Paepae Kapu o Liloa or The sacred threshold of Liloa

Paepae Kapu o Liloa or The sacred threshold of Liloa. . , Liloa was a sacred high chief from Waipi'o Valley on Hawai'i Island. During construction of a walkway to his residence, Liloa himself brought this large stone to be the threshold. Only he and his chief attendant were allowed to step on the paepae kapu because he had carried it on his shoulders. All others entered the house through a different door. , Once while traveling abroad incognito, Liloa happened upon a beautiful young commoner. Their meeting resulted in the birth of a son named 'Umi. When he was old enough, 'Umi took the niho palaoa (ivory pendant) and other chiefly tokens that Liloa had given his mother and journeyed to Waipi'o to claim his birthright. When he arrived at Liloa's house, he burst through the door, stepping on the paepae kapu to declare his rank. Liloa recognized the tokens and joyfully claimed 'Umi as his son , 'Umi, the lowborn chief, would later usurp his older half-brother, Hakau, the legitimate heir to his Father's chiefdom, and successfully unite most of the island of Hawai'i under his rule. The Kamehameha and Kalakaua dynasties are his descendants. , Kalakaua brought the papae kapu from Hawai'i Island to one of his private homes in Honolulu. It was given to the State of Hawai'i by Mrs. J.K. Woods, the widow of Prince Kuhio, who was a nephew of King Kalakaua. , KAPU -- Do not sit or stand on this sacred stone.