Liloa
Encyclopedia
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 (ali'i nui kapu) who was noted for his good deeds. He carried the "sacred slab of Liloa" to make a pavement of stones leading from the bank of the place called Kahiki-mai-aea to the narrow side door of the chief's residence. The stone was famous down to the time of Kamehameha I
. Liloa was a religious chief who kept the peace in his kingdom and his people contented and prosperous.
Liloa built the heiau of honuula in Waipio Valley
, his home. Before he died, Liloa gave Umi
the custody of the war god while making Hakau
, Umi's half-brother, his heir. Umi defeated Hakau in battle and sacrificed the loser and his attendants at the heiau
. Thus began a tradition upheld by Kamehameha I
when he defeated his rival cousin, Kiwalao.
He kept his court at Waipio. He is represented as an affable, jolly monarch, who frequently traveled over the island, kept the other chiefs quiet, and protected the landholders. Liloa's first wife was Pinea or Piena, a Maui
chiefess, with whom he had a son, Hakau
, and a daughter, Kapukini. Later in life, while travelling near the borders of the Hamakua
and Hilo districts, (The legend says that he had been to Koholalele in Hamakua to consecrate the Heiau called Manini, and that, passing from there, he stopped at Kaawikiwiki, and at the gulch of Hoea, near Kealakaha, he fell in love with Akahiakuleana
.)
He spied a young woman, of whom he became deeply enamoured,and whom he seduced, and the fruit of which liaison was a son, whom the mother named Umi
, and who afterwards played so great a role in the annals of Hawaii. The mother of Umi was named Akahiakuleana, and though in humble life, she was a lineal descendant in the sixth generation from Kalahuimoku, the son of Kanipahu
Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, with Hualani of the Nanaulu-Maweke line, and haft-brother to Kalapana
, the direct ancestor of Liloa.
When parting from Akahiakuleana, Liloa gave her the ivory clasp (Palaoa) of his necklace, his feather wreath (Lei-hulu), and his Malo or loincloth
, (One legend has it that, instead of the Lei, Liloa gave her his Laau-palau, a short instrument for cutting taro
tops, a dagger) and told her that when the child was grown up, if it was a boy, to send him with these token to Waipio, and he would acknowledge him. The boy grew up with and journeyed to Waipio valley. 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. Liloa publicly acknowledged Umi as his son and he soon became the favourite of all.
In 1495 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 his 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.
Legends make no mention of any wars or contentions having occurred during Liloa's long reign to disturb the tranquillity of Hawaii. Liloa's high-priest was Laeanuikaumanamana, great-grandson of Kuaiwa through his son Ehu, and he received as a gift in perpetuity from Liloa the land in Kona
district called Kekaha, which, through all subsequent vicissitudes of wars and revolutions, remained undisturbed in Laenui's family until the time of Kamehameha I.
He was the son of King Kihanuilulumoku
Kihanuilulumoku
Kihanuilulumoku was the 11th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii ruling from 1435 to 1465. He was sovereign king or chief of the island of Hawaii.- Biography :Kiha-nui-lulu-moku was the son of Kauholanuimahu and Neula, and succeeded his father as Moi of Hawaii...
, 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 (ali'i nui kapu) who was noted for his good deeds. He carried the "sacred slab of Liloa" to make a pavement of stones leading from the bank of the place called Kahiki-mai-aea to the narrow side door of the chief's residence. The stone was famous down to the time of Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
. Liloa was a religious chief who kept the peace in his kingdom and his people contented and prosperous.
Liloa built the heiau of honuula in Waipio Valley
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...
, his home. Before he died, Liloa gave Umi
Umi
Umi may refer to:*Umi, Fukuoka, a town in Japan *'Umi-a-Liloa, king of the island of Hawaii*Umi Ryuzaki, a character in the fictional manga series Magic Knight Rayearth*UMI, Universal Mobile Interface...
the custody of the war god while making Hakau
Hakau
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...
