Legend of Kawelo.

CHAPTER I.

Birth and Early Life of Kawelo.—His Change to Oahu and Fame Attained There.

Maihuna was the father and Malaiakalani was the mother of Kawelo, who was born in Hanamaulu,1 Kauai. There were five children in the family. The first was Kawelomahamahaia; the second was Kaweloleikoo. These two were males; after these two came Kaenakuokalani, a female; next to her was Kaweloleimakua and the last child was Kamalama. Kaweloleimakua, or Kawelo is the subject of this story.

The parents of Malaiakalani [the mother] were people who were well versed in the art of foretelling the future of a child, by feeling of its limbs, and by looking over the child, they could tell whether it would grow up to be brave and strong, or whether it would some day rule as king. At the birth of the two older brothers of Kawelo, these old people examined them, but found nothing wonderful about them. This examination was followed by the two on Kawelo, upon his birth. After the examination the old people called the parents of Kawelo and said to them: “Where are you two? This child of yours is going to be a soldier; he is going to be a very powerful man and shall some day rule as king.” Because of these wonderful traits, the old people took Kawelo and attended to his bringing up themselves. It was after this that Kamalama, the younger brother of Kawelo was born.

Shortly after the birth of Kamalama, the grandparents of Kawelo moved over to Wailua, where they took up their residence, taking their grandchild Kawelo along with them. At this time, while Kawelo was being brought up, Aikanaka, the son of the king of Kauai was born, and also Kauahoa of Hanalei. All these three were born and brought up together.2

Kawelo as a child was a very great eater; he could not satisfy his hunger on anything less than all the food of one umu to a meal. Kawelo ate so much that his grandparents began to get tired of keeping him in food, so at last they began to search for something to entice Kawelo away from the house and in that way get him to forget to eat. One day they went up to the woods and hewed out a canoe. After it was brought down to the sea shore it was rigged up and given to Kawelo. As soon as Kawelo got the canoe he paddled it up and down the Wailua river, and after this it became an object of great interest to him every day.

When Kauahoa saw Kawelo with his canoe day after day enjoying himself, he got it into his mind to make himself something to enjoy himself with; so he made [4]himself a kite, and after it was completed he flew it up. When Kawelo saw the kite he took a liking to it and so went home to his grandparents and requested them to make him a kite.3 The grandparents thereupon made Kawelo a kite and after it was completed he took it out and flew it up. When Kauahoa saw Kawelo with a kite he came with his and they flew them together. While they were flying their kites, Kawelo’s kite became entangled with Kauahoa’s kite which caused Kauahoa’s to break away and it was carried by the wind till it landed at Koloa, to the west. The name of the place where the kite landed is known as Kahooleinapea to this day, because of the fall of Kauahoa’s kite there.

After Kauahoa’s kite was broken away, Kawelo looked at Kauahoa with the belief that surely Kauahoa would come and attack him; but since Kauahoa did not come Kawelo said within himself: “Kauahoa will never overcome me if we should ever meet in any future battle.” Kauahoa was a much larger boy than Kawelo, still he was afraid of him.4

After flying their kites, they went in swimming and riding down the rapids. In this Kawelo again showed himself to be more skilful than Kauahoa, which caused Kawelo to be more sure in his belief that Kauahoa will never overcome him in the future. Kawelo and Kauahoa were not separated from one another in the matter of their relationship; they were connected, and so was the young chief, Aikanaka. He was connected in blood to the two boys, a fact which made Aikanaka something like an older brother and lord to them. Everything Aikanaka wished was granted to him, whether in stringing wreaths, or other things, they never denied him anything.

While Kawelo and his grandparents were living at Wailua with Aikanaka and the others, Kawelo’s older brothers, together with their grandparents, left Kauai and came to live in Waikiki, Oahu. Kakuhihewa was the king of Oahu at this time. There was living with Kakuhihewa, a very strong man who was a famous wrestler. This man used to meet the older brothers of Kawelo in several wrestling bouts but they never could throw him down. The brothers of Kawelo were great surf riders, and they often went to ride the surf at Kalehuawehe.5 After the surf ride they would go to the stream of Apuakehau and wash, and from there they would go to the shed where the wrestling bouts were held and test their skill with Kakuhihewa’s strong man; but in all their trials they never once were able to throw him.

