyaging Aliʻi
4. Kamakau, Samuel Manaiakalani, Ka Nupepa Kuokoa (Newspaper). 1865. Ka Moolelo O Hawaii Nei Helu 14 (The History of Hawaii No. 14).
5. http://www.kekoolani.org/pages/kekoolani%20genealogy%20database%20(paf)/pafg83.htm#1253 Family of Maweke
6. Kamakau, Samuel M., Ruling Chiefs of Hawaii (Revised Edition). Appendix Genealogies (Kamehameha Schools Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1961).
7. Patrick Vinton Kirch (2010). How Chiefs Became Kings: Divine Kingship and the Rise of Archaic States in Ancient Hawai'i.
8. [Kalākaua]
9. Native Planters in Old Hawaii: their life, lore, and environment; by Edward Smith Craighill Handy; Elizabeth Green Handy; Mary Kawena Pukui. Honolulu, 1972