'Umi-a-Liloa
Encyclopedia
Umi-a-Liloa ruled as the 14th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii island
from 1510 to 1525.
, 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. Umi's mother Akahiakuleana was of much lower rank and distantly related to Liloa. The story of the birth of Umi is as follows "Liloa, the father of Umi, was at that time the king of all Hawaii and had fixed residence in the Waipio, Hamakua. The incident occurred while Liloa was making a journey through Hamakua toward the borders of Hilo to attend the consecration
of the heiau
of Manini. This heiau, which Liloa had been pushing forward to completion, was situated in the hamlet
of Kohola-lele, Hamakua. When the kapu
had been removed, he waited for a while, till the period of refreshment (hoomahanahana) was over, and then moved on to the north of that place and stayed at Kaawikiwiki, where he gratified his fondness for pahee and other games. While staying at this place he went to bathe in a little stream that runs through Hoea, a land adjoining Kealakaha. It was there and then he came across Akahiakuleana
. She had come to the stream after her period of impurity and was bathing in preparation for the ceremony of purification, after which she would rejoin her husband, that being the custom among women at the time. Her servant was sitting on the bank of the stream guarding her pa-u. When Liloa looked upon her and saw that she was a fine-looking woman, he conceived a passion for her, and taking hold of her, he said, "Lie with me."
Recognizing that it was Liloa, the king, who asked her, she consented, and they lay together. After the completion of the act, Liloa, perceiving that the woman was flowing, asked her if it was her time of impurity, to which she answered, 'Yes, this is the continuation of it.' 'You will probably have a child then,' said Liloa, and she answered that it was probable. Liloa then asked her whose she was and what was her name. 'I am Akahiakuleana,' said she, 'and Kuleanakapiko is the name of my father.' 'You are undoubtedly a relation of mine,' said Liloa. "Quite likely," said she.
Then Liloa instructed her regarding the child, saying, 'When our child is born, if it is a girl do you name it from your side of the family; but if it is a boy, give to him the name Umi.' 'By what token shall I be able to prove that the child is yours, the king's?' Then Liloa gave into her hands his malo (loin-cloth), his niho-palaoa, and his club (laau Palau), saying,'These are the proofs of our child, and when he has grown up give these things to him.' To this arrangement Akahiakuleana gladly assented and handed the things over to her maid to be taken care of for the child.
Liloa then made himself a substitute for a malo by knotting together some ti leaves with which he girded himself. On returning to the house, the people saw that he had a covering of ti leaf, which was not his proper malo, and they remarked to each other, 'What a sight! Liloa is out of his head. That isn't his usual style; it's nothing but a ti leaf makeshift for a malo.' Liloa remained at this place until the period of refreshment (hoomahanahana) was over and then he went back to Waipio, his permanent residence."
after his brother was treating the people cruelly in 1510. He sacrificed Hakau and his attendants. The kingdom became his because of his humbleness and of the prowess of his adopted sons and his care of the war god Kuka'ilimoku. Although of lowly birth, he rose until the kingdom was his through his victories in battle.
, he sought refuge with his sister, Piikea (wife of Umi), at the court of Umi. Here his sister advocated his cause so warmly, and insisted with Umi so urgently, that the latter was induced to espouse the cause of the younger brother against the older, and prepared an expedition to invade Maui, depose Lono-a-Pii, and raise Kiha-a-Piilani to the throne of his father. Umi summoned the chiefs of the various districts of Hawaii to prepare for the invasion of Maui. When all the preparations were ready, Umi headed the expedition in person, accompanied by his wife, Piikea, and her brother, Kiha-a-Piilani, and by his bravest warriors. Crossing the waters of Alenuihāhā Channel between Maui and Hawaii island, the fleet of Umi effected a landing at Kapueokahi, the harbour of Hana, Maui, where Lono-a-Pii apepars to have continued to reside after his father Piilani's death.
Having failed to prevent the landing of Umi's forces, Lono-a-Pii retired to the fortress on the top of the neighbouring hill called Kauwiki, which in those days was considered almost impregnable, partly from its natural strength and partly from the superstitious terror inspired by a gigantic idol called Kawalakii, which was believed to be the titular genius of the fort. Umi laid siege
to the fort of Kauwiki, and, after some delay and several unsuccessful attempts, finally captured the fort, destroyed the idol, and Lono-a-Pii having fallen in the battle, Kiha-a-Piilani was proclaimed and acknowledged as Moi
of Maui. Having accomplished this, Umi and his forces returned to Hawaii.
and parts of Puna
, and though other intimate that Piimaiwaa was despatched to bring the obstinate old chief under subjections, yet it is not clear that any open rupture occurred between Umi and his great feudatory during their lifetime.