While living separated from each other, the older brothers of Kawelo being in Oahu, their grandparents, who were with Kawelo in Wailua, after a while, began to long for a sight of the other grandchildren, so one day they sailed for Oahu, bringing Kawelo with them, and they landed at Waikiki where they were met by the older brothers of Kawelo. After deciding to make their home in Waikiki, Kawelo took up farming and also took unto himself a wife, Kanewahineikiaoha, the daughter of Kalonaikahailaau, and they lived together as husband and wife.

While Kawelo was one day working in his fields, he heard some shouting down [6]toward the beach, so he inquired of his grandparents: “What is that shouting down yonder?” The grandparents answered: “It is your brothers; they have been out surf riding and are now wrestling with Kakuhihewa’s strong man. One of them must have been thrown, hence the shouting you hear.” When Kawelo heard this he became very anxious to go down and see it; but his grandparents would not consent.6 On the next day, however, Kawelo went down on his own account and saw his older brothers surf riding with many others at Kalehuawehe. He asked for a board which was given him and he swam out with it to where his brothers were waiting for the surf, and they came in together. After the surf riding, they went to the stream of Apuakehau and took a fresh water bath; and from there they went to the shed where the wrestling bouts were to be held. Upon their arrival at the shed Kawelo stood up with the strong man to wrestle. At sight of this Kawelo’s older brothers said to him: “Are you strong enough to meet that man? If we whose bones are older cannot throw him, how much less are the chances of yourself, a mere youngster.” Kawelo, however, paid no heed to the remarks made by his brothers, but stood there facing the strong man. At this show of bravery the strong man said to Kawelo: “If I should call out, ‘Kahewahewa, it is raining’,7 then we begin.” Kawelo then replied in a mocking way: “Kanepuaa, he is biting, wait awhile, wait awhile. Don’t cut the land of Kahewahewa, it is raining.”8 While Kawelo was having his say, the strong man of Kakuhihewa was awarded the privilege of taking the first hold; and using his whole strength he attempted to throw Kawelo. Kawelo was almost thrown, but through his great strength and skill he was not. Kawelo, after mocking the man, took his hold and threw the strong man, who was thrown with Kawelo on top of him. This delighted the people so much that they all shouted.

When the older brothers of Kawelo saw how the strong man was thrown by their younger brother they were ashamed, and they returned home weeping and tried to deceive their grandparents. When they arrived at the house the grandparents asked them: “Why these tears?” They replied: “Kawelo threw stones at us. We are therefore going back to Kauai.” After the brothers of Kawelo had returned to Kauai, Kawelo and his wife and younger brother Kamalama lived on at Waikiki.

Not very long after this Kawelo began to learn dancing, but being unable to master this he dropped it and took up the art of war under the instruction of his father-in-law, Kalonaikahailaau. Kamalama also took up this art as well as Kanewahineikiaoha. After Kawelo had mastered the art of warfare, he took up fishing. Maakuakeke of Waialae was the fishing instructor of Kawelo.

Early in the morning Kawelo would get up and start out from Waikiki going by way of Kaluahole, Kaalawai, and so on to Waialae where he would chant out:

While Kawelo was chanting, Maakuakeke’s wife heard it, so she woke her husband up saying: “Wake up, I never heard your grandparents chant your name so pleasingly as has Kawelo this morning. No, not even your parents. This is the first time that I have heard such a pleasing chant.” Maakuakeke then woke up, made ready everything called out by Kawelo in the chant, went out, boarded the canoe and they set out. As they were going along, Maakuakeke called out to Kawelo in a chant as follows:

“Yes, yes,”9 replied Kawelo.

Maakuakeke then said to Kawelo: “Here is the place that we used to fish; and when the fish were caught we went shoreward, together with the wife and the child.” Kawelo replied: “This is not the fishing ground. The place for fish is at the cape of Kaena.” Kawelo also told Maakuakeke to sit securely in the canoe, lest he might be pitched over. With one stroke of the paddle by Kawelo, they passed outside of Mamala;10 with the second stroke they were at Puuloa;11 and on the third stroke they arrived at Waianae. When they arrived off Waianae, Kawelo picked up the kukui nuts,12 chewed them and then blew it on the sea to calm it, so that the bottom could be seen, as they were fishing for the uhu. They fished from shallow to deep water and caught a number of fishes. On this going out into deep water, Maakuakeke knew that they would come to the place of Uhumakaikai13 (a marvelous fish); therefore Maakuakeke said to Kawelo in chant, as follows:

“I am here, yes, I am here,” responded Kawelo.

