Kapiliele Faupala
Encyclopedia
Kapeliele "Gabriel" Faupala (born in 1940 http://tronosdeoro.blogspot.com/2008/11/la-coronacin-del-rey-de-la-isla-de.html) is the 51st Lavelua (King) of Wallis Island
(Uvea
), one of the three traditional kingdoms which comprises the French overseas territory
of Wallis and Futuna
. Faupala was officially crowned Lavelua on July 25, 2008, succeeding Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
, who died in May 2007.
, to become the holder of the "Kalae Kivalu" Title (Prime Minister). He is from the village of Ahoa
, which is located in the center of Wallis Island
. Faupala is a retired public servant, who worked for the French
administration of Wallis and Futuna as well as the local Wallisian public works
department until his retirement
in 1995.
As Kalae Kivalu, Faupala was head of the Customary Council of Ministers for four years from approximately 2004 until his coronation
in 2008. The Customary Council of Ministers enjoys a certain level of official recognition from the government of France under the 1961 treaty signed by Tomasi Kulimoetoke II which made Wallis and Futuna a French overseas territory (Territoire d'Outre-Mer
).
, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
, died in May 2007. Kulimoetoke had served as the King for 48 years since his coronation in 1959. A six month period of mourning
was held after Kulimoetoke's death, when it was considered taboo
by Wallisians to discuss a possible successor to the throne. Kulimoetoke had a sometimes strained relationship with French authorities during the final years of his reign.
The period of mourning officially ended on November 2007, at which time discussions for a possible successor formally began. A Council of Ministers had taken up the role of royal duties after Kuliemoetoke's death and was charged with finding his successor. Two main feuding royal families of Wallis had been engaged in a behind the scenes fight for the previous three years to secure the throne of Uvea. Their struggle to succeed Kulimoetoke had begun before the previous King's death in 2007. The royal Wallisian families, or clans, were from the North (Hihifo) and South (Mu'a) of Wallis Island. Each offered their own candidate to succeed Kuliemeotoke. Each royal clan also claimed to be the rightful next-in-line to the throne, which led to an impasse in negotiations for months.
Ultimately, after months of deliberations, the traditional Council of Ministers chose Kapiliele Faupala to become the new King of Wallis (Uvea) in an announcement held in mid July 2008. Kuliemeotoke had originally chosen Faupala as his hand-picked successor before his death in May 2007. The candidates from the other feuding chiefly clans and royal families on Wallis were rejected by the Council. The announcement of Faupala as the new King sparked protests by the other royal families and clans across Wallis. Critics charged that the Council of Ministers should have more actively worked toward reconciling the different arguing clans on Wallis before announcing a final choice for King of Uvea. The North and South royal families also claimed that they should have been actively consulted by the Council in choosing the new monarch for the island.
The Kulitea of the minority called "Rénovateurs", Po'oi Fotofili, called for calm and denounced calls for violence saying, "We have decided not to move for the time being. We will let this crowning take its own course. We are calling on our people to remain calm in order to maintain peace on the territory. But this doesn't mean that we will just sit back and watch." He hinted at future action by the disgruntled royal clans following the coronation, including the possibility of appointing additional, new rival Kings on Wallis Island who are not endorsed by the Council of Ministers. As Fotofili said to the three main royal family clans on Wallis - Mu'a
, Hahake and Hihifo
- "Should we have one King for each district, or just one King for all three districts? Should the current situation be reviewed? All this will be put on the table and discussed with all the great families."
, the capital of Wallis and Futuna, on the main grounds of Malae Sagato Soane and gathered more than 3,000 persons, where Faupala's predecessor, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
, is buried. The coronation ended several days of formal traditional Wallisian celebrations, which included a kava ceremony and the presentation of gifts to the new King. . Faupala was 68 years old at the time of his coronation.
Several of Wallis's chiefly royal families
, only in the North (Hihifo), chose not to attend Faupala's coronation due to the ongoing dispute over the royal succession.
The coronation took place in the presence of the French Secretary General to the Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna, since the current Administrator Superior, Richard Didier
, was traveling outside of Wallis and Futuna a the time. A large delegation from New Caledonia
, which is also a French overseas possession, also attended the coronation. There are currently over 23,000 citizens of Wallis and Futuna residing in New Caledonia, which makes them an important community. New Caledonian dignitaries included Marie-Claude Tjibaou, the current Chair of Agency for the Development of Kanak Culture
. A number of pro-French New Caledonian political parties
were also represented including the president of Future Together
, Didier Leroux. Other New Caledonian political and traditional figures, such as the Chairman of South Province
Philippe Gomès
and the High Chief of Lifou Island
, Evanes Boula
, also attended Faupala's coronation on invitation.
