Umi-a-Liloa

ʻUmi-a-Līloa (fifteenth century) was the supreme ruler Aliʻi-ʻAimoku (High chief of Hawaiʻi Island) who inherited religious authority of the Hawaiian Islands from his father, High Chief Līloa, whose line is traced, unbroken to Hawaiian "creation".

She was of a lesser line of chiefs who Līloa had fallen in love with when he discovered her bathing in a river.

He became Aliʻi nui after the death of his half-brother Hākau, who inherited the lands of his father to rule.

The couple met when Liloa, the then ali'i-ai-moku of Hawaii was visiting the local area of Hamakua.

She recovered the hidden tokens of royal sovereignty to present to her husband to prove the high treason he would have committed.

Umi entered the walled off enclosure with attendants afraid to stop someone wearing the royal insignia and walked straight to Liloa's sleeping quarters, waking the king.

After learning of Umi, Hākau became upset and demanded answers from his father, who assured his first born that he would be king after his death and his brother would serve him.

In contrast, Hākau refused to attend to his father's two favorite kahuna, who were now ailing and requesting food after an illness.

Many had a royal bloodline, land and could leave their temples as warriors when needed but could never give up their spiritual responsibilities.

Umi took the advice of the two priest that assisted him by marrying many woman of high noble rank, including his half sister Kapukini and the daughter of the ruler of Hilo, where he had been given sanctuary during Hākau's reign.