Aleamotu'a

Aleamotuʻa (birth date unknown, died 18 November 1845) (addressed as Tupou when he became Tu'i Kanokupolu, then baptized as Siosaia (Josiah) Tupou and later known as Tupou ‘i Fale Tui Papai, after the name of the area in which he was buried). Aleamotuʻa was the 18th Tu'i Kanokupolu of Tonga, the third lineage of Tongan Kings with the political and military power who ruled in support of the Tu'i Tonga (The Sacred King of Tonga).

In addition to his the birth name Aleamotuʻa, this Tongan king was baptised under the name Josiah or Sosaia. Upon his ascension he received the title of Tupou. The use of "Tupou" as the formal title of the Tu'i Kanokupolu was recorded by early missionaries as they witnessed the installment of Tuku'aho. George Vason recorded the chiefs' meeting and Tuku'aho's subsequent installation.

"Do bou Toogahowe Dugonagaboola fy talliaba gee ma toolou," or the original translation by Vason was "Toogahowe will be chief and we will do as we please" or in contemporary Tongan writing Tupou Tuku'aho Tu'i Kanokupolu, fa'iteliha ki mautolu". This translation by Vason had the chiefs declaring their free choice selecting Tuku'aho as King. A more modern Tongan translation confirms the meaning but reads as a submission, " Tupou Tuku'aho fa'iteliha kia mautolu." This translation stress on the word "ki" or as Vason spelled it, "gee". This translation means "Tupou Tuku'aho do as you wishes of us", a sign of submission to the King's will. Whatever the intended meaning of the statement, it confirmed that Tuku'aho was addressed as Tupou and that the chiefs had selected him as King.

Mr. Thomas recorded the installment of King George Taufa'ahau Tupou in 1845, the first Christian installment, in which a prayer was said. It is significant in that it verifies that Tupou is not a name, but a title designating the Tu'i Kanokupolu (king).

Then one of the Fathers, Motua-buaka, stated the object of their meeting; and the King addressed them. The kava being poured into a dish, Motuabuaka called the King's name Tubou-Tui-kanokubolu, and handed the first cup to him.

This verifies that Tu'i Kanokupolu was referred to as Tupou. Another reference to Aleamotuʻa was highlighted by Schütz, who edited Cargill's (Misa Kakile) diary. Cargill's writing referenced another missionary, Mr. Lawry (Misa Lole in Tongan), and Mr. Gifford, an academic studying Tongan history.

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