Celebrating Hawaii's Famous Chiefs from ancient times:
Hawaii has many myths and legends surrounding it's ancient rulers or Ali'i. One such famous Chief was Umi the peasant King of Hawai'i. Born to the unwed union of a commoner of exceptional beauty and the legendary King Liloa of the big island, Umi rose from obscurity to become one of the most renowned kings in Hawaiian history. Great of stature and skilled in the martial arts Umi was said to have introduced himself to his Royal father, Liloa by jumping over the palace walls, tossing aside the spears of the palace guards and landing in his fathers lap anouncing that he was his fathers long lost child. Such breach of protocol would have placed Umi in mortal danger had not the King recognized the Malo(loin cloth) and ivory and shell necklace he had left with Umi's mother many years prior; confirming his royal parentage. Umi would later raise a rebellion against his cruel and despotic half brother with the aid of the priesthood and secure his claim as Mo'i(King) ali'i nui o Hawai'i. Below is an article featuring Umi as the honoree for this years Aloha Na Ali'i Banquet at the Hawaii convention center.
Native Hawaiian Chief honored at annual Aloha Na Alii Banquet
HONOLULU, HI - The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and Bishop Museum honored Umi a Liloa during the 8th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention's Aloha Na Alii Banquet held on August 26, 2009 at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
The elegant Banquet is an extraordinary opportunity to be inspired and reminded of the strength and vision of Hawaiian leaders. Past honorees at the Banquet include King David Kalakaua, Queen Kapiolani, King William Charles Lunalilo, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, and Princess Ruth "Luka" Keelikolani.
"The banquet evening held every year at the CNHA Convention creates an opportunity to connect and re-connect with our stories, our history, our ancestors, our ali`i," said Lilia Kapuniai, CNHA Community Development Manger. "We truly mahalo Bishop Museum and Nā Pualei o Likolehua for a partnership that continues to inspire every year. The talent at the museum, and in our halau and practitioner community is awesome."
Umi a Liloa, commonly known as Umi, ruled as the 14th Alii Aimoku of Hawaii. Umi is an icon to many with his accomplishment of uniting all districts of Hawaii through wars. An excellent warrior, Umi was of lowly birth on his maternal side, but rose to leadership through his victories in battle.
The Aloha Na Alii Banquet featured Umi through a special exhibit that included exquisite pieces he possessed, and was followed by a dinner program, that included a mookuauhau (genealogy chant) by Mehanaokala Hind, a direct descendant of Umi and member of Halau Nā Pualei o Likolehua. The banquet agenda also included a memorable ola na moolelo (living stories) presented by Bishop Musuem's Moses Goods and Loko Maika'i Lipscomb.
To learn more about the Aloha Na Alii Banquet and the Annual Native Hawaiian Convention, contact CNHA at (808) 596-8155 or e-mail info@hawaiiancouncil.org.
CNHA is a Hawaii-based nonprofit serving a network of more than 100 organizations statewide and nationally. CNHA's mission is to enhance the well-being of Hawaii through the cultural, economic, and community development of Native Hawaiians. For more information about CNHA please contact us at 808.596.8155, toll-free at 1.800.709.2642, by e-mail at info@hawaiiancouncil.org, or visit our website at www.hawaiiancouncil.org
JDS Consulting: Hawaii Home Staging and Decor Design. Servicing Honolulu and Honolulu County, Oahu Hawaii.
Thanks for the great history lesson. I just realized who you look like, something I've been trying to figure out for many months. You look like my older brother. Is that you, Ron? Did you move to Hawaii and change your name without telling me? LOL
Aloha Russel, perhaps you are a "brutha fro anutha mutha", thanks for visiting.