Board of Genealogy of Hawaiian Chiefs

Board of Genealogy of Hawaiian Chiefs Remembering the work of the BGHC (1880–1887).

Official Archive: House of Unauna of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
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📍 ’Ohana Page: No Sales 🌊🪸🐚🤙🏽💜👑

Aloha lā hānau e Mary Kawena Pukui!Today we celebrate the birth of Mary Kawena Pukui (1895–1986), a peerless scholar and...
04/20/2026

Aloha lā hānau e Mary Kawena Pukui!

Today we celebrate the birth of Mary Kawena Pukui (1895–1986), a peerless scholar and the "living repository" of Hawaiian cultural knowledge. Born in Nāʻālehu, Kaʻū, Kawena dedicated her life to being a bridge between generations, ensuring that the "ike (knowledge) of our kūpuna would never be lost.
A prolific author of over 50 books—including the essential Hawaiian Dictionary and ʻŌlelo Noʻeau—she also composed more than 150 songs and chants. Her work at the Bishop Museum and her collaboration with her daughter, Pat Namaka Bacon, preserved the intricate traditions of hula and oral histories that define Hawaiian identity today.
Kawena believed that "Knowledge is life." By documenting the voices and stories of her elders, she left a permanent trail for future generations to follow. As we honor her today, we remember her plea to "take care of our stories" so that our grandchildren may always hear the voices of those who came before.
Ua mau ke ea i ka ʻāina i ka pono.


📸 H[S]A Digital Archives: Pukui, Mary Kawena with her daughter, Pele Puku'i Suganuma (left) and Ka'upena Wong (right)

By Hawaiian Kingdom Law, Article 22 “Native Ali’i” status is anchored in the official laws of the Kingdom and the BGHC L...
04/20/2026

By Hawaiian Kingdom Law, Article 22 “Native Ali’i” status is anchored in the official laws of the Kingdom and the BGHC Legislative Reports (1880-1887) that formally recognized our living Alii of the time & their direct lineal descendants. 💜🤙🏽
📸: Onipaa March, Honolulu

⚖️: Re. KINGDOM SUCCESSION LAWALOHA KĀKOU,The Board of Genealogy of Hawaiian Chiefs (BGHC) FB Page has received inquirie...
04/20/2026

⚖️: Re. KINGDOM SUCCESSION LAW

ALOHA KĀKOU,
The Board of Genealogy of Hawaiian Chiefs (BGHC) FB Page has received inquiries regarding the transition of "Sovereign Rights" and the Fons Honorum following the end of the Kalākaua direct dynastic line in 1917.

To ensure genealogical and legal accuracy, we provide the following corrections to common misconceptions:

1. No "Automatic" Transfer to Collateral Heirs
Under Article 22 of the 1864 Constitution, the Crown is strictly hereditary for direct descendants of the royal line established by the Sovereign. If a line becomes extinct, the law does not allow for "automatic" inheritance by collateral relatives, nephews, nieces, or cousins. In such cases, the throne is legally recognized as VACANT.

2. The Legislative Mandate
According to the same Constitutional mandate (Article 22), when the throne becomes vacant and no successor has been officially proclaimed by the previous Sovereign, the authority to fill that vacancy rests solely with the Legislative Assembly. They are required by law to elect a native Aliʻi by ballot to ensure the continuity of the Kingdom.

3. The 1844 List is a Pool, Not a Sequence
The Eligible children named in the 1844 decree were identified as eligible for the throne. Being on this list—or being a descendant of someone on it—did not grant a "prescriptive right" to rule. It simply qualified those individuals as candidates for an official election or appointment—a process that must follow the constitutional framework.

4. Vetting vs. Private Proclamation
The BGHC maintains that only those genealogies enrolled and vetted by this Board during the functioning Monarchy (1880–1887) carry official standing. Private designations, adoptions, or "nominations" made outside of these vetted lines are family matters; they do not constitute a legal transfer of Kingdom sovereign rights under the rule of law.

Our Mission:
The BGHC exists to safeguard the authentic records of the Kingdom. We remain committed to the rule of law as established by our Aliʻi, which prizes official enrollment and constitutional process over private claims.

E Ola Ka Lāhui!

Historical Note:
Members of the public are encouraged to review the Constitution of 1864 (Article 22) and the Session Laws of 1880 (Act VII). These documents confirm that the authority to recognize royal status and succession resided in the constitutional process—not in private deeds, personal memoirs, or contested wills. 💜🤙🏽
HSA Photos 📸 : HMQ Liliuokalani

“Report of the Board of Genealogy of Hawaiian Chiefs. (Translation). H.E. Chas T. Gulick, Minister of the Interior” (188...
04/20/2026

“Report of the Board of Genealogy of Hawaiian Chiefs. (Translation). H.E. Chas T. Gulick, Minister of the Interior” (1884) *pages 1-8

Full Text:https://hawaiiankingdom.org/pdf/board-of-genealogy-english-1884.pdf

Protecting the Truth of the Kingdom’s RecordsOur mission is to safeguard the authentic moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy) of the H...
04/19/2026

Protecting the Truth of the Kingdom’s Records

Our mission is to safeguard the authentic moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy) of the Hawaiian Kingdom by upholding the official enrolled records of the Board of Genealogy of Hawaiian Chiefs (1880-1887), the only body authorized by King Kalakaua to verify who was a "Native Chief" for legal and constitutional purposes.

