William Pūnohu White
| William Pūnohu White | |
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| Member of the Kingdom of Hawaii House of Representatives for the district of Lahaina, Maui |
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In office 1890–1893 |
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| Member of the Territory of Hawaii Senate for the Second District |
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In office February 20, 1901 – July 29, 1901 |
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| Sheriff of Maui County | |
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In office January 4, 1904 – January 16, 1904 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 6, 1851 Lahaina, Maui, Kingdom of Hawaii |
| Died | November 2, 1925 (aged 74) Honolulu, Oʻahu, Territory of Hawaii |
| Nationality |
Kingdom of Hawaii United States |
| Political party |
Home Rule Democrat Home Rule National Liberal National Reform Reform National |
| Spouse(s) | Ester Apuna Akina |
| Alma mater | Luaehu School |
| Occupation | Lawyer, newspaper editor, sheriff |
| Nickname(s) | "Bila Aila" or "Bila Aila" (Oily Bill) |
William Pūnohuʻāweoweoʻulaokalani White (August 6, 1851 – November 2, 1925) was a Hawaiian lawyer, sheriff, politician, and newspaper editor. He became a political statesman and orator during the final years of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the beginnings of the Territory of Hawaii. Despite being a leading Native Hawaiian politician in this era, his legacy has been largely forgotten or portrayed in a negative light, largely because of a reliance on English-language sources to write Hawaiian history. He was known by the nickname of "Pila Aila" or "Bila Aila" (translated as Oily Bill) for his oratory skills.
Born in Lahaina, Maui, of mixed Native Hawaiian and English descent, White was descended from Kaiakea, a legendary orator for King Kamehameha I. Representing Lahaina in the legislative assemblies of 1890 and 1892, he became a political leader for the Liberal faction in the government and established himself as a leader in the opposition to the unpopular Bayonet Constitution of 1887. Throughout the terms of both legislatures, White led attempts to pass bills calling for a constitutional convention. He was criticized by the missionary Reform party for his support of the controversial lottery and opium bills. He and Joseph Nāwahī co-authored the proposed 1893 Constitution with Queen Liliʻuokalani. They were decorated Knight Commanders of the Royal Order of Kalākaua for their service and contribution to the monarchy. When an attempt by the queen to promulgate this constitution failed on January 14, 1893, White's opponents falsely alleged he had tried to incite the people to storm ʻIolani Palace and harm the queen and her ministers. White denied these charges and threatened to sue the newspapers. Three days after the attempted promulgation, the queen was deposed in a coup during the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii on January 17, 1893.
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