Maakuakeke then said: “Let us return, it is late.” They then returned and [10]in a short time they arrived at Waialae. Kawelo then took up two uhus,14 one for Kamalama and one for his wife, Kanewahineikiaoha, and he came on home to Waikiki. Upon his arrival, he entered the Apuakehau stream and had a bath. After his bath, he returned to the house and then called out to his chief steward, Puikikaulehua, for food and meat. The chief steward then brought forty calabashes of poi and forty small packages of baked pork and placed them before Kawelo, who then began his meal. But these were not sufficient, and he again called for some more. The chief steward again brought the same quantity as before,15 which amount satisfied his hunger.

As the sun was nearing the horizon, Kawelo would then call to his wife, Kanewahineikiaoha, as follows:

Kanewahineikiaoha then replied to Kawelo: “How quickly you have gone to Kauai and back again, Kawelo, and seen that your parents are dead!” Kawelo then made reply by chanting:

Kawelo slept that night until daylight, when he again set out for Waialae to his instructor in the art of fishing, Maakuakeke, and they again set out on a fishing cruise.

On this trip they went as far as the Kaena point, at Waianae. Upon arriving at this fishing ground, they immediately began fishing; and in a short time Kawelo got so busy pulling up the uhu that they were overtaken by a rain and wind-storm. When Maakuakeke saw the storm, he urged upon Kawelo to return, for he knew [12]that when the rain and wind are encountered, that it was the sure sign of the coming of Uhumakaikai. Knowing this, he urged upon Kawelo to return, but Kawelo would not consent to it. Kawelo, on the other hand, knew that they were to meet the great fish, Uhumakaikai, so he insisted on looking down at the bottom of the sea and blowing chewed kukui nut over the surface of the sea. While he was busily doing this, Uhumakaikai passed by. When Kawelo saw it, he reached for his net and made ready to catch the great fish. As Uhumakaikai came nearer, he was caught in the net and immediately they were towed out to mid-ocean by this fish. When they looked behind them, they saw that the houses and the line of surf at Waianae had disappeared. At seeing this Maakuakeke called out to Kawelo:

Kawelo answered back: “Yes, I am here, yes.” Maakuakeke said: “Cut away our fish and let us return.” Kawelo replied: “Why should we cut away the fisherman’s opponent?”

The fish in the meantime kept on towing them away until the Kaala mountain disappeared. As the sea was coming in over the sides of the canoe, for they were traveling at a very great rate of speed, Kawelo laid down over the open canoe and in this way kept out the sea from entering it. When next Maakuakeke looked behind, he saw that Oahu had disappeared, and he began to fear death.

The great fish Uhumakaikai did not cease pulling all that day and night until the next morning when, after paddling for some time they came to the west of Niihau and in time passed Manawaikeao; they next passed off Hulaia, Kauai. When they reached there Maakuakeke said to Kawelo: “Say, there is a large land above us. What land is it?” Kawelo replied: “It is Kauai.” Maakuakeke again said to Kawelo: “If after this we should ever come and make war on Kauai and should win, let me have Kapaa as my land.” Kawelo replied: “It shall be yours.” They continued on until they were off Hanalei, when Maakuakeke again inquired: “What land is this?” Kawelo replied: “It is Hanalei.” Maakuakeke again asked: “Let me also own Hanalei.” After this they turned and made for Oahu, and Maakuakeke began to think that they were safe. On nearing the place where Uhumakaikai was caught in the net, Kawelo stood up and prayed as follows:

At the close of the prayer offered by Kawelo, he pulled Uhumakaikai out of the sea; it was dead by his prayer. After Kawelo had caught hold of the great fish, he pulled it along the side of the canoe and it extended from the bow to the stern.

At about this time, when the great fish was dead, a couple of messengers who had been sent to bring Kawelo arrived from Kauai and landed at Waikiki. They had been sent by the sister of Kawelo—they were Kaweloikiakoo18 and Kooakapoko—to bring Kawelo to Kauai, because the great strength of Kawelo had become famous all over Kauai, and it was thought that with this strength a successful war could be waged against Aikanaka, who had taken unto himself all the lands owned by the parents of Kawelo at Hanamaulu. When Aikanaka took possession of the lands, he left them without land to cultivate or sea to fish in; in fact, they were left destitute. Their one food was head lice and nits.

