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

For 20 years, Mai‘oho served as kahu of the mausoleum, stepping in on Jan. 3, 1995, following his mother’s retirement.

He died Monday.

Lance Keawe Wilhelm, chairman of both the Charles Reed Bishop Trust and Kamehameha Schools’ board of trustees, said members were saddened to hear of Mai‘oho’s death.

"He was a teacher, mentor and role model in all matters relating to the proper care and respect for our kupuna at Mauna ‘Ala. Through the person he was and the protective presence he and his family have represented for generations, he was a true inspiration and reminder of an enduring and priceless connection to the history of our people," said Wilhelm in an emailed statement. "We wish the entire Maioho ‘ohana our fondest aloha."

Mai‘oho was the sixth generation of his family to care for Mauna ‘Ala. He is a descendent of Ho‘olulu, one of two high chiefs who secretly buried King Kamehameha I’s iwi, or bones, after he died in May 1819. The location of the iwi is still unknown today.

All but two members of Hawaiian royalty — Kamehameha the Great and King William Charles Lunalilo — are interred at Mauna ‘Ala, a 3.5-acre site in Nuuanu.

Mai‘oho succeeded his mother, Lydia Namahanaikalelekalani Taylor Mai‘oho, 29 years to the day she started as kahu on Jan. 3, 1966.

When he was a toddler, his mother sent him to live for a few years with his grandparents at Mauna ‘Ala. His grandfather, William Kaihe‘ekai Taylor, became kahu in 1947, succeeding his cousin, Fred Beckley Kahea.

William Mai‘oho often listened to stories his grandfather shared with visitors, learning a lot about Hawaiian culture and history.

Mai‘oho’s grandfather oversaw Mauna ‘Ala until he died in 1956 and was succeeded by Mai‘oho’s grandmother, Emily Kekahaloa Taylor.

Mai‘oho stepped in after Gov. John Waihee appointed him to the position following his mother’s retirement.

Family friend Annelle Amaral, president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, described him as a kind spirit and very knowledgeable of Hawaiian history.

Overseeing Mauna ‘Ala was his kuleana, she said. "He took it very seriously."

"I’m going to miss him a great deal," she added. "He’s a good man."

Deborah Ward, spokeswoman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, extended condolences to the Mai‘oho family.

Funding for the mausoleum comes from DLNR’s general operations budget.

Mai‘oho, affectionately known as Uncle Bill, served not only as kahu and curator but a guide and oral historian to groups and schools visiting the mausoleum to perpetuate the legacy of Hawaiian royalty, said Ward in an emailed statement.