The Baker Ohana - Custodians of the Sacred Symbols of Monarchy
The Baker Ohana (family) were entrusted as 'Custodians of the Sacred Symbols of Monarchy' as evidenced through the trust bestowed upon them by both the House of Kamehameha and the House of Kalakaua. This was a role reserved for ohana of high ranking.
At the funeral procession of King Kalakaua, H.E. Col. Robert Hoapili Baker, Prince of Kaua'i, Governor of Maui was relegated the honour of carrying the royal crown and sceptre of the King. And his first cousin H.E. John Tamatoa Baker, Governor of Hawai'i carried the Royal Jewels in the funeral processions of both King Kalakaua & Queen Lili'uokalani.
H.E. Col. Robert Hoapili Baker was a close cousin of the House of Kalakaua as both the grandson of Queen Kamakahelei, the Queen regnant of Kaua'i, and also as a cousin of Queen Kapi'olani, Queen consort to King Kalakaua. They both descended from Queen Kamakahelei as did Prince David Kawananakoa. This is why the Kawananakoas and the Bakers are eligible for election by the Ali'i council as Ali'i Moi (King) should that come to fruition.
H.E. Col. Robert Hoapili was also a cousin of King Kalakaua and served as his aide-de-camp. He was with the King when he passed.
The Baker ohana are high ranking Ali'i and continued to marry the members of other high ranking Ali'i ohana throughout the generations. This included the Royal Houses of Moana, Liloa, Luluka, Kaua'i, Maui, Hawai'i, Kohala, Ko'olau to name but a few.
Additionally, the Bakers descend from High Chief Kauaua-a-mahi as did King Kamehameha and subsequent House of Kamehameha. Prince Darrick's forebearer Ali'i Luluka and his sister Queen Keaka Kalopelekai were the Hanai parents of Kamehameha as a young man. He needed protection and the Ohana, Prince Darricks family, enabled that protection to the future King of a unified Hawai'i.
Indeed the House of Kamakahelei, the House of Kamehameha and the House of Kalakaua all descend from High Chiefess Kalanikauleleiaiwi, co-ruler of Hawai'i. She is the Makuahine (mother) of the three Royal Houses and the reason for Prince Darrick's branch of the ohana to take on many important and sacred roles within the new Kingdom.
The Baker ohana through Prince Darrick's great grandfather Ali'i Lot Kamehameha Lane, proclaimed heir to King Kamehameha V, was a descendent of the Ali'i Chiefess Kukeakalani. Chiefess Kukeakalani was the protector of the Unihipili, the spirit of King Kamehameha I, a role handed down to her by her grandfather Ali'i Chief Keaweamahi, the first Kahu of the Unihipilli of Kamehameha.
Thus H.R.H. Prince Darrick is of high Ali'i rank, not only as a direct male descendant of Queen Kamakahelei and the senior representative of the ohana though male primogeniture, but also through his foremothers. In Hawaiian society it is the strength of the ancestors and associated families that establish the ranking within the Ali'i.