, Umi's half-brother, his heir. Umi defeated Hakau in battle and sacrificed the loser and his attendants at 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...
. Thus began a tradition upheld by Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
when he defeated his rival cousin, Kiwalao.
He kept his court at Waipio. He is represented as an affable, jolly monarch, who frequently traveled over the island, kept the other chiefs quiet, and protected the landholders. Liloa's first wife was Pinea or Piena, a Maui
Maui
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,...
chiefess, with whom he had a son, Hakau
Hakau
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...
, and a daughter, Kapukini. Later in life, while travelling near the borders of the Hamakua
Hamakua
thumb|right|280px|Districts of [[Hawaii |Hawaii island]]: from northernmost, clockwise; [[Kohala, Hawaii|Kohala]], Hāmākua , [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]], [[Puna, Hawaii|Puna]], [[Kau, Hawaii|Kaū]], [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]]...
and Hilo districts, (The legend says that he had been to Koholalele in Hamakua to consecrate the Heiau called Manini, and that, passing from there, he stopped at Kaawikiwiki, and at the gulch of Hoea, near Kealakaha, he fell in love with 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...
.)
He spied a young woman, of whom he became deeply enamoured,and whom he seduced, and the fruit of which liaison was a son, whom the mother named Umi
Umi
Umi may refer to:*Umi, Fukuoka, a town in Japan *'Umi-a-Liloa, king of the island of Hawaii*Umi Ryuzaki, a character in the fictional manga series Magic Knight Rayearth*UMI, Universal Mobile Interface...
, and who afterwards played so great a role in the annals of Hawaii. The mother of Umi was named Akahiakuleana, and though in humble life, she was a lineal descendant in the sixth generation from Kalahuimoku, the son of Kanipahu
Kanipahu
Kanipahu ruled as the 4th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii 1215–1245. He was of the Pili line of Hawaii chiefs.After Kani-pahu lived on Molokai and it was discovered that he was a chief, he was taken by Hualani, the ruling chiefess of Molokai. One of the neverforgotten fact of Kanipahu's descendants was this...
Alii Aimoku of Hawaii, with Hualani of the Nanaulu-Maweke line, and haft-brother to Kalapana
Kalapana
Kalapana is a Hawaiian group that performs pop and soft rock music. They are known for their songs "Naturally" and "The Hurt".-Early history :...
, the direct ancestor of Liloa.
When parting from Akahiakuleana, Liloa gave her the ivory clasp (Palaoa) of his necklace, his feather wreath (Lei-hulu), and his Malo or loincloth
Loincloth
A loincloth is a one-piece male garment, sometimes kept in place by a belt, which covers the genitals and, at least partially, the buttocks.-History and types:Loincloths are being and have been worn:*in societies where no other clothing is needed or wanted...
, (One legend has it that, instead of the Lei, Liloa gave her his Laau-palau, a short instrument for cutting taro
Taro
Taro is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae . Of these, Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated, and is the subject of this article. More specifically, this article describes the 'dasheen' form of taro; another variety is called eddoe.Taro is...
tops, a dagger) and told her that when the child was grown up, if it was a boy, to send him with these token to Waipio, and he would acknowledge him. The boy grew up with and journeyed to Waipio valley. 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. Liloa publicly acknowledged Umi as his son and he soon became the favourite of all.
In 1495 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 his 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.
Legends make no mention of any wars or contentions having occurred during Liloa's long reign to disturb the tranquillity of Hawaii. Liloa's high-priest was Laeanuikaumanamana, great-grandson of Kuaiwa through his son Ehu, and he received as a gift in perpetuity from Liloa the land in Kona
Kona District, Hawaii
Kona is the name of a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaii in the State of Hawaii. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the moku of Kona is divided into North Kona District and South Kona District . The term "Kona" is sometimes used to refer to its largest town,...
district called Kekaha, which, through all subsequent vicissitudes of wars and revolutions, remained undisturbed in Laenui's family until the time of Kamehameha I.