Lupekapukeahomakaliʻi, an Oahuan high chief, was the King Consort of Oahu, being the husband of Kalaimanuia, 12th Alii Aimoku of Oahu. He was the co-ruler of the island along with his wife, making him fitting of the Western title King Consort.
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He was the son of High Chief Kalaniuli, a Koolau ali'i,[1] by his wife the High Chiefess Naluehiloikeahomakalii.[2] His father was probably of the Kalehenui branch of the Maweke Dynasty, since Kalehenui was the progneitor of the Koolau race, and therefore Lupekapu was born of high rank as well.[3] Nothing is known about her mother Naluehiloikeahomakalii. It is known that his stepmother was Princess Kauala of Oahu, the daughter of Kapiko-a-Haka, son of Haka.[1] And his half-sisters were the High Chiefess- Hoohila, great-grandmother or grandmother of Queen Consort Kalua of Oahu; and the High Chiefess Kaioe, mother of Queen Consort Kahamaluihi of Oahu.[2]
Although Lupekapu was an aliʻi piʻo (Chief of Highest Rank), he continued, like other chiefs, to work at much simpler and traditional occupation of farming and fishing. Lupekapu is remembered as a Lawaiʻa Nui (Master Fisherman), who had knowledge of every fish, plant, wave and current in the ocean. He was extremely skilled in "handling fine fishlines and the snells[4] of tiny fishhooks." So proficient was he that his companions dubbed him Lupe-kapu-keaho-makaliʻi (Sacred Lupe of Fine Fishlines).[5]
Lupe was praised for his benevolence and generosity for sharing his profits from the sea. This is a pervasive theme in Hawaiian morality and legend. Without a doubt, he probably offered his first catch to the gods, then shared the remaining catch with his helpers, relatives and even strangers. Indeed, if a stranger happened to be on the beach when a catch was being unloaded, he was allowed to walk up to the pile of fish and take one, as long as it was for his own use. His attitude and loving care for his people would influence his great-great-great-great grandson, Kualii, to make the practice of feeding strangers a kanawai (law of the land), called Law of Ni'aupi'o Kolowalu.[6]
Lupe married Queen Kalaimanuia of Oahu. Highly spoken in legends as a kindhearted and wise man. He was the co-ruler of Oahu rulinh jointly with his wife. Which was a position not shared by his predecessor Luaia, the consort of Queen Kukaniloko. He frequently accompanied his wife on her royal duties, including the customary circuits of inspection of the island, and even, assisting her in the governing of the land and the administration of justice.[3] They promoted policies aimed at increasing the productivity and enconomy throughout the kingdom. Oddly they did not impose any harsh taxes on the noble or their subjects; but, instead, encouraged them to build hale mua (men's chapel or men's eating house). These hale muas, where men eat and worship in solitude, were kapu to women. This action doesn't sound the action of a female ruler; Lupe may have influence this.[5] Another policy influenced by Lupe was the construction of fishponds. Kalaimanuia main reasons for constructing this large walled ponds were most likely to feed the fast blooming population of Oahu and satisfy her husband fishing nature.[5][6]
Because of the humaneness of his actions, the people trusted Lupe and followed the laws he set forth.[3] An instance of Lupekapu s mildness of disposition has been preserved in folklore. Once when he was on a tour of the kingdom, he found out that a native had stolen a hog from the chief. When the theft was found out, Lupekapu goes to the house of the thief and asks, "Did you steal my hog?" The commoner answered trembling, "Yes." Lupekapu then ordered the thief to prepare an oven and bake the hog. When that was done, he was told to sit down and eat. The thief fell to with a light heart, but on attempting to rise, when his natural appetite was satisfied, he was sternly told to continue eating until he was told to desist.[2] When nearly suffocated with food, the poor wretch was told to get up, and Lupekapu told him[6][7]:
"Next time that you steal your neighbor’s hogs, the law of the land that Mailikukahi established - will punish you, viz., you will be sacrificed as a malefactor and your bones will be scraped to make fish-hooks and arrow-heads of."[6][7]
So because he tried to satisfy the demands of both mercy and justice, the commoners treasured his words and his humaneness. Lupekapu's wise decisions and kindness made him superior or at least equal to the biblical King Solomon.[6]
Lupekapu and Kalaimanuia had four issues, three sons and one daughter. They were the Prince Ku-a-Manuia, Prince Kaihikapu-a-Manuia, Prince Hao, and Princess Kekela. Instead of raising their own sons, they were, according to ancient Hawaiian custom, hanai (given/adopted) to chiefs and chiefesses of high rank, who were generally related to the parent and to be taken. Several kahus or guardians were to attend to his three sons.[7] Their eldest Ku was brought up in Waikiki, Kona, with the intention that he be the ali'i haku (direct overlord) of Waikiki before taking the office of Moi.[5] Kaihikapu at Waimanalo, Koolaupoko, and Haoat Waikele, Ewa; but the daughter, Kekela, was brought up with Lupe and Kalaimanuia probably at their home in Kalauao, Ewa. Before her death Kalaimanuia divided the entire island between their four children.[7] Lupe was never mentioned to have inherited anything, and he may have already died by that time, since his wife lived till she was well into her 90s.[3]
| Preceded by Luaia |
Royal Consort of Oahu | Succeeded by Kaunui-a-Kanehoalani |