George Luther Kapeau
|
The Honourable George Luther Kapeau |
|
|---|---|
| Royal Governor of Hawaiʻi | |
|
In office 1846–1855 |
|
| Monarch |
Kamehameha III Kamehameha IV |
| Preceded by | William Pitt Leleiohoku I |
| Succeeded by | Ruth Keʻelikōlani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Maui, Hawaii |
| Died | October 1860 |
| Nationality | Kingdom of Hawaii |
| Spouse(s) | Julia Hoa |
| Children | George, Jr. |
| Occupation | Politician |
George Luther Kapeau (died 1860) was a noble and statesman in the Kingdom of Hawaii who was one of the first generation of Natuve Hawaiians to receive a Western education at the missionary founded Lahainaluna School. Despite his obscure family status, he rose to prominence as an advisor to King Kamehameha III. He served many government posts such Royal Governor of the Island of Hawaiʻi and member of the House of Nobles.
Kapeau was born in Honolulu in the early 19th century, possibly around 1811, to a largely obscure family of lower status. A chief of Maui descent, he was considered a kaukaualiʻi, lesser chiefs or nobles in service to the aliʻi nui (high chiefs). His names means "to crawl on one's knees before high royalty". Contemporary sources also differed on his status. Foreign visitors often called him a chief, especially during his capacity as royal governor, but most of his contemporaries like Samuel Kamakau, missionary Hiram Bingham I, and even King Kamehameha III considered him a makaʻāinana or commoner. Kapeau was one of the first non-royal Hawaiians to receive a western education from the missionaries who arrived in Hawaii in 1820. Enrolled at the Lahainaluna Seminary in 1833, he graduated after four years in 1837.
On June 8, 1839, on the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone of Kawaiahaʻo Church, Kapeau personally played part in the ceremony. He made a copper plate, the first engraving ever done by a Hawaiian, which was placed under the stone as a memorial to the Christian mission in Hawaii along with a copy of the newly translated Hawaiian Bible and two volumes on Mathematics and Anatomy. The copper plate read:
"This is a house for Jehovah the God of Heaven, the Father; the Son and the Holy Spirit; a house of prayer erected by the first church and congregation of Honolulu, a place for them to worship the true God. Those people who have been very helpful in this work are Kamehameha III., Kaahumanu II., Auhea, Liliha, Kekauonohi, Kekuanaoa, Governor of Oahu, Paki, and Keohokalole.
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