It is doubtless true that Umi discontinued the permanent residence of the Hawaii sovereigns at Waipio
. The reasons why are not very explicitly rendered. But though Umi deserted Waipio and established his royal camp or headquarters at the Ahua a Umi
, he did by no means withdraw himself from the active supervision of the affairs of his kingdom. He frequently visited the different districts, settled disputes between chiefs and others, and encouraged industry and works of public utility. It is presumed that Umi's life passed tranquilly after his removal from Waipio. No wars, convulsions, or stirring events have been recorded. In making his tours around the island, Umi erected several more Heiaus. Umi is reported to have been a very religious kind, according to the ideas of his time, for he enriched the priests, and is said tohave built a number of Heiaus; though in the latter case tradition often assigns the first erection of a Heiau to a chief, when in reality he only rebuilt or repaired an ancient one on the same site.
1525, having had issue, three sons and six daughters:
His sons included Keali'iokaloa and Keawe-nui-a-'Umi by his wife Kapukini and Kumalae by his fourth wife Piikea. His daughters were Alii Kapunanahunui through Kulamea, Alii Nohowa through Makaalua, Alii Kapulani Kapukini through Alii Kapukini, Alii Aihakoko Amauaikookoo through Alii Piikea, Alii Akahiilikapu through Mokuahualeiakea, and Alii Kamolanui through Ohenahena.
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
from 1510 to 1525.
Royal Birth
Umi-a-Liloa, commonly known as Umi, was younger son of LiloaLiloa
Liloa ruled as the 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii from 1465 to 1495. He was sovereign king or chief of the island of Hawaii.He was the son of King Kihanuilulumoku, 11th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii and Waoilea. He succeeded on the death of his father in 1465. He was a ruling chief, a sacred high chief who...
, 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. Umi's mother Akahiakuleana was of much lower rank and distantly related to Liloa. The story of the birth of Umi is as follows "Liloa, the father of Umi, was at that time the king of all Hawaii and had fixed residence in the Waipio, Hamakua. The incident occurred while Liloa was making a journey through Hamakua toward the borders of Hilo to attend the consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
of the heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
of Manini. This heiau, which Liloa had been pushing forward to completion, was situated in the hamlet
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
of Kohola-lele, Hamakua. When the kapu
Kapu
Kapu refers to the ancient Hawaiian code of conduct of laws and regulations. The kapu system was universal in lifestyle, gender roles, politics, religion, etc. An offense that was kapu was often a corporal offense, but also often denoted a threat to spiritual power, or theft of mana. Kapus were...
had been removed, he waited for a while, till the period of refreshment (hoomahanahana) was over, and then moved on to the north of that place and stayed at Kaawikiwiki, where he gratified his fondness for pahee and other games. While staying at this place he went to bathe in a little stream that runs through Hoea, a land adjoining Kealakaha. It was there and then he came across Akahiakuleana
Akahiakuleana
Akahiakuleana was a commoner who was the mother King Umi. Sometimes referred to as Akahi'akuli'ana or Ahakiakuleana. Liloa 12th Alii Aimoku lusted after Akahi'akuli'ana, who was a commoner, and she gave birth to Umi-a-Liloa. She was also known as Akahi O Kuleana.Liloa's first wife was Pinea or...
. She had come to the stream after her period of impurity and was bathing in preparation for the ceremony of purification, after which she would rejoin her husband, that being the custom among women at the time. Her servant was sitting on the bank of the stream guarding her pa-u. When Liloa looked upon her and saw that she was a fine-looking woman, he conceived a passion for her, and taking hold of her, he said, "Lie with me."
Recognizing that it was Liloa, the king, who asked her, she consented, and they lay together. After the completion of the act, Liloa, perceiving that the woman was flowing, asked her if it was her time of impurity, to which she answered, 'Yes, this is the continuation of it.' 'You will probably have a child then,' said Liloa, and she answered that it was probable. Liloa then asked her whose she was and what was her name. 'I am Akahiakuleana,' said she, 'and Kuleanakapiko is the name of my father.' 'You are undoubtedly a relation of mine,' said Liloa. "Quite likely," said she.