At about the time Uhumakaikai was caught by Kawelo, Kaweloikiakoo and his companion, when they set out from Kauai, brought with them one of Kawelo’s gods, Kulanihehu by name, also four lice apiece as food for their journey. Reaching mid-channel of Kaieiewaho, between Kauai and Oahu, they took up their lice and ate them. In eating their meal, they forgot to offer them first to the god, consequently, shortly after they had finished eating, they were overtaken by a severe storm, which greatly delayed them. Early the next morning, they began to study the cause of this storm, and they found that it was because they had neglected the god when they partook of their evening meal, so they sued for forgiveness by offering the following prayer:

At the close of the prayer, the storm abated and they continued on their way. [16]Early the next day, they saw the top of the Kaala mountain, and they felt assured of their arrival in Oahu. That morning, before the heat of the sun could be felt, they landed at Waikiki. Upon their arrival, they met Kamalama and asked for Kawelo. Kamalama replied: “He has gone out fishing and has been away all of yesterday and all of last night and has not yet returned.” The messengers then said to Kamalama: “We have come for him, for his parents are about to die from starvation, their only food being head lice and nits, for Aikanaka has taken away all their lands in Hanamaulu, all the food and the fish and they are without anything. We have therefore come for Kawelo to go to Kauai.” Kamalama then sent two certain men, Kalohipikonui and Kalohipikoikipuwaawaa, to go for Kawelo. These two were very loud-voiced men; if they called from Waikiki, they could be heard at Ewa; and if they called from Ewa, they could be heard at Waianae. It was because of this that these two men were sent by Kamalama to go for Kawelo. Before they started out, Kamalama instructed them saying: “You two must remember the names of these two men from Kauai, so that in case Kawelo should ask you who they are you would be able to tell him their names. When you see Kawelo, keep at some distance away from him and then inform him of your errand; don’t on any account get near him.”

When the two men started out, their canoe was overturned, and, in righting their canoe and in bailing and paddling it, they forgot the names of the two men from Kauai. When they at last saw Kawelo, they called out: “Say, Kawelo, your uncles have arrived from Kauai.” Kawelo asked: “Who are they?” They replied: “We were told their names, but on our way we were overturned and in righting our canoe, and, in the bailing and paddling of it, we forgot their names. But you know they are your uncles, and you can think for yourself who they are, for we are going back.” At this Kawelo answered by a chant as follows:

The two men then said: “There was nothing like aa in their names; the names sounded differently.” Kawelo then chanted again as follows:

The two men replied: “Yes, you have their names and also the name of your god, Kulanihehu.” Because they spoke of his god, Kawelo became very angry and wanted to kill the two men, in order that they be used as sacrifice for his god. He therefore chased after them, and they were almost caught, when they pointed their canoes and made for the shoals within the line of breakers along the Waianae coast. When Kawelo saw this, he followed right along behind the two. In doing this, Kawelo forgot about his fish and it got stranded, so he made again for deep water. While he was doing this, the two men arrived at Waikiki, where they told of their narrow escape from death. Kamalama then said: “I warned you not to get too near to him.” While they were talking, Kawelo, Maakuakeke and the great fish arrived; and Uhumakaikai was put ashore. As Kawelo landed, Kauluiki, Kaulunui, Kauluwaho, Kaulukauloko, Kauluikialaalaa, Kauluaiole and Kaulupamakani,24 came up all armed with their spears. These men were very skilful in the use of the spear. When they came up to Kawelo, they began throwing their spears at him, which Kawelo warded off, for they were as mere playthings25 to him. When the men were throwing their spears at Kawelo, the messengers from Kauai said to Kawelo: “Say, you will surely get hit and be killed, and you will not be able to get to Kauai.” Kamalama replied: “They are but as a bath to him.”

After this Kaeleha and Kalaumeki came up and threw their spears at Kawelo. After they were through, Kawelo called out to Kamalama in a chant as follows:

Kamalama then picked out Kapuaokekau and Kapuaokahooilo, two spears, and said to Kawelo: [20]

Kamalama then poised himself with firmness and threw a spear at Kawelo. At this throw, the spear struck the breast of Kawelo glancingly, and it flew up and into the sea beyond the further line of breakers. Kamalama then took up the second spear and threw it at Kawelo, when Kawelo chanted forth:

At the close of the spear throwing, Kawelo proceeded to the Apuakehau stream and had his bath; after his bath, he returned to the house and ordered his chief steward, Puikikaulehua to bring him some food and meat. The chief steward then brought him forty calabashes of poi and forty packages of baked pork, and Kawelo began his meal. But this did not satisfy him, so another like amount was brought, which at last satisfied him.