The New Caledonian delegation was careful not to become involved with the internal Wallisian royal succession dispute. Didier Leroux said in an interview with the local Réseau France Outre-mer
television station
that, "We were invited to attend the ceremonies. But I'd like to point out that we come as external observers and I would not like to take sides in the current quarrel between one side or the other."
Wallis Island
Wallis is an island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to the French overseas collectivity of Wallis and Futuna....
(Uvea
Wallis Island
Wallis is an island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to the French overseas collectivity of Wallis and Futuna....
), one of the three traditional kingdoms which comprises the French overseas territory
Overseas departments and territories of France
The French Overseas Departments and Territories consist broadly of French-administered territories outside of the European continent. These territories have varying legal status and different levels of autonomy, although all have representation in the Parliament of France , and consequently the...
of Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands , is a Polynesian French island territory in the South Pacific between Tuvalu to the northwest, Rotuma of Fiji to the west, the main part of Fiji to the southwest, Tonga to the southeast,...
. Faupala was officially crowned Lavelua on July 25, 2008, succeeding Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II was the 50th Lavelua of Wallis Island, which is known as Uvea in the Wallisian language, one of the three traditional kingdoms in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna....
, who died in May 2007.
Biography
Faupala is locally known as Kalae Kivalu before his coronation, by Wallisians. He was chosen by the late King of 'Uvea Tomasi Kulimoetoke IITomasi Kulimoetoke II
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II was the 50th Lavelua of Wallis Island, which is known as Uvea in the Wallisian language, one of the three traditional kingdoms in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna....
, to become the holder of the "Kalae Kivalu" Title (Prime Minister). He is from the village of Ahoa
Ahoa
Ahoa is a village in Wallis and Futuna. It is located in Hahake District on the west coast of Wallis Island. Its population according to the 2008 census was 437 people....
, which is located in the center of Wallis Island
Wallis Island
Wallis is an island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to the French overseas collectivity of Wallis and Futuna....
. Faupala is a retired public servant, who worked for the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
administration of Wallis and Futuna as well as the local Wallisian public works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
department until his retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
in 1995.
As Kalae Kivalu, Faupala was head of the Customary Council of Ministers for four years from approximately 2004 until his coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
in 2008. The Customary Council of Ministers enjoys a certain level of official recognition from the government of France under the 1961 treaty signed by Tomasi Kulimoetoke II which made Wallis and Futuna a French overseas territory (Territoire d'Outre-Mer
Territoire d'outre-mer
The term overseas territory , is an administrative division of France and is currently only applied to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands....
).
Lavelua
Faupala's predecessor as Lavelua of WallisWallis Island
Wallis is an island in the Pacific Ocean belonging to the French overseas collectivity of Wallis and Futuna....
, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II was the 50th Lavelua of Wallis Island, which is known as Uvea in the Wallisian language, one of the three traditional kingdoms in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna....
, died in May 2007. Kulimoetoke had served as the King for 48 years since his coronation in 1959. A six month period of mourning
Mourning
Mourning is, in the simplest sense, synonymous with grief over the death of someone. The word is also used to describe a cultural complex of behaviours in which the bereaved participate or are expected to participate...
was held after Kulimoetoke's death, when it was considered taboo
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
by Wallisians to discuss a possible successor to the throne. Kulimoetoke had a sometimes strained relationship with French authorities during the final years of his reign.
The period of mourning officially ended on November 2007, at which time discussions for a possible successor formally began. A Council of Ministers had taken up the role of royal duties after Kuliemoetoke's death and was charged with finding his successor. Two main feuding royal families of Wallis had been engaged in a behind the scenes fight for the previous three years to secure the throne of Uvea. Their struggle to succeed Kulimoetoke had begun before the previous King's death in 2007. The royal Wallisian families, or clans, were from the North (Hihifo) and South (Mu'a) of Wallis Island. Each offered their own candidate to succeed Kuliemeotoke. Each royal clan also claimed to be the rightful next-in-line to the throne, which led to an impasse in negotiations for months.
Ultimately, after months of deliberations, the traditional Council of Ministers chose Kapiliele Faupala to become the new King of Wallis (Uvea) in an announcement held in mid July 2008. Kuliemeotoke had originally chosen Faupala as his hand-picked successor before his death in May 2007. The candidates from the other feuding chiefly clans and royal families on Wallis were rejected by the Council. The announcement of Faupala as the new King sparked protests by the other royal families and clans across Wallis. Critics charged that the Council of Ministers should have more actively worked toward reconciling the different arguing clans on Wallis before announcing a final choice for King of Uvea. The North and South royal families also claimed that they should have been actively consulted by the Council in choosing the new monarch for the island.
