His failure to accomplish this through his niece Kaohelelani was a sting to the old warrior's pride, and now he chose a new agent by inviting Laʻanui to his court.

At last, the proposition was put to Laʻanui, that it was the united wish of the king and queen that the marriage should take place.

Yet realizing that it might be perilous to defy the powerful monarch, Laʻanui quietly consented "to take the bitter pill.

The couple lived at Waialua, one of the divisions of land that Piia had received from her father Keeaumoku Papaiahiahi's large estate.

Therefore, in return for great kindness I leave this dear Waialua to you, as well as all the other lands, which I own, for my token of love for you.

She was one of the twin daughters of Jean Baptiste Rives, the French secretary of Kamehameha II, whose Hawaiian name was Luahine ("Old Woman").

Owana's mother was Chiefess Holau II, descendant of Kaihikapumahana, the only daughter of Lonoikamakahiki Kapuokalani and his wife Kaikilanialliwahine o Puna and sister of Keawehanauikawalu, ancestor of Kekūanaōʻa, father of the last line of the Kamehamehas.

His wife and her sister Virginia Kahoa were hānai (adopted) daughters of the Queen Kaʻahumanu and were spoken by Mrs. Gerrit P. Judd as becomingly pretty.

His two children still had some living members of their mother's family: Owana's twin sister and two brothers, who took them to their home.

Before this could be arranged notice had to be given to the king and chiefs that, owing to failing health, Amos Starr Cooke with his family was going to close the Royal School.

How they had been wronged remained a mystery until several years afterward, when a very confidential retainer of Laʻanui's took sick and fearing that death might overtake him at any moment, dispatched a boy to Elizabeth urging her to come to his bedside, as he wished to see her once more before the end came.

After they had partaken of some food the household was summoned to evening prayers as usual, by the sick man's couch, and after delivering the blessing of God, he turned and addressed his guest thus: "My dear you Aliʻi, I have been a traitor to you and your cause.

Eventually the Laʻanui Estate at Waialua, Oahu was lost and torn down to build the Haleiwa Hotel.