John William Elliott Maikai

Major John William Elliott Maikai ( – May 27, 1860) was a lawyer, politician, and military officer of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He served as an aide to King Kamehameha III and was the Akukana Kenela or Adjutant General of the Hawaiian Army during the reigns of King Kamehameha III and Kamehameha IV.

Life and career He was the son of a man named Ehu, a recipient of the Great Māhele who owned land in the Mānoa Valley. Maikai became part of the early generations of Hawaiian youths educated at the Lahainaluna Seminary on the island of Maui by the American Protestant missionary Lorrin Andrews. He graduated in 1845 with high honors. His contemporaries noted, "Maikai was one of the most eloquent and able members of the House of Representatives, and his liberal policy and tact in debate gave him an influence to which few of his compeers attained." He was placed in charge of all military accounts for the kingdom and held this post until his death.

On October 3, 1859, he was appointed as a member of the Privy Council of State, the advisory council to King Kamehameha IV. He was also appointed a life member of the House of Nobles but only participated in the extraordinary session in 1859 in which Prince Albert Edward Kamehameha was conferred as heir-apparent to the throne. He did not get a chance to sit in the legislative session of 1860.

Maikai died at his home in Honolulu, on May 27, 1860, at thirty-two. On June 28, 1861, John Owen Dominis was appointed as his successor to the position of Adjutant General.

Marriage and descendants His wife was the High Chiefess Abigail Kapoʻoloku (or Kepoʻoloku) Maikai, who survived him and lived into the reign of King Kalākaua.

Their son Samuel Ikuwa Ulumaheihei Maikai would later serve as a lieutenant in the Royal Household Guard, a sub-lieutenant of the Royal Hawaiian Navy on HHMS Kaimiloa, and a military aide during the reign of King Kalākaua. By his first marriage to Annie Palekaluhi Kaikioʻewa (1855–1906), sister of Edward Kamakau Lilikalani, he had a daughter named Helina Kaiwaokalani. By his second marriage to Wahineopio, Samuel had three children: David Unualoha Maikai (1886–1933), Samuela Kahilolaamea Maikai (1886–1916), and Abigaila Kalanikuikepooloku Maikai.