The Rise of the ̒I chiefs of Hilo
Part I: The Early Forbearers of the ̒I:
Liloa [(1540-1590 (50)]
[(20) (1560-1590) (30)]
Waipi̒o Valley circa
1820's
Liloa was a powerful and religious ruling King of Hawaii
whose dominion encompassed the entire island of Hawaii. He ruled from his
capital in Waipi̒o Valley as did as many as six generations of Kings before
him. At the same time he was a King who often visited and lived in other
districts in his kingdom.
During one of these sojourns he met a young woman with whom
he had an affair. (This is a famous story which is referenced below) Liloa left
her with some remembrances on the understanding that if there was a child and
it was a male, the boy should present himself to Liloa when he reached the age
of entry into the Mua, the men's society. Such was the case, and the boy, who
was named Umi, Umi a Liloa, in time went to Waipio and presented himself to
King Liloa. Umi was recognized as a son
of Liloa and admitted to the court of the King.
The king had another son, Hakau, the product of a high
ranking marriage, who was the chosen successor to the thrown. Yet it is said
that despite repeated reassurances of his ultimate ascendency he bore Umi ill
will regarding him as an interloper and tormented the boy whenever he could.
Despite this, Umi's good temper allowed him to became the king's favorite.
Liloa is said to have been a popular king. He was true to
his gods and fair to his people. His
rule was long and peaceful.
Some World
Events During the Time of Liloa:
1560 England/Scotland signs
Treaty of Edinburgh
1565 1st Spanish settlement in
Philippines, Cebu City, forms
1571 Spanish troops occupy
Manila
1573 Battle of Mikatagahara, in
Japan; Takeda Shingen defeats Tokugawa Ieyasu.
1576 The Mexican city of León is
founded
1580 Frances Drake completes
circumnavigation of the world.
1587 Queen Elizabeth I of
England signs death warrant for Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots
1588 English fleet beats Spanish
Armada
1590 Tokugawa Ieyasu enters Edo
Hākau (Overthrown)
Reign:[(??) (1590-1592)(2)]
The surviving myths and legends paint Hakau, the ranking son
of Liloa, as a bitter, mean spirited man who, on the death of his father, rose
to Kingship as promised by Liloa, but who took out his frustrations on his
father's court, and the people of the valley of
Waipio. Umi and his followers were particularly singled, out and forced
to flee the valley and sought refuge in Hilo. In Hilo Umi was recognized as a
contender to the thrown by a powerful priest Ka'oleioku.
Waipi̒o Valley Today
There a devious plot was hatched to overthrow Hakau. The two
priests returned to Waipio with warnings of Umi's growing power, and advised to
Hakau to begin preparations to attack Umi in Hilo. Hakau sent his warriors into the mountains to
gather feathers and ohia to refurbish his war god and rededicate his luakini heiau.
. In the meantime Umi had marched his forces north to the edges of Waipio
valley and descended into the valley to attack a relatively defenseless Hakau. Hakau's
entire court was slaughtered with little mercy in retribution for their many
crimes against the people.
Some World Events
during the reign of Hakau
1590 Tokugawa Ieyasu enters Edo
1591 Roanoke Island colony found
abandon on American Coast.
Taro Farmer in Waipi̒o Valley (Honolulu Magazine 2001,Mark Arbeit
Umi (Umi-a-Liloa I) (Usurper) [(1560-1611) (51)] [(32) (1592-1611) (19)]
And so, after only a very brief reign, the suspicious, mean, and high born Hakau fell to Umi, the son of a low ranking mother. Umi's ascendency
was however not without difficulties. Some chiefs welcomed Umi's reign while
others resisted. After some time it appears that Umi managed to create good
relations with all his district chiefs and ruled a strong and unified island kingdom.
Two major events
changed life on the Big Island in the time of Umi. The first is that Umi chose
to move his residence to the Kona side of the island. The second is that with
this move and the change in crops and climate, the importance of Lono as a god
of the planting and harvest increased, and Makahiki became a much more important aspect of
the Hawaii Island way of life.
Some world events during the time of Umi a Liloa
1593 State of Holland grants
patent on windmill with crankshaft
1594 Dutch East India Company
established
1595 Alvara Mendana discovers
Marquesas Island
1597 1st Dutch East India
Company ships return from Far East
1598 Netherland sailors discover
Mauritius
1600 Battle of Sekigahara sets
Tokugawa clan as Japan's ruling shogun
1603 Elizabeth I of England dies.
1607 Jamestown, 1st permanent
English settlement in New World
The Kona Uplands
The Kona Uplands were developed into the Kona Field System of
productive agriculture. This productivity is what gave power to the leeward coast. Plus its weather patterns are more pleasant than the windward coast.
Notes:
Dating Explained:
[(1560-1611) (51)] [(32) (1592-1611) (19)]
[(Estimated year of birth-Estimated year of death) (Age at
death)] [(Age at beginning of reign) (Estimated year of beginning of
reign-Estimated year of end of reign) (Years of reign)]
Further Reading:
Cordy: Exalted Sits the Chief, The Ancient History of
Hawaii Island
Malo: Hawaiian Antiquities
Fornander: Ancient
History of the Hawaiian People
