Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
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| Tomasi Kulimoetoke II | |
| 50th Lavelua of Uvea (Wallis Island) | |
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| Reign | March 12, 1959 - May 7, 2007 |
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| Born | July 26, 1918 |
| Birthplace | Ha'afuasia, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna |
| Died | May 7, 2007 (aged 88) |
| Place of death | Mata'Utu, Wallis |
| Predecessor | Aloisia Council of Ministers |
| Successor | To be determined |
| Royal House | Takumasiva Dynasty |
Tomasi Kulimoetoke II (26 July 1918 - 7 May 2007) was the 50th Lavelua (King) of Uvea, one of the three traditional kingdoms in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna.
He was born in Ha'afuasia in the Hahake district on Wallis island.[1] He was elected king on 12 March 1959, after a 6 month-rule by a Council of Ministers. In early years, he supported closer links with France, recognising that Wallis was economically dependent on subsidies. After a national referendum, he signed treaty to make Wallis a French overseas territory (Territoire d'Outre-Mer) in 1961.[2]
He had six children: .[2]
In 2005, the King nearly lost his throne after his grandson, Tomasi Tuugahala, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for the involuntary manslaughter of a pedestrian who was killed in a drunk-driving accident on New Year's Eve. The King invited his grandson to take refuge in the royal palace, where he hid for four months before surrendering to the French gendarmes. The King himself urged France to "quit the colony". The King also claimed that the incident was dealt with according to customary tribal law and that the French penal law should be abolished in Uvea.
Reformists wished to depose the King and install Sosefo Mautamakia as his successor. Local riots occurred and the coronation did not take place. The King retained the throne and would be further recognised as such by France. Several hundred of the King's supporters marched and built roadblocks on the island during the crisis.[3]
His daughter Etua took over his ceremonial duties in later years, when he suffered from poor health. He died in Mata-Utu.[4] A six-month mourning period will be observed, during which it will be taboo to mention a successor.[5]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Tohi tau'ine a te pule'aga falani (French). Uvea mo Futuna Online Magazine (9 May 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ a b Obituary, The Independent, 8 May 2007
- ^ Civil war averted in French Pacific territory, The New Zealand Herald, 11 August 2005.
- ^ King of Wallis dies aged 88, Radio New Zealand International, 7 May 2007.
- ^ No new king in Wallis for six months, Radio New Zealand International, 9 May 2007.
