Prince Keōua Kuahu'ula

Keoua Kuahu'ula (Keoua) was a High Chief of Ka'u. He was the son of Kalaniopu'u King of Hawai'i (Big Island). His identical twin brother was Keoua Pe'eale.

Keoua was the last ruling High Chief of Moku o Keawe to oppose Kamehameha the great. He maintained rule over Ka'u, Puna, Hilo, and part of Hamakua. His 1st cousin Kamehameha ruled the other half of the island. The civil war continued for years without victory for any one side. In time Kamehameha invited Keoua to Kawaihae for peace talks. However, it was during this visit that Kamehameha revealed his plot and had Keoua killed and sacrificed at the newly built Heiau called Pu'u Kohola. This single death united the entire island of Hawaii under the rule of Kamehameha the great.

Some believe that Keoua fully understood the risk of making this journey to meet with Kamehamea. However, it was in Keoua's heart to end this civil war even if it meant his own destruction. Others say he was deified as a result of his sacrifice. Legend tells of his severing of his own 'ule to make himself an incomplete sacrifice for the gods, minimizing the mana that Kamehameha could receive from his death. In some Ka'u family records he is referred to as Keoua Kuehu'ule, this name signifying his blemish. Later Kamehameha, placed a kapu on Keoua's name. Some descendants have since referred to this chief by other names. One family in Ka'u have speculated that a High Chief Kuehu of Ka'u may be the same as Keoua as they lived during the same time period.