After this meal, Kawelo turned and asked of his two uncles from Kauai: “What has brought you here to Oahu?” The uncles answered: “We have come for you. Your parents have been driven away to a different place, having neither food nor fish. Their one food is head lice and nits. As your strength has been voiced all over Kauai, your parents have sent us to come and request of you to go and make war on Aikanaka. That is the mission that has brought us here. Let us therefore sail.”

After Kawelo had heard the message from the men from Kauai, he called for his wife, Kanewahineikiaoha, to go to their father in Koolau, Kalonaikahailaau, and procure from him a certain stroke26 of the war club. He said: “Go and ask for the stroke called Wahieloa.” Kanewahineikiaoha consented to do this. Kawelo then continued: “Also ask for the bow and arrows that are used for shooting rats, and also bring the axe used for hewing out canoes, for I need them as weapons to fight Aikanaka with.” At the conclusion of Kawelo’s instructions to his wife, she started out. After she had passed by the stream of Apuakehau and the coconut grove of Kuaakaa, Kawelo then said to Kamalama: “Follow after your sister-in-law so that you will be able to hear the unkind remarks of my father-in-law.”27

CHAPTER II.

Relating to Kalonaikahailaau.—Kawelo Equips Himself to Fight Aikanaka.—Arrival at Kauai.

Kalonaikahailaau was the father-in-law of Kawelo, his daughter Kanewahineikiaoha being the wife of Kawelo. Kalonaikahailaau was also Kawelo’s instructor [22]in the art of using the war club as well as the other arts of warfare. Because of the fact that Kalonaikahailaau was living in Koolau, Kawelo ordered his wife to proceed to her father’s place and request that he reveal the use of a certain stroke of the war club, also the bow and arrows used for shooting rats, and the axe used in hewing canoes.

On this journey to Koolau, Kanewahineikiaoha proceeded on ahead while Kamalama followed behind her. She did not see the young man on this outing. They proceeded in this manner to Nuuanu, where they were when the sun sunk below the horizon. Kanewahineikiaoha followed the winding trail down the steep cliff first while Kamalama followed a few moments later. Before she got to the house, she entered the stream and had a bath, while Kamalama hid himself outside of the house, but at a point close enough to overhear anything said in the house. When Kanewahineikiaoha entered the sleeping house, she found that her mother was all by herself, for Kalonaikahailaau was in another house kapued to the women, preparing awa for the gods. When the mother saw her daughter she sprang on her and began to wail, which was heard by the husband, and he sent a man to enquire as to the cause of the wailing. The wife then informed the man that it was their daughter, Kanewahineikiaoha. The man then returned to Kalonaikahailaau and told him that it was their daughter. When he heard this, he concluded his prayers and returned to the main house. When he met his daughter, he asked: “What is the object of my daughter’s journey in this dark night with the ghosts?” The daughter then told the father the object of the journey, saying: “I have come for a certain stroke of the war club, the one called Wahieloa, for my husband and myself, to take with us to Kauai and to use it fighting against Aikanaka.” At hearing this, Kalonaikahailaau chanted as follows:

Kanewahineikiaoha then said: “All of what you have just said is heard by my husband; he will miss nothing.” The father replied: “What good ears he must have; he is in Kona and we are here in Koolau31 and yet he hears everything. How [24]wonderful!” The daughter said: “Nothing is hidden from the all powerful god of my husband, Kalanikilo. He has heard.” The father then again asked: “What other reason is there that has brought my daughter here in the dark with the ghosts of the midnight?” The daughter replied: “I have come for the bow and a few arrows used for rat shooting for myself and husband, for we are going to Kauai to fight Aikanaka.” On hearing this Kalonaikahailaau chanted as follows:

The daughter again replied: “All of what you have just said is heard by my husband; he will miss nothing.” The father said: “If the one conceived by me speaks of the matter, then and only then will he hear of it.” The father then again asked his daughter, being the third time: “What is it that has brought my daughter here?” The daughter replied: “I have come for the axe used for the hewing of canoes, for myself and husband to take with us to Kauai to fight Aikanaka.”

The father then chanted the following:

When the father concluded with his chant, Kanewahineikiaoha said: “All of what you have just said is heard by my husband, there is nothing hid from him.” The father said: “The only way that will make him know is for some one to be standing there outside listening, who will carry it to him.” When the father of Kanewahineikiaoha said this, Kamalama heard it, and he ran off to hide himself. As soon as he was out of sight, people went out of the house to make a search, but Kamalama was not found.