“‘A‘ole pau ka ‘ike i ka hālau ho‘okahi.” (‘Ōlelo No’eau)

🏛️ BGHC FB Community Guidelines 1. Focus on MoʻokūʻauhauThis space is for the study of official Hawaiian Kingdom-era gen...
04/19/2026

🏛️ BGHC FB Community Guidelines

1. Focus on Moʻokūʻauhau
This space is for the study of official Hawaiian Kingdom-era genealogy (1880–1887). Please keep all content focused on authentic history and primary-source records.
2. Lead with Aloha
Protect the dignity of our ancestors and our members. No personal attacks, hate speech, or inflammatory language. We are a sanctuary for learning, not a platform for conflict.
3. Respect Privacy
Do not post private information about living individuals or proprietary family traditions without permission.
4. Admin Kuleana
To keep this space safe, Admins may remove off-topic content or misinformation without notice. Repeated violations will result in removal from the group.


(Image of Kahekili II ma, by Brook Kapukuniahi Parker)

Hereditary Role of Aliʻi Aarona Unauna: High Chief Aarona Unauna (1795–1867) was a senior hereditary genealogy teacher (...
04/19/2026

Hereditary Role of Aliʻi Aarona Unauna:

High Chief Aarona Unauna (1795–1867) was a senior hereditary genealogy teacher (kūʻauhau) who served as the Royal Genealogist of the Hawaiian Kingdom during the reigns of Kings Kamehameha III, IV, and V. He was trained under his father Koii and the historian of Kamehameha I, Noa ʻAuwae.

The Board of Genealogy of His Majesty Kamehameha IV: Documents show that the Genealogy Board under Kamehameha IV explicitly included Aarona Unauna and his son, J.K. Unauna, as core members.

Foundational Sources: The BGHC established by King Kalākaua (1880–1887) utilized the personal genealogy books of Aarona Unauna as a primary, foundational source for verifying the Aliʻi lineages.

Legal Finality: The Board was legally commissioned under Act 7 of 1880 and Act 21 of 1882. These acts provided the legal mandate for the 1884 Legislative Report, which remains the definitive record for status under Article 22 of the Constitution.

📸: Hālau Ka’eaikaheleani of Keauhou, Kona led by High Chief Unauna direct descendants. 🤙🏽💜

🌹 PRINCESS RUTH KEELIKOLANI (1826-1883). Helu kuhi: PNMPC-2-20851
04/18/2026

🌹 PRINCESS RUTH KEELIKOLANI (1826-1883).
Helu kuhi: PNMPC-2-20851

04/18/2026

Children of Hālau Kaʻeaikahelelani perform at Lanikai at Kahaluʻu, a Hawaiian cultural experience and lūʻau located at the Kahaluʻu Royal Center in Kailua-Kona.

This specific site, known as “Kahaluʻu Ma Kai”, is a sacred landscape that served as a home for Hawaiian royalty, including King Kalaniʻōpuʻu, King Kamehameha, Gov. Kuakini, & the "Merrie Monarch" King Kalākaua had a cottage built here.

The Experience:
Presented by Hālau Kaʻeaikahelelani—led by the descendants of the House of Unauna—the experience offers a "native lens" on the history and traditions of the land.

Cultural Immersion: Includes an archaeological tour of sacred grounds containing an ancient heiau (temple) and a royal fishpond.

Performances: Features storytelling, ʻoli (chant), and traditional & contemporary hula by the hālau.

Farm-to-Table Feast: Concludes with an "ʻohana-style" lūʻau dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Lanikai at Kahalu'u, Kona

Truth of the Kingdom’s Records 👑Aloha e ka ʻohana,Our work is to safeguard the authentic moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy) of the...
04/18/2026

Truth of the Kingdom’s Records 👑

Aloha e ka ʻohana,
Our work is to safeguard the authentic moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy) of the Hawaiian Kingdom, focused on the 1880–1887 enrolled records authorized by His Majesty King Kalākaua to verify legal, constitutional "Native Chief" status.

Key Points on the BGHC Reports:
Legal Foundation: It links 1840s decrees to mature Kingdom-era standards.
Vetted Pedigree: Only listed vetted families hold recognized hereditary standing under Article 22.
Preserving Lineage: We uphold official records to protect historical accuracy for families.

We prioritize these verified, primary records over unofficial sources to honor the legal framework of our Monarchs.

Mahalo for supporting the preservation of our Aliʻi lineages.

“ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi” 💜🤙🏽

📸 HSA: HM King Kalākaua (1836-1891)(r.1874-1891).

💜Shout out to our newest BGHC followers! We are now at well over 30k!🤙🏽 Zane Cossin, Analu Birge, Melinda Monc...
04/17/2026

💜Shout out to our newest BGHC followers! We are now at well over 30k!🤙🏽

Zane Cossin, Analu Birge, Melinda Monceballez Fischer, Elaine Miller, Kurt Wischniewski, David Hodge, Justin Kunkel-Smith, Colleen Rowe, Jim Kennedy, Shelly Kalua, Gabriella Vallecorsa, Kamaka Aweau, Bill Clark, Sonja Fowler, Pulani Kahokuloa, Misty Lacio, Trina Sims, Elizabeth Persing, MJ Quenga, Kayoko Kitasaki, Angie Hanohano, Shawnta Price, Sandie Hatayama, Dawn Walter, Josie Love, Tehuiamai Searancke-herangi, Yael Gappell, Vivian Craycraft, Michelle Malendres, Gregory Kess, Deborah Coleman, Alfredda Kahananui, Maggie Okomailuk, Say Less, Patty B Lopez, Pilunnguaq Jensen, Michael Ontai, Susan Slocum, Vilimani Soane, Delyan Zhorev, Desareigh Sweet, Michael W. Stout, Caroline Klarr, Denisse Wullschleger, Kris Millhiser Thompson, Nancy Day Moen, Mk Young, Barb Andrews, Keola Pang-Ching, Ed Chiburis

Address

Honolulu, HI

Website

https://www.HouseofUnauna.org/, http://www.RoyalMausoleum.org/

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