Jane Loeau

Jane Loeau Jasper (December 5, 1828 -1873) was a Hawaiian chiefess who attended Chiefs' Children's School also known as Royal School. She is not to be confused with Jane Lahilahi, another Hawaiian chiefess who was the mother Peter Kaeo. She was known for her good looks and lively ways. [NEWS FROM MOLOKAI: Letters between Peter Kaeo & Queen Emma 1873-1876, Edited with Introduction and Notes by Alfons L. Korn, The University Press of Hawaii ~ Honolulu, Copyright 1976 by The University Press of Hawaii]

Early Life

She was born December 1828, the daughter of High Chief Kalaniulumoku and High Chiefess Kuini Liliha. Her mother was the royal governor of O'ahu and was politically powerful during the regency of Kaahumanu. She was descended from Kahekili II, Moi of Maui, and High Chief Hoapili through her mother. She had a half-sister Abigail Maheha who also attended Royal School. She was adopted or "hanaied" by Ahukai (Kaukualii). [Dibble, Sheldon . A History of the Sandwich Islands . Honolulu: T. H., THOS. G. Thrum, 1909. Page 292]

She the one of the first to attend Chiefs' Children's School. She was chosen by Kamehameha III as one who would be eligible to sit on the throne of Hawaii. She was taught by Amos Starr Cooke and his wife, Julliete Montague Cooke, to eat, dress and speak like normal European or American children. At the age of eleven, she was the oldest girl at the school. On Sunday it was customary for boys and girls to walk side by side to church, Jane walk beside Moses Kekuaiwa, the eldest boy at the school and brother of Alexander Liholiho and Lot Kapuaiwa. In her school days, she was a closed and intimate friend of Bernice Pauahi, [Krout, Mary Hannah . The Memoirs of Hon. Bernice Pauahi Bishop . The Knickerbocker Press, 1908.] who was the only girl at the school around her age. She and Bernice played prettily on the piano-forte. She and Bernice taught the younger girls how to sing and play the pianoforte and among them was the young Lydia Kamakaeha who would be Hawaii's last queen and a great composer.

Marriage

When she turned eighteen she married and left school. On September 2, 1847 she married John Robert Jasper, a young American attorney from Virginia. Their wedding party was held at Chiefs' Children School and was quite a party. Seventy five were present including the King, Kamehameha III, the Queen Kalama, chiefs, chiefesses, the privy council, ministers of state, consul, missionaries and other foreigners. [The Memoirs of Hon. Bernice Pauahi Bishop By Mary Hannah Krou] Her marriage to John Jasper was not a happy one. Her husband was an alcoholic and they eventually divorced. [Patterson, Rosemary I. , Ph.D. Kula Keiki Ali'i . Booksurge Llc, 2006. ISBN 1419648756] She later moved to Lahaina and remain inactive and stood out of any royal affairs.

References