William Kaihe’ekai Mai’oho, curator of the Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum, has died.

Mai’oho served as the curator for the mausoleum located in Nuuanu since Jan. 3, 1995. He was the sixth generation of his family to care for Mauna ‘Ala. Mai’oho is a descendent of Ho’olulu, one of two high chiefs who secretly buried King Kamehameha I’s iwi or bones.

Kamehameha the Great died in Kailua-Kona in May 1819. 

According to a March 2006 Honolulu Star-Bulletin story, Ho’olulu, and the other high chief and brother, Hoapili, paddled by canoe to an undersea cave accessible at low tide and buried the iwi. 

The location of the iwi remains unknown today. 

Mauna ‘Ala includes the tombs of every member of Hawaiian royalty with the exception of Kamehameha the Great and King William Charles Lunalilo. 

Mai’oho succeeded his mother, Lydia Namahanaikalelekalani Taylor Mai’oho, who served as the curator from 1966 to 1994 when she retired. 

Mai’oho stepped in after Gov. John Waihee appointed him to the position.