Ulumaheihei Hoapili
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Ulumaheihei Hoapili 1776[1] - 1840 was a Hawaiian chief and Kamehameha's most faithful advisor, Hoapili was given the honor of properly disposing of the king's bones after death and caring for his most sacred wife.
Rare ivory pendants and feather lei draped the necks of the chiefs. Having been called to council by the aging Kamehameha, the chiefs had arrived wearing the impressive insignia of rank inherited from royal ancestors or claimed on the battlefield. Standing out among the assembled ali'i was the unadorned figure of Ulumaheihei. Ulumaheihei was one of the most respected of the king's advisors, yet he boasted no outward trappings of his status.
Impressed with Ulumaheihei's humility, Kamehameha bestowed on him a singular honor and responsibility-the proper disposal of his bones after death. He wanted to ensure that, like the bones of other great chiefs, his remains would be laid where they could never be found and desecrated. He did not want to suffer the same fate as his father, Keoua, whose final resting place was well known-the sacred cliff at Ka'awaloa. Kamehameha told the chiefs: "I shall not be hidden from sight after death by any of you, for here all of you are wearing the remains of your deceased chiefs in the symbols of rank that you so openly display. There is Ulumaheihei, ku'u hoapili [my close and faithful companion]. It is he alone who is to conceal my bones after I die."
Thereafter, Ulumaheihei was called Hoapili in recognition of Kamehameha's high regards for him.
Hoapili was the son of Kame'eiamoku, one of the twin "uncles" of Kamehameha who had fought faithfully at his side. On the death of Kame'eiamoku, Kamehameha had granted his son the same position of trust. According to the native historian Kamakau, Hoapili was the only chief to whom Kamehameha would defer without question. And when Kamehameha's sons Liholiho and Kauikeaouli came into power, Hoapili continued to hold the same authority.
He was known for his athletic ability, stamina in battle, courage and intelligence. Once, he and a companion encountered a wild bull below Puowaina (today called Punchbowl). He grabbed the charging animal by the horns, flipped him onto the ground and killed him.
Hoapili was popular among the chiefesses because of his fair, clear complexion, dark eyes, regular features and tall, well-developed physique. He was also trained in the priesthood of Nahulu, skilled in oratory, and knowledgeable about ancient lore, genealogy, the history of chiefs, politics and astronomy.
Kamehameha also demonstrated his confidence in Hoapili by entrusting him with the care of his most sacred wife, Keopuolani. After Kamehameha's death, Hoapili and Keopuolani were married and lived in the household of Kamehameha's son, Liholiho (who reigned as Kamehameha II). The couple converted to Christianity, learned to read and write, and encouraged the establishment of schools to teach chiefs and commoners alike. They supported the missionary effort by designating lands for churches, and constructed a stone church at Waine'e in Lahaina.
In 1823, Keopuolani died and was interred in the Waine'e church's cemetery. Hoapili married another of Kamehameha's widows, Kalakua Kaheiheimalie. In deference to the Christian way, Kaheiheimalie assumed her husband's name, becoming Hoapili-wahine. Together, they hanaied (adopted) and raised Prince Lot Kapuaiwa, grandson of Hoapili-wahine and Kamehameha. Lot would later rule as Kamehameha V.
Hoapili also provided for Kekauonohi, a granddaughter of Kamehameha, as well as his own daughter, Liliha, who would become governess of O'ahu. He became the governor of Maui, Molokai and Lanai in 1836 and serve until his death.
At his death in January 3, 1840, Hoapili was buried according to his wishes at the church at Waine'e which is now Waiola Church. His grave is there today, among members of the Kamehameha line whom he had served in life Keopuolani, Kaheiheimalie, Kekauonohi and Liliha, not leaving their sides even in death.
[edit] References
Silva , Carol . "Hoapili, Trusted Companion." Spirit of Aloha. 1998 - 2006 . Spirit of Aloha-Aloha Airlines'. 14 Feb 2008 <http://citationmachine.net/index.php?reqstyleid=1&reqsrcid=14&mode=form&more=>.