The Kulitea of the minority called "Rénovateurs", Po'oi Fotofili, called for calm and denounced calls for violence saying, "We have decided not to move for the time being. We will let this crowning take its own course. We are calling on our people to remain calm in order to maintain peace on the territory. But this doesn't mean that we will just sit back and watch." He hinted at future action by the disgruntled royal clans following the coronation, including the possibility of appointing additional, new rival Kings on Wallis Island who are not endorsed by the Council of Ministers. As Fotofili said to the three main royal family clans on Wallis - Mu'a
Mu'a
Mua means first in many Polynesian languages and serves as name of several places.*Mu'a , the ancient capital of Tonga*Mu'a , a village on Niuafoou, Tonga...
, Hahake and Hihifo
Hihifo
Hihifo is the main village on the island of Niuatoputapu in Tonga.Hihifo is situated on the west side of Niuatoputapu and is the main centre for public and government facilities for the island residents, with a post office and police station.The other two villages on Niuatoputapu are Falehau and...
- "Should we have one King for each district, or just one King for all three districts? Should the current situation be reviewed? All this will be put on the table and discussed with all the great families."
Coronation
Kapiliele Faupala was formally crowned the 51st Lavelua of Wallis on July 25, 2008. He chose to retain the title and name of Lavelua. His coronation took place in Mata-UtuMata-Utu
Mata-Utu is the capital of the Wallis and Futuna Territory. It is located on the island of Wallis , in the district of Hahake, of which it is also the capital. Its population is 1,191 ....
, the capital of Wallis and Futuna, on the main grounds of Malae Sagato Soane and gathered more than 3,000 persons, where Faupala's predecessor, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II was the 50th Lavelua of Wallis Island, which is known as Uvea in the Wallisian language, one of the three traditional kingdoms in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna....
, is buried. The coronation ended several days of formal traditional Wallisian celebrations, which included a kava ceremony and the presentation of gifts to the new King. . Faupala was 68 years old at the time of his coronation.
Several of Wallis's chiefly royal families
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
, only in the North (Hihifo), chose not to attend Faupala's coronation due to the ongoing dispute over the royal succession.
The coronation took place in the presence of the French Secretary General to the Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna, since the current Administrator Superior, Richard Didier
Richard Didier
Richard Didier is a French civil servant and administrator. Didier served as the Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna for two years August 14, 2006 and August 2008....
, was traveling outside of Wallis and Futuna a the time. A large delegation from New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
, which is also a French overseas possession, also attended the coronation. There are currently over 23,000 citizens of Wallis and Futuna residing in New Caledonia, which makes them an important community. New Caledonian dignitaries included Marie-Claude Tjibaou, the current Chair of Agency for the Development of Kanak Culture
Agency for the Development of Kanak Culture
The Agency for the Development of Kanak Culture is an administrative agency, established in 1989, to preserve and promote Kanak and Pacific Islands culture, art and heritage. It was formed on the first anniversary of the signature Matignon-Oudinot Ageement's to recognise and promote the values of...
. A number of pro-French New Caledonian political parties
Political Parties in New Caledonia
This article lists political parties in New Caledonia.New Caledonia has a number of strong, well-developed political parties because of the use of proportional representation in the island's Congress....
were also represented including the president of Future Together
Future Together
The Future Together is a center-right political party in New Caledonia supporting the maintenance of political and administrative ties with France....
, Didier Leroux. Other New Caledonian political and traditional figures, such as the Chairman of South Province
South Province, New Caledonia
The South Province is one of three administrative subdivisions in New Caledonia. It corresponds to the southern and southwestern portion of the New Caledonian mainland. It is by far the most economically developed and most urbanized part of the archipelago and indeed in the entire Melanesian region...
Philippe Gomès
Philippe Gomès
Philippe Gomès is a New Caledonian politician and, from 5 June 2009 to 11 March 2011, President of the Government of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean....
and the High Chief of Lifou Island
Lifou Island
Lifou Island is the largest and most important island of the Loyalty Islands, in the archipelago of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is located at .-Administration:...
, Evanes Boula
Evanès Boula
Evanès Boula is the current chief of Lössi and high chief of Lifou in the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia. His is one of three Kanak chieftaincies on the island of Lifou, the others being Gaïtcha and Wetr, and was established by the Boula dynasty prior to the arrivial of French colonists...
, also attended Faupala's coronation on invitation.
The New Caledonian delegation was careful not to become involved with the internal Wallisian royal succession dispute. Didier Leroux said in an interview with the local Réseau France Outre-mer
Réseau France Outre-mer
Réseau Outre-Mer 1ère or Outre-Mer 1ère , is a network of radio and television stations operating in France's overseas departments and territories around the world.The Outre-Mer 1ère network includes:...
television station
Television station
A television station is a business, organisation or other such as an amateur television operator that transmits content over terrestrial television. A television transmission can be by analog television signals or, more recently, by digital television. Broadcast television systems standards are...
that, "We were invited to attend the ceremonies. But I'd like to point out that we come as external observers and I would not like to take sides in the current quarrel between one side or the other."