ISLAND HISTORY: Queen Liliuokalani’s three hanai children

Queen Liliuokalani (1838-1917) and her husband, John Owen Dominis (1832-91), had no biological children.

However, Liliuokalani adopted three children under the tradition of hanai practiced in Hawaiian culture: Lydia Kaonohiponiponiokalani Aholo (1878-1979) in 1878, Joseph Kaiponohea Aea (1882-1914) in 1882, and John Aimoku Dominis (1883-1917) in 1910.

Born in Lahaina, Lydia Aholo’s parents were Keahi Aholo, who died shortly after giving her birth, and Luther Aholo, a secretary at that time to Liliuokalani’s husband, John Owen Dominis.

Liliuokalani’s adoption of Lydia Aloho was made with the approval of Luther Aholo, despite the disapproval of her husband and her brother, King David Kalakaua.

Lydia Kaonohiponiponiokalani Aholo was raised in the royal household at Washington Place, along with her hanai brothers Joseph Kaiponohea Aea and John Aimoku Dominis.

In 1897, Lydia Aholo graduated from Kamehameha School for Girls, attended Oberlin College, and taught Hawaiian language at Kamehameha Schools for many years.

She never married and had no children.

Joseph Kaiponohea Aea was Liliuokalani’s favorite hanai child.

His biological parents were Joseph Kapeau Aea and Kaheo Aea, retainers of Liliuokalani.

Both of Joseph Kaiponohea Aea’s parents, aware that Liliuokalani loved Joseph, extorted favors and debt forgiveness from her by threatening her with taking their natural son away from her if she did not comply.

Joseph was educated at Fort Street School, Iolani School and Kamehameha School for Boys, and was employed in the Honolulu clerk’s office.

In 1909, Liliuokalani willed him Kealohilani, her residence at Waikiki, and the fishing grounds of Hamohamo, also at Waikiki.

He never married or had children.

John Owen Aimoku Dominis, Liliuokalani’s third hanai child, was the illegitimate son of her husband and Mary Purdy Lamiki Aimoku (1855-1921).

He attended the Iolani School, served as a trustee of Queen Liliuokalani’s Trust, in which he was named a beneficiary, served as circuit court clerk, and worked in the office of the Bishop Trust Company.

He and his wife, Sybil Frances Kahulumanu McInerny (1891-1994), had three children: John Owen Dominis (1912–33), Sybil Frances Kaolaokalani O Liliuokalani Dominis (1914–98), and Virginia Beatrice Kauhanenuiohonokawailani Dominis Koch (1916–2007).