At dawn the next morning, Kamalama returned home, and, when he reached the top of Nuuanu pali, he looked down and saw Kanewahineikiaoha, her father, her brothers and the rest of the people coming up the road. Kamalama then turned and returned to Waikiki. On his arrival on this side of the Apuakehau stream, he was seen by Kawelo who then repeated the chant recited by his father-in-law in Koolau as follows: [26]

At the end of Kawelo’s chant, Kamalama said: “Shut up. Knowing that you can hear so well, yet you sent me to that friendless place.” “I am going in to have something to eat, for I am hungry,” continued Kamalama. As soon as he got into the house, he called out to their steward, Puikikaulehua: “Bring me some food and meat.” There were brought forty large potatoes and forty packages of baked pork. Kamalama then sat down and began his meal, and he ate until he was satisfied. Just as he finished his meal, his brother’s father-in-law and wife arrived. As soon as Kawelo saw them, he repeated the chant recited by his father-in-law in Koolau. At the close of the chant Kanewahineikiaoha said to her father: “There you are: I told you that my husband was bound to hear it, because he has an all powerful god, Kalanikilo.” The father replied: “Yes, I see and I am satisfied that your husband can hear all right. The talking was carried on in Koolau and he has heard it in Kona.” Kanewahineikiaoha then said to Kawelo: “Let us have something to eat first, and after that you can exercise with the war club.” Kawelo refused, and he spoke very strongly to his wife, saying: “The pig’s intestine will be full of dirt for it is to be killed.” By this reply made by Kawelo, his father-in-law became very angry and said to Kawelo that they take up the war club first as requested by Kawelo. He then ordered his son, Mauiakekai to stand up against Kawelo. When Kawelo heard this order issued by his father-in-law that some one else was to stand up against him, he replied in a chant as follows:

By this Kawelo meant that he would much prefer his father-in-law, for his temper was now roused over what had been said of him. Because of this chant of Kawelo, Kalonaikahailaau was also very angry at Kawelo, which made him stand up with his war club, Wahieekaeka by name. The three then stood up on one side, while Kawelo stood up on his side. Kalonaikahailaau then raised his club as though to strike Kawelo on the side, while Kawelo brought up his war club from the ground striking Kalonaikahailaau on his side knocking him down and making his feet tremble. Kawelo then chanted as follows: [28]

Kanewahineikiaoha after a while came and poured some water over Kalonaikahailaau which revived him. After the effects of the blow had disappeared, he said to Kawelo: “That is the way to use your club. You have nothing more to learn.”

Some little time after this, Kawelo sent Kanewahineikiaoha, Kamalama, Kalaumeki and Kauluiki, to go to Puuloa and ask of Kakuhihewa, who was king of Oahu at the time, for the use of a canoe. Upon the arrival of the messengers at Puuloa, Kakuhihewa asked of them: “What do you want?” Kanewahineikiaoha replied: “We have come for a double canoe for us.” Kakuhihewa again asked: “Canoe for what?” “A canoe for Kawelo to go to Kauai to fight Aikanaka.” When Kakuhihewa heard this, he ordered that a double canoe be given Kawelo; for Kakuhihewa even at this time was in fear of Kawelo, who at any time might rise up and overthrow his kingdom; he therefore furnished Kawelo with the means of removing him to Kauai where he would probably stay.

Upon receiving the double canoe, the messengers returned and landed at Waikiki, where preparations for the voyage were immediately begun, completed, and a start was made on that day. As they were about to start, Kou, a second wife of Kawelo’s, urged that she too be allowed to accompany them to Kauai, but Kawelo would not allow it. They then set sail from Waikiki and made their first landing at Waianae, where they built a temple for the gods of Kawelo. After the temple was completed, Kawelo gathered his gods together, they being Kaneikapualena and Kulanihehu. Kawelo then lifted up his gods and placed them on the altar in the temple and prayed as follows:

At the close of the prayer, the chicken feathers on the forehead of the god fluttered; so he chanted: [30]

Kawelo then took up his war club, Kuikaa, and chanted as follows:

At the close of this chant by Kawelo, that evening they set out from Waianae. As they reached a point in the channel of Kaieiewaho, between Kauai and Waianae, Kawelo’s love for Kou, the wife whom he left at Waikiki, began to well up within him, so he chanted as follows:

At the close of this chant Kamalama answered: “You know that you love your wife; why didn’t you remain? I could have made the trip against Aikanaka by myself.” By these words of Kamalama, Kawelo thought that Kamalama must be angry with him, so he chanted these words: “How could I tell that it was going to hurt your feelings?”

