The monarchs of
Maui, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from
Wākea and
Papa. They were sometimes referred to as
Mōī beginning in the mid 19th century, and would later become commonly translated from the
Hawaiian language into English as the word "
king".
Paumakua, the first ruler of Maui, was thirty-first in line of descent from Wakea. In the beginning, from about
Paumakua of Maui down to
Kawaokaohele's reign, the
Alii nui of Maui only controlled the much larger western portion of the island while the chiefs of Hana remained independent.
Mauiloa had tried to unite the island once, but troubles with the Hana chief continued. It was under
Piʻilani's reign that he conquered the east and united Maui for the first time.
Kahekili II expanded his empire by conquering the neighbouring island of
Oahu in 1783 and through marriage of his brother allied himself with the
Queen of Kauai. However, his son
Kalanikūpule was the last of his line. Maui was weakened when Kalanikupule and his uncle, Kaeokulani, fought over the succession to the throne. Maui along with Oahu fell to
Kamehameha I in 1795 and ushered in the
Kingdom of Hawaii. ==
Alii nui of Maui==