Joshua Kaʻeo, was a Hawaiian high chief or nobleman of Big Island descent, the uncle of Queen Emma of Hawaii, and an early Hawaiian politician and advisor of Kamehameha III.
Background
His father was Asa Kaʻeo, a grandson or son of Manoua, the daughter of King Kalaniʻōpuʻu and one of his wives, Mulehu, from a noble family of the Kaʻū district. Mulehu was also the grandmother of Abner Pākī (one of Kaʻeo"s own contemporaries) through a second marriage and great-grandmother of Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
Career
His mother is named Paaluanui. He was distant cousin to Kamehameha I since his great (great) grandfather Kalaniʻōpuʻu was Kamehameha I"s half-uncle. At one time, he was the Judge of the Supreme Court of Hawaii from 1844 to 1848, succeeding Zorobabela Kaʻauwai who resigned in November, 1846.
He was named after Jane"s ancestor Keliʻimaikaʻi, Kamehameha"s only full brother.
Membership
He was member of the King"s Privy Council from 1845 to 1850 and a member of House of Nobles from 1845 to 1856. Educated at Royal School, he became a member of the House of Nobles but later contracted leprosy and was sent to leper colony at Kalawao.