On this trip to Kauai, Keolewa35 was seen above the clouds by Kawelo before the others, so he chanted: [32]

At this the uncles from Kauai, Kaweloikiakoo and his companion remarked: “You are deceiving us, Kawelo. Your parents and we two have traveled this ocean from evening till morn and noon, and Keolewa can only be seen as a bird in the sky.” Soon after this the dawn began to break, and Keolewa was then plainly seen by them all to windward, while the hill of Kalanipuu was also seen as though wading in the sea to meet them. When Kawelo’s uncles saw these different objects, they saw that Kawelo was right after all. At this time, they were directly off of Hanamaulu, so the two uncles said to Kawelo in a chant as follows:

“Yes, what is it?” The uncles then said to Kawelo: “Let us land here, see your parents, your older brothers, cook some food and then proceed on to battle.”

Kawelo then chanted a reply as follows:

When Kamalama heard the orders of Kawelo, he pointed the bow of the canoes toward Wailua. They then continued on to Wailua and anchored just below the village. Kawelo then chanted these lines regarding Kamalama:

When Kamalama heard these words from Kawelo, he ordered those on the canoe to eat; so they all partook of food until they were satisfied.

While they were lying off Wailua, the people on the top of the Nounou hill saw them, so the people roused up Aikanaka and told him of the coming of a large double canoe. When Aikanaka saw the canoe, he immediately sent Kaehuikiawakea, his best runner, with the orders: “You go on down and inspect that double canoe. If it is a war canoe, let them come ashore and they can meet Kuahulu and Onionikaua, my chief officers, and they can make war on them. But if the people on the canoe are on a journey to see the land, let them come ashore, where they can meet Kuahulu and Onionikaua, who have food and meat, wearing kapas, loin cloths and house to stop in.” [34]

Kaehuikiawakea then started off running until he arrived at the beach, then he plunged in and swam to the canoe. While he was swimming toward the canoe, he was seen by Kamalama, who chanted to Kawelo as follows:

“What is it, what is it?” asked Kawelo. Kamalama replied: “Here is a man for an offering to our god. Here he is; he is about to come aboard.” Kawelo said: “Is our cousin, Kaehuikiawakea, then to be the person whom you think we ought to take and offer as a sacrifice to our god?”

As soon as Kaehuikiawakea reached the canoe, he climbed aboard and asked: “What are these canoes for?” Kamalama replied: “They are war canoes.” Kaehuikiawakea again inquired: “When you make war, who is your champion?” Kamalama replied: “I am.” The man then asked again: “Where is Kawelo?” “He is in Oahu.” The man again asked: “What is this large bundle on the platform?” “It contains our different things,” answered Kamalama.

Kaehuikiawakea then stood up and felt of the bundle with his feet and remarked about the size of the bundle. After a while, he again asked Kamalama: “How is the fight to begin?” Kamalama replied: “Let us first be allowed to come ashore, then you can lift our canoe ashore. After that we will go and take a bath, then come back and partake of some food; after we are satisfied we will then gird on our loin cloths more tightly and the fight shall then begin.”

Kaehuikiawakea consented to this and said to Kamalama: “We will not get out of breath for such as you, since Kawelo whose strength has been rumored to us has remained behind.” Soon after this, he again said to Kamalama boastingly: “You go back to Oahu; these are not the canoes with which to fight Kauai.”

While this conversation was being carried on between the two on the canoes, the people began to gather on the shore with the two champions, Kuahulu and Onionikaua. The number of men under these two were about eight hundred, not counting the women and children.

As soon as the canoes touched the beach, the Kauai men were anxious to begin the attack, but Kaehuikiawakea stopped them saying: “Don’t fight them now. Let us carry the canoes to the dry sand and then let these people go and have a bath, and when they return, let them partake of some food; when they are satisfied they can then gird on their loin cloths, then after that we can fight them.”36 The men [36]and the two officers agreed to this. The people then waded in and lifted up the canoe onto their shoulders, both on the inside and outside of the canoe with Kawelo, Kamalama as well as all the rest of the people still seated in the canoe. At this time Kawelo quietly asked Kamalama: “Where are we?” Kamalama answered: “We are over the dry sand where some of the prickly grass grows.” Kawelo then said to Kamalama: “You go to my feet.” Kamalama then proceeded to the feet of Kawelo, pulled the end of the rope which held the bundle, and Kawelo was loosened. Kawelo then rose with his war club, Kuikaa. When the people who were following along either side of the canoe saw Kawelo, they called out in a loud voice: “O, you will all be killed! Here is Kawelo standing in the canoe.” When those who were carrying the canoe on their shoulders heard this call, they looked onto the canoe and when they saw Kawelo, they dropped the canoe down, crushing a good many of the people, while some of them were so afraid of Kawelo they were unable to run. Kawelo then looked towards Wailua and saw that the sands were in disorder and were hollowed out in places, leaving little gulches here and there, with the rocks exposed. And when he saw the people like the bending of the surf, he chanted:

