Hawaiian chief patriarch of the House of Kalākaua
Kapaʻakea was born in Kuiaha, Maui, about 1815. His father was High Chief Kamanawa II and mother was High Chiefess Kamokuiki. He was a great grandson of one of the five Kona chiefs who supported Kamehameha I in his uprising against Kīwalaʻō, Kame"eiamoku, one of the royal twins on the Coat of Arms of Hawaii.
The name Kapaʻakea translates as "the coral or limestone surface" in Hawaiian. His Christian name was spelled several different ways, such as "Ceaser" in the state archives, or "Kaisera" in the style of the Hawaiian language. His family was relatively of high rank and reputation until it was tarnished in 1840 when his father murdered his mother and was consequently hanged.
In the Great Mahele of 1848, he received few lands parceled out to the aliʻi or high chiefs.
She was of a higher rank than he. He and Keohokālole had over 10 children although several died young.
Liliʻuokalani was given to Abner Pākī and Laura Kōnia. Kalākaua was given to the Chiefess Haʻaheo.
Leleiohoku was given to the Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani.
Kaʻiulani was given to the Kekauʻōnohi. Kaʻiminiaʻauao was given to Kamehameha III and Queen Kalama. Likelike was given to a family in Kona.
He served in the House of Nobles from April 4, 1845 to his death and Privy Council from 1846.
He served Kamehameha III, Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V. Kapaʻakea died November 13, 1866, aged 51 years, at Honolulu, Oahu.
