‘Umialiloa was a famous chief who ruled the island of Hawaiʻi. He didn’t inherit the position. He gained the rule of Hawaiʻi by conquest. ‘Umi was able to unite all of the districts of Hawaiʻi. Eventually, all districts of the Island of Hawai’i were under his rule.
ʻUmi’s father was Chief Liloa, a high chief on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Even though he was the son of a high chief, he was born in a low rank because his mother, Akahiakuleana was a part of a lesser line of chiefs. Many looked down upon ʻUmi because they believed he didn’t have enough mana to be such a high-ranking chief. To resolve this issue, he married many women of high chiefly descent. He married Pi’ikea, daughter of Pi’ilani, the Moʻi of Maui. He then married his half …show more content…
At first, he was believed to be a decent King, but eventually, he became really harsh and brutal. Hākau knew that ʻUmialiloa was always his father’s favorite and he became really jealous and envious. Hākau grew hatred for his brother and tried many times to kill him. ʻUmi fled to the district of Hilo to avoid his brother’s anger. In Hilo, he begins to gain followers and builds forces. He also decides to revolt against his brother.
ʻUmialiloa, his adopted sons and Kahunas Nunu and Kakohe assassinated Chief Hākau and slaughtered his people during the tabu period of Ku. “The sons of the chiefs of Kona, Kaʻu, Puna and Hilo fled to their parents in secret.” With the killing of Hākau, ʻUmi and his men were able to gain independence for Kona, Kaʻu, Puna and Hilo. Kaoleiohi was the priest who gave ʻUmi the most support when he decided to revolt against Hākau. Kaoleiohi became ʻUmi’s high priest and chief …show more content…
He took the whole island by conquest. After revolting against Hākau and killing him, he ruled the area that once belonged to Hākau. ʻUmi and his men went to Hilo to begin war. Hilo’s chiefs were unprepared allowing ʻUmi and his men to kill them all. ʻUmi was able to put the district of Hilo under his rule. Imaikalani was the chief of the Kau district. He was blind and used flying ducks, and 2 men to help him fight in battle. He was strong and powerful. All men who tried to defeat Imaikalani were killed. Pi’imaiwa’a found the secret to his success. He realized that Imaikalani uses those 2 men and those flying ducks. Pi’imaiwa’a killed all the ducks and his 2 men, leaving the blind chief without any aid or guard. When Imaikalani was killed, Umi took the district of Kau. The chief of Kona was Ehunuikaimalino. Although he was strong, he was old in age, making it easy for ‘Umialiloa to take Kona and Kohala. With all this success, ʻUmi had every district of the island of Hawaiʻi under his rule, making him the king of Hawaiʻi.
ʻUmialiloa was a great King because he cared for his people. He cared for old men, old women, the fatherless and the common people. He didn’t hesitate when it came to giving food or helping out those in need. ʻUmialiloa was just a boy who grew up in poverty. With his hard work, dedication and drive, he was able to conquer all of the districts of the island of Hawaiʻi and