She was the youngest daughter of High Chief Pauli Kaoleioku, by his second wife, High Chiefess Kahailiopua Luahine.1 Her father was Pauli Ka'oleioku. born 1767, Kamehameha's illegitimate son by his aunt, Kanekapolei. He was recognised by his father and his son and two daughter were declared Royal Princes and Princesses by their grandfather, including Kōnia and her half-sister Kalanipauahi.
She married to High Chief Abner Kuho'oheiheipahu Paki at Honolulu, Oʻahu. Their marriage was one the first Western and Christian ceremony in the Hawaiian Islands. They married at Kawaiahao Church, the recently built church, in December 5, 1828. Everyone of the king's high chiefs were there, including pillars of the newly rooted Protestant Church, Queen Kaahumanu and Ulumaheihei Hoapili. Konia's childhood playmates, including, Harriet Nahienaena, the sister of the king and Konia's aunt; Elizabeth Kinau, the widow of Kamehameha II and Konia's aunt; Kuini Liliha, his husband's ex-wife; and other members of the court. Among these, Kuakini, the Governor of the Big Island; and Kekauonohi, another widow of Kamehameha II; sat on chairs in the front rows. Even Boki risked being seen in a Protestant church. First, a group of eight men and women sang hymns of Zion. Paki, with his witness, John Papa I'i, stood at the altar, which was adorned by two large brass candlesticks and three red kahili; Konia, dressed in a white satin and embroidered silk gown and wearing a lei po'o of pale yellow feathers, came down the center isle followed by her witnesses, the High Chiefess Kapiolani and Kale Davis. Reverend Hiram Bingham conducted the ceremony and Lauar and Paki repeated their vows of devotion. Following the holy matrimony was a simple reception. 2
Konia and Paki lived at Lahaina when that was the capital, and the King and the Premier, Auhea, had their residence there.3 At this time Lahaina was the capital and the favorite residence of King Kamehameha III. It was an important port, being thronged during the season by vessels engaged in the whaling trade, the families of the officers often accompanying them and spending the winter in this pleasant place. The King finally realized that it was necessary to transfer the seat of government to Honolulu and did so, Paki and Konia accompanying him. The change was made by the King very reluctantly, for, he much preferred the retirement and leisure which he could command at Lahaina. 4 By 1840, Kamehameha III and the Hawaiian chiefs had written a Hawaiian Constitution and established a legislature with a House of Nobles. She and her husband were among the chiefs that the King elevated to the position of Noble and were members of the House of Nobles from 1840 to 1847.5 Their duties was to vote on Laws, work on Kingdom economy, and be advisors to the king. Her husband also served as Chamberlain to the King, Judge of the Supreme Court, and Governor of Hawaii.
On December 19th, 1831 in Honolulu, Oʻahu, she and Paki had a daughter, who they named Bernice Pauahi Paki after her sister, Kalanipauahi, who was saved as a infant from a fire. Their daughter was born into a family with royal blood, which made her a princess.6 She hanaied (adopted) her daughter to the Kuhina-nui, Elizabeth Kinau.
She betrothed her daughter and to Kinau's son Lot in the Hawaiian practice of ho'opalau. Bernice had no affection for Lot. She later fell in love with Charles Reed Bishop and were married in 1850, when the princess was 18 years old. She and her husband Paki violently opposed this union. The wedding had to be held by the Cookes at Chiefs' Children's School. She and Paki, did not attend the wedding, hoping instead, that the princess would change her mind and marry Lot Kapuaiwa. She and her husband later accepted their new son-in-law and are reconciled with Bernice on the advice of Princess Victoria Kamāmalu on August 2, 1851.
In an account of the parens of Mrs. Bishop, Mr. Gilman says of Kōnia:
" She was one of nature's true noblewomen, such as were to be found in that then unenlightended country. She possessed the elements of a strong character and was a recognized force, not only in administration of her own affairs, but when the King, Kamehameha III., formed his first body of high chiefs into a council of the government, she, with a few other of like birth, were selected as his advisers. She was naturally of gentle manners, and physically was rather short of stature, though inclined to stoutness. The daughter, Bernice, inherited her mother's grace of manner, and those qualities whereby all recognized her inheritance of birth and blood. Paki was a fitting companion for Kōnia."7
Her daughter Lydia
She was a well know poet and singer in the ancient Hawaiian traditional way. In accordance with Hawaiian tradition, she adopted Lydia Kamakaeha, the daughter of Kaisera Kapaʻakea and Ane Keohokālole and Hawaiʻi's soon to be last monarch. She was the main influence of her daughter success as a musician during her early years. Before Liliu's schooling at Chiefs' Children's School, Konia had Liliu brought to her daily to fondle and love.
Her foster daughter was much closer to her than her natural daughter. Liliʻuokalani said "I knew no other father or mother than my foster-parents, no other sister than Bernice." It is even mention in Liliʻuokalani memoirs of her foster mother's death. She died during the influenza epidemic of Hawaii in July 2, 1857. The death of Paki and Kōnia placed her foster daughter under the charge of Bishop and Bernice.
