In 1961 the first edition of the English translation of Samuel Kamakau's Ruling Chiefs of Hawaii was published by Kamehameha Schools Press. Many contributed to make its publication possible. A group of Hawaiian scholars was first selected by the trustees of Bishop Museum to translate Kamakau's florid literary style into readable English. The group included Mary Kawena Pukui, Thomas G. Thrum, Lahilahi Webb, Emma Davidson Taylor, and John Wise. Mary Kawena Pukui then revie...
Many famous chiefs, mentioned in Hawaiian history, were descended from Hana-laa-nui. The ruling chiefs (noho alii) of Hawaii were of that particular lineage (mookuauhau), and with additions from those of the other islands, the genealogy of Hawaii's chiefs and their ancestors was made complete. Umi-a-Liloa [that is, Umi-son-of-Liloa] was a famous chief, and the reason for his fame was that it was he who united all of the districts of Hawaii through wars. The kingdom beca...