Then Liloa instructed her regarding the child, saying, 'When our child is born, if it is a girl do you name it from your side of the family; but if it is a boy, give to him the name Umi.' 'By what token shall I be able to prove that the child is yours, the king's?' Then Liloa gave into her hands his malo (loin-cloth), his niho-palaoa, and his club (laau Palau), saying,'These are the proofs of our child, and when he has grown up give these things to him.' To this arrangement Akahiakuleana gladly assented and handed the things over to her maid to be taken care of for the child.
Liloa then made himself a substitute for a malo by knotting together some ti leaves with which he girded himself. On returning to the house, the people saw that he had a covering of ti leaf, which was not his proper malo, and they remarked to each other, 'What a sight! Liloa is out of his head. That isn't his usual style; it's nothing but a ti leaf makeshift for a malo.' Liloa remained at this place until the period of refreshment (hoomahanahana) was over and then he went back to Waipio, his permanent residence."
Early life
The boy grew up with his mother and her husband, a fine, hearty, well-developed lad, foremost in all sports and athletic games of the time, but too idle and lazy in works of husbandry to fit his plodding stepfather. When Umi was nearly a full-grown young man, his stepfather once threatened to strike him as punishment for his continued idleness, when the mother averted the blow and told her husband, 'Do not strike him; he is not your son; he is your chief;' and she then revealed the secret of his birth, and produced from their hiding place the keepsakes which Liloa had left with her. The astonished stepfather stepped back in dismay, and the mother furnished her son with means and instruction for the journey to Waipio.Recognized by Liloa
Two young men accompanied him of the journey, Omaukamau and Piimaiwaa, who became his constant and most trusted attendants ever after. When he arrived in Waipio valley, they crossed the Wailoa stream, and Umi proceeded alone to the royal mansion, not far distant. According to his mother's instructions, though contrary to the rules of etiquette observed by strangers or inferior visitors, instead of entering the courtyard by the gate, he leaped over the stockade, and instead of entering the mansion by the front door, he entered by the back door, and went straight up to where Liloa was relcining and set himself down in Liloa's lap. Surprised at the sudden action, Liloa threw the young man on the ground, and, as he fell, discovered his Malo and his ivory clasp on the body of Umi. Explanations followed, and Liloa publicly acknowledged Umi as his son. Umi's position was now established at the court of Liloa, and, with the exception of his older brother Hakau, whose ill-will and jealousy his recognition by Liloa had kindled, he soon became the favourite of all.Relation with his Brother
When Liloa was near dying, he called the two sons before him, and publicly gave the charge of the government of Hawaii, the position of Moi, to Hakau, and the charge of the war god- that is, the maintenance of the Heiaus and the observance of the religious rites - to Umi, telling the former, 'You are the ruler of Hawaii, and Umi is your man,' equivalent to next in authority. He deposed his elder brother HakauHakau
Hakau-a-Liloa ruled as the 13th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii from 1495 to 1510. He was sovereign king or chief of the island of Hawaii.He was the eldest son of King Liloa, 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. He succeeded on the death of his father in the year 1495.His brother Umi was the son of Liloa and a...
after his brother was treating the people cruelly in 1510. He sacrificed Hakau and his attendants. The kingdom became his because of his humbleness and of the prowess of his adopted sons and his care of the war god Kuka'ilimoku. Although of lowly birth, he rose until the kingdom was his through his victories in battle.
War with Maui
Legend adds, that shortly after the Piilani of Maui died, his son, Lono-a-Pii, succeeded him. When Kiha-a-Piilani, the younger brother of Lono-a-Pii, had to flee from MauiMaui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
, he sought refuge with his sister, Piikea (wife of Umi), at the court of Umi. Here his sister advocated his cause so warmly, and insisted with Umi so urgently, that the latter was induced to espouse the cause of the younger brother against the older, and prepared an expedition to invade Maui, depose Lono-a-Pii, and raise Kiha-a-Piilani to the throne of his father. Umi summoned the chiefs of the various districts of Hawaii to prepare for the invasion of Maui. When all the preparations were ready, Umi headed the expedition in person, accompanied by his wife, Piikea, and her brother, Kiha-a-Piilani, and by his bravest warriors. Crossing the waters of Alenuihāhā Channel between Maui and Hawaii island, the fleet of Umi effected a landing at Kapueokahi, the harbour of Hana, Maui, where Lono-a-Pii apepars to have continued to reside after his father Piilani's death.
