Family Alapaʻi was a son of Chief Kauaua-a-Mahi and Chiefess
Kalanikauleleiaiwi. Alapaʻi's brother was
Haae-a-Mahi, and Alapaʻi's half-siblings included
Kekuʻiapoiwa I and
Kalanikeʻeaumoku, who were also Alapaʻi's first cousins by virtue of Kalanikauleleiaiwi's other marriages. The king of the island was
Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku. Alapaʻi ruled as the chief of
Kohala, subordinate to the King of Hawaiʻi.
Reign After the death of his uncle Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku and the subsequent civil war between
Kalanikeʻeaumoku and
Kalaninuiamamao, Alapaʻi emerged as the victor and usurped the throne of Hawaiʻi. He reigned during one of the bloodiest period of
Hawaiian history in an era of great warrior king fighting for the domination over the neighboring islands. War continued between the century-old rivals Hawaiʻi and Maui during the early part of his rule while the old Kekaulike was still on the throne. After Kekaulike's death, his relations with Maui were friendly, and he helped his nephew Kamehamehanui Aiʻlūʻau regain his throne from his half-brother Kauhiaimokuakama. His reign also saw a bitter conflict between Hawaiʻi and
Oahu over the latter's invasion of the island of
Molokai, where Alapaʻi's relatives ruled. Alapaʻi invaded Moloka`i and killed Oʻahu's Ali`i Aimoku
Kapiiohookalani (Kapiono-o-kalani) at the Battle of
Kawela and later invaded the island of Oʻahu in 1736. Kanaha-o-kalani became 21st Ali`i Aimoku of O`ahu succeeding his father Kapiiohookalani. Kapiʻiohookalani's brother Peleʻioholani returned from Kauaʻi and repelled Alapaʻi's invasion force on O`ahu, taking up a counter-offensive on Moloka`i and Maui by allying with Chief Kauhiaimokuakama, Ali`i of Maui. The war eventually ended in a truce between Alapaʻi and Peleʻioholani. He later reconciled with the baby and allowed it to be raised at his court placing him in the charge of his favorite wife Keaka. Alapaʻinui was also married to ʻUmiaemoku; they had a child, Keaweamahi. Alapa’i had many descendants,
Duke Kahanamoku,
Julia Alapai, and Kawaawaaiki Alapa’inui Naehu were some of many of Alapaʻi's descendants. Julia Alapai (poor quality).jpg| File:Duke Kahanamoku in his late teens.jpg| After his death in 1754, Alapaʻinui was initially succeeded by his son Keaweʻōpala, however, Keaweʻōpala would eventually be overthrown by
Kalaniʻōpuʻu. == References ==