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Mela (Miller)

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Mela (Miller) was the name Native Hawaiians called Alexander (Alika) Miller Sr., the foreign mason of Kamehameha I and chief builder of the Brick Palace who was on Oahu before the Battle of Nuʻuanu in 1795.

Brick Palace

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Artist's conception of the Brick Palace from the Lahaina Restoration Foundation

Before the Battle of Nuuanu a number of foreigners were living on Oahu under the rule of Kalanikūpule. Among these settlers were Oliver Holmes, Shomisona, Mr. Lele, Mr. Mela [Miller] and Mr. Keakaʻeleʻele [Black Jack]. After Kamehameha I conquered Oahu they all pledged oaths to the new alii.[1] A letter from William Richards to Reverend Levi Chamberlain dated September 18, 1830, describes "Miller" as a Mason living in Lahaina. Richard also notes that "Miller" likes rum.[2]

Mela, along with Mr. Keka'ele'ele (Black Jack), possibly the first African American in Hawaii, built the Brick Palace for Kamehameha I's favorite wife, Kaʻahumanu.[1][3] The palace was the first western-style structure built in the Hawaiian Islands, serving as the first Royal Palace.[4] Located at Lahaina, Maui, the site became the seat of government and capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii until 1845.[5] William Richards would later receive the land the Brick Palace was built on.[2]

John Papa ʻĪʻī

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Mela was the kahu (royal attendant) of John Papa ʻĪʻī, who writes of the occasion when, as a young boy who didn't wish to walk on a long journey, his attendants, either Mela or Kiwalao, scared him into walking by pointing to foreigners and telling the young boy; "Here come the haoles, who do not like children who cry too much".[6]

Family, descendants and legacy

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Mela's English name was Alexander (Alika) Miller Sr.[7] Alexander wed or cohabitated with Kānekapōlei and had two children, a girl named Kahinu (w) and a son named Alika (Alexander) Mela (Miller) Jr.[2] While Mela was originally gifted with several lots of land from Kamehameha I, his son Alika had to relinquish all but one, Opaeula ahupuaa in Lahaina, Maui.[7]

Alika married Kanuha Kaialiilii, sister of Captain J.H. Mahiai, in 1855. Kanuha and Mahiai were two of 9 children of Kaialiilii and Poimoa.[2] Alika and Kanuha had eight children;[2]

Sarah Miller is said to have married or cohabitated with a Mr. Harvey Raymond but there was no issue from the union. Sarah did have 4 children with Charles Makee,[2] including a son named Charles Miller.[8] John Mahiʻai was hanai adopted by James Kāneakua.[9][10] He married twice. His first marriage produced no issue however, his second marriage to Lucy Kaʻumealani Cummings produced ten children.[10]

Family tree

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b Kamakau 1992, p. 174.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Barrère 1994, p. 458.
  3. ^ Jackson 2004, p. 11.
  4. ^ Benson & Balfour 2013, p. 732.
  5. ^ Ring, Watson & Schellinger 2013, p. 315.
  6. ^ Ii 1983, p. 20.
  7. ^ a b Barrère 1994, p. 457.
  8. ^ Chinese Historical Society of America 1988, p. 175.
  9. ^ Staff writer 1900, p. 3.
  10. ^ a b Walk, Kaʻanoʻi (September 2013). "Kāneakua, John Mahiʻai". Ka‘iwakīloumoku Virtual Archive. Kamehameha Schools. Retrieved 15 January 2014.

References

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