Having failed to prevent the landing of Umi's forces, Lono-a-Pii retired to the fortress on the top of the neighbouring hill called Kauwiki, which in those days was considered almost impregnable, partly from its natural strength and partly from the superstitious terror inspired by a gigantic idol called Kawalakii, which was believed to be the titular genius of the fort. Umi laid siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
to the fort of Kauwiki, and, after some delay and several unsuccessful attempts, finally captured the fort, destroyed the idol, and Lono-a-Pii having fallen in the battle, Kiha-a-Piilani was proclaimed and acknowledged as Moi
Moi
- Language :* The French language word for "me" , used idiomatically and informally by English speakers to facetiously indicate mock innocence or humility...
of Maui. Having accomplished this, Umi and his forces returned to Hawaii.
Later years
After Umi returned from the war with Maui, he turned his attention to the domestic affairs of the island. Some legends refer to difficulties between Umi and Imaikalani, the powerful blind chief of KauKau, Hawaii
thumb|right|300px|The districts of the [[Hawaii |Big Island]]. From Northernmost, clockwise; [[Kohala, Hawaii|Kohala]], [[Hamakua]], [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]], [[Puna, Hawaii|Puna]], Kau , [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]]...
and parts of Puna
Puna
Puna may refer to:* Puna grassland, a type of grassland in the central part of the high Andes* Puna , the king of Hiti-marama or of Vavau in the Tuamotu legend of Rata* Puna , a type of wind in the Andes...
, and though other intimate that Piimaiwaa was despatched to bring the obstinate old chief under subjections, yet it is not clear that any open rupture occurred between Umi and his great feudatory during their lifetime.
It is doubtless true that Umi discontinued the permanent residence of the Hawaii sovereigns at Waipio
Waipio valley
Waipio Valley is a valley located in the Hamakua District of the Big Island of Hawaii. "Waipio" means "curved water" in the Hawaiian language.It was the capital and permanent residence of many early Hawaiian alii up until the time of King Umi...
. The reasons why are not very explicitly rendered. But though Umi deserted Waipio and established his royal camp or headquarters at the Ahua a Umi
Ahu A Umi Heiau
Ahu A Umi Heiau means "shrine at the temple of Umi" in the Hawaiian Language.It is also spelled "ahu-a-Umi", or known as Ahua A Umi Heiau, which would mean "mound of Umi"....
, he did by no means withdraw himself from the active supervision of the affairs of his kingdom. He frequently visited the different districts, settled disputes between chiefs and others, and encouraged industry and works of public utility. It is presumed that Umi's life passed tranquilly after his removal from Waipio. No wars, convulsions, or stirring events have been recorded. In making his tours around the island, Umi erected several more Heiaus. Umi is reported to have been a very religious kind, according to the ideas of his time, for he enriched the priests, and is said tohave built a number of Heiaus; though in the latter case tradition often assigns the first erection of a Heiau to a chief, when in reality he only rebuilt or repaired an ancient one on the same site.
Family
He married first Kulamea. Then second Maka'alua and third his half-sister, Alii Kapukini, daughter of Liloa, 12th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, by his third wife, Haua. Fourth Alii Piikea, daughter of Piilani, 15th Moi of Maui. Fifth he married Mokuahualeiakea. He married a sixth time Ohenahena and a seventh time Alii Pinea, daughter of his elder half-brother, Hakau, 13th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. He died circaCirca
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1525, having had issue, three sons and six daughters:
His sons included Keali'iokaloa and Keawe-nui-a-'Umi by his wife Kapukini and Kumalae by his fourth wife Piikea. His daughters were Alii Kapunanahunui through Kulamea, Alii Nohowa through Makaalua, Alii Kapulani Kapukini through Alii Kapukini, Alii Aihakoko Amauaikookoo through Alii Piikea, Alii Akahiilikapu through Mokuahualeiakea, and Alii Kamolanui through Ohenahena.