Kapiliele Faupala

Kapeliele "Gabriel" Faupala (29 March 1940 – 6 August 2026) was the Lavelua (King) of Wallis Island (Uvea), one of the three traditional kingdoms which comprise the French overseas territory of Wallis and Futuna. Faupala was officially crowned Lavelua on 25 July 2008, succeeding Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, who died in May 2007. He was removed from office on 2 September 2014.

Background Faupala was born in Ahoa, Wallis and Futuna on 29 March 1940. He was locally known as Kalae Kivalu before his coronation, by Wallisians. He was chosen by the late King of 'Uvea Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, to become the holder of the "Kalae Kivalu" Title (Prime Minister). He was from the village of Ahoa, which is located in the center of Wallis Island.

Faupala died on 6 August 2026, at the age of 86.

Lavelua Faupala's predecessor as Lavelua of Wallis, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, died in May 2007. Kulimoetoke had a sometimes strained relationship with French authorities during the final years of his reign.

The period of mourning officially ended in November 2007, at which time discussions for a possible successor formally began. The announcement of Faupala as the new King sparked protests by the other royal families and clans across Wallis. where Faupala's predecessor, Tomasi Kulimoetoke II, is buried. The coronation ended several days of formal traditional Wallisian celebrations, which included a kava ceremony and the presentation of gifts to the new King. Faupala was 68 years old at the time of his coronation.

Several of Wallis's chiefly royal families, only in the North (Hihifo), chose not to attend Faupala's coronation due to the ongoing dispute over the royal succession.

The coronation took place in the presence of the French Secretary General to the Administrator Superior of Wallis and Futuna, since the current Administrator Superior, Richard Didier, was traveling outside of Wallis and Futuna at the time. A large delegation from New Caledonia, which is also a French overseas possession, also attended the coronation. New Caledonian dignitaries included Marie-Claude Tjibaou, the then-current Chair of the Agency for the Development of Kanak Culture. A number of pro-French New Caledonian political parties were also represented including the president of Future Together, Didier Leroux. Other New Caledonian political and traditional figures, such as the Chairman of South Province Philippe Gomès and the High Chief of Lifou Island, Evanes Boula, also attended Faupala's coronation on invitation.

The New Caledonian delegation was careful not to become involved with the internal Wallisian royal succession dispute, with Didier Leroux saying "We were invited to attend the ceremonies. But I'd like to point out that we come as external observers and I would not like to take sides in the current quarrel between one side or the other."