Keʻelikōlani
Ruth Ke‘elikōlani, or sometimes written as Luka Ke‘elikōlani, also known as Ruth Ke‘elikōlani Keanolani Kanāhoahoa or Ruth Keanolani Kanāhoahoa Ke‘elikōlani (June 17, 1826 – May 24, 1883), was a member of the House of Kamehameha who served as Governor of the Island of Hawaiʻi and for a period, was the largest and wealthiest landowner in the Hawaiian islands. Keʻelikōlani's genealogy is controversial. Her mother's identity has never been in question but her grandfather Pauli Kaōleiokū's relationship to Kamehameha I is heavily disputed. While her father has been legally identified as early as 1864, disputes to that lineage continued as late as 1919. As one of the primary heirs to the Kamehameha family, Ruth became landholder of much of what would become the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, funding the Kamehameha Schools.
| Keʻelikōlani | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Honorable | |||||
Keʻelikōlani in 19th-century photograph | |||||
| Born | June 17, 1826 Honolulu, Oʻahu, Kingdom of Hawaiʻi | ||||
| Died | May 24, 1883 (aged 56) Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi, Kingdom of Hawaiʻi | ||||
| Burial | June 17, 1883 Mauna ʻAla Royal Mausoleum | ||||
| Spouse | William Pitt Leleiohoku I Isaac Young Davis | ||||
| Issue | John William Pitt Kīnaʻu Keolaokalani Pākī Bishop William Pitt Leleiohoku II (hānai) | ||||
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| House | Kamehameha | ||||
| Father | Mataio Kekūanaōʻa | ||||
| Mother | Kalani Pauahi | ||||
Her name Keʻelikōlani means leaf bud of heaven.