Tomasi Kulimoetoke II

Infobox_Monarch
name = Tomasi Kulimoetoke II
title = 50th Lavelua of Uvea (Wallis Island)


reign = March 12, 1959 - May 7, 2007
coronation =
predecessor = Aloisia
Council of Ministers
successor = Council of Ministers
Kapiliele Faupala
suc-type =
heir =
consort =
issue =
royal house = Takumasiva Dynasty
royal anthem =
father =
mother =
date of birth = July 26, 1918
place of birth = Ha'afuasia, Wallis Island, Wallis and Futuna
date of death = death date and age|2007|5|7|1918|7|26
place of death = Mata'Utu, Wallis
place of burial= |

Tomasi Kulimoetoke II (26 July 1918 – 7 May 2007) was the 50th Lavelua (King) of Wallis Island, which is known as Uvea in the Wallisian language, one of the three traditional kingdoms in the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna.

He was born in Ha'afuasia in the Hahake district on Wallis island.cite web|url=http://www.uvea-mo-futuna.com/article.php3?id_article=2326|title=Tohi tau'ine a te pule'aga falani|publisher=Uvea mo Futuna Online Magazine|date=9 May 2007|accessdate=2007-10-16|language=French] He was elected king on 12 March 1959, after a 6 month-rule by a Council of Ministers. In early years, he supported closer links with France, recognising that Wallis was economically dependent on subsidies. After a national referendum, he signed treaty to make Wallis a French overseas territory ("Territoire d'Outre-Mer") in 1961. [http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2521686.ece Obituary] , "The Independent", 8 May 2007]

He had six children.

In 2002, the king riled many of his countrymen, as well as France, by shutting down the island's only newspaper because it had carried an editorial criticising him for giving refuge to a family friend, after she was sentenced to jail for embezzling public funds. Reformists also mocked the king's insistence that Wallisians dismount from their bicycles when passing his palace.

In 2005, the King nearly lost his throne after his grandson, Tomasi Tuugahala, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for the involuntary manslaughter of a pedestrian who was killed in a drunk-driving accident on New Year's Eve. The King invited his grandson to take refuge in the royal palace, where he hid for four months before surrendering to the French gendarmes. The King himself urged France to "quit the colony". The King also claimed that the incident was dealt with according to customary tribal law and that the French penal law should be abolished in Uvea.

Reformists wished to depose the King and install Sosefo Mautamakia as his successor. Local riots occurred and the coronation did not take place. The King retained the throne and would be further recognised as such by France. Several hundred of the King's supporters marched and built roadblocks on the island during the crisis. [ [http://subs.nzherald.co.nz/location/story.cfm?l_id=500642&ObjectID=10340298 Civil war averted in French Pacific territory] , "The New Zealand Herald", 11 August 2005.]

His daughter Etua took over his ceremonial duties in later years, when he suffered from poor health. He died in Mata-Utu. [ [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=32021 King of Wallis dies aged 88] , Radio New Zealand International, 7 May 2007.] A six-month mourning period was observed, during which it was taboo to mention a possible successor. [ [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=32104 No new king in Wallis for six months] , Radio New Zealand International, 9 May 2007.]

External links

* [http://news.scotsman.com/obituaries/King-Tomasi-Kulimoetoke.3284276.jp Obituary in The Scotsman.com]

References