Joshua Kaeo
Hawaiian high chief or nobleman of Big Island descent, the uncle of Queen Emma of Hawaii, and an early Hawaiian politician and advisor of Kamehameha III
About Joshua Kaeo
Lived 1808 – 1858 (aged 49–50). Joshua Kaeo was a judge and politician.
Joshua Kaeo (c. 1808 – June 27, 1858), was a Hawaiian high chief or nobleman of Hawaii Island descent, the uncle of Queen Emma of Hawaii, and an early Hawaiian politician and advisor of Kamehameha III.
His father was Asa Kaeo, a grandson or son of Manoua, the daughter of King Kalaniōpuu and one of his wives, Mulehu, from a noble family of the Kaū district; Mulehu was also the grandmother of Abner Pākī (one of Kaeo's own contemporaries) through a second marriage and great-grandmother of Bernice Pauahi Bishop. At one time, he was the Judge of the Supreme Court of Hawaii from 1844 to 1848, succeeding Zorobabela Kaʻauwai who resigned in November, 1846.
He married Jane Lahilahi Young, the hapa-haole (part-Hawaiian) daughter of John Young and his wife Kaʻōanaʻeha, the niece of Kamehameha I. Kaeo and Lahilahi had two sons:
Peter Young Kekuaokalani Kaeo (1836–1880), he was given as a hānai child (adopted) to Jane's brother Keoni Ana and his wife Julia Alapai. Educated at Royal School, he became a member of the House of Nobles but later contracted leprosy and was sent to leper colony at Kalawao. Keliimaikai Kaeo, nicknamed "Alebada" (died October 13, 1851), he was given as a hānai child to Jane's other brother James Kanehoa and his wife Sarah Kale Davis. He was named after Jane's ancestor Keliimaikai, Kamehameha's only full brother.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Joshua Kaeo's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Joshua Kaeo's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Joshua Kaeo?
Hawaiian high chief or nobleman of Big Island descent, the uncle of Queen Emma of Hawaii, and an early Hawaiian politician and advisor of Kamehameha III
When was Joshua Kaeo born?
Joshua Kaeo was born in 1808.
When did Joshua Kaeo die?
Joshua Kaeo died on 27 June 1858 in Honolulu.
What was Joshua Kaeo's occupation?
Joshua Kaeo was a judge and politician.
What nationality was Joshua Kaeo?
Joshua Kaeo's recorded nationality: Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Joshua Kaeo. https://biography.guide/joshua-kaeo/
MLA: "Joshua Kaeo." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/joshua-kaeo/.
Chicago: "Joshua Kaeo." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/joshua-kaeo/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:09 UTC