At the close of this chant, Kawelo paused awhile and then continued:

[38]

All the people who were not afraid of Kawelo that held their ground were killed by the use of his war club Kuikaa. As one side was killed by Kawelo, the canoe leaned over on that side; Kawelo then swung his club along the other side killing all the men there. In this slaughter, the two officers who were stationed at Wailua were also slain. Kawelo then sent Kamalama and his adopted sons, Kaeleha, Kalaumeki and Kauluiki and his companions, after the fleeing enemy.

CHAPTER III.

Commencement of the Battle Between Kawelo and the People of Kauai.

As soon as Kamalama heard the orders of Kawelo, he immediately set his forces in order of battle in three divisions. Kaeleha and some of Kauluiki’s companions were placed on one side of the war canoe, Kalaumeki with the remainder of Kauluiki’s companions were placed on the other side while Kamalama himself took up the central position. In the battle that followed these preparations, none of Kawelo’s men were killed; but Kauluiki and his companions were so afraid of the warriors of Kauai that they gave up fighting and returned to their canoe. When Kawelo saw them coming, he asked them: “How is the battle?” Kauluiki and his companions answered: “We are beaten. When we left, your younger brother and adopted sons were on the point of being routed by the opposing forces. We have therefore returned to inform you of this and to get our canoe out to sea where we can wait for their return; but if they get killed, we will be ready to return to Oahu.” When Kawelo heard this from Kauluiki and his companions, he stretched out his feet against the mat and pulled the plaiting of the mat down, thus making a slit in the mat and looked through it. When he looked through, he saw the bravery of his brother Kamalama and adopted sons; they were on the point of routing the Kauai forces, and he admired the courage of his [handful of] men. After this he saw Kamalama and his men killing the men on the other side, while the few of the enemy left were running up Nounou hill. On the top of this hill, Aikanaka the king and Kauahoa the great warrior of Kauai had their camp. Kawelo was therefore very anxious lest Kamalama’s forces suffer at the hand of Kauahoa; so he called to him in a chant as follows:

In this chant of Kawelo’s, his three soldiers, Kamalama, Kaeleha and Kalaumeki, heard it, and they returned. Upon their arrival at the place where Kawelo and the others were standing, Kawelo asked them: “How fares the war?” Kamalama replied: “Kuahulu42 and his companion and a good many of their men are dead; what few are left are those that are climbing the hill, Nounou; and Kauahoa, our relative, is the greatest warrior that is left on the hill.” When Kawelo heard his brother’s report, he realized at once that the report given him by Kauluiki and the others was all a lie, and he was therefore satisfied that they were cowards. Therefore he chanted the following lines:

When Kauluiki and the others heard this, they said: “How much better our conditions would have been had we stayed with Kakuhihewa; we would surely have eaten of the cooked taro, while in following Kawelo we get nothing, for the lands will be given to the brave soldiers only, and what will we get?” They then thought of returning to Oahu.

CHAPTER IV.

Relating to Kaehuikiawakea.—Kaihupepenuiamouo and Muno.—Walaheeikio and Moomooikio.

When Kaehuikiawakea saw that their chief warriors in Wailua were slain, he climbed up the Nounou hill and informed Aikanaka of the facts and how most of their men and the two captains were slain. As Kaehuikiawakea was climbing the hill, Kawelo saw him and so called out to Kamalama in a chant as follows:

Kamalama replied: “Yes.” Kawelo then said to him: “Chase after our relative, unloose his loin cloth, scratch his side and let him go.”

When Kamalama heard this, he chased and caught up with Kaehuikiawakea, and then called out: “You are dead! You are dead!! I am going to kill you, Kaehuikiawakea!!!” When Kaehuikiawakea heard this, he was so afraid that he was almost unable to run any more. On his reaching the top of the hill, Kamalama reached out and took his loin cloth, scratched his side and allowed him to go.

When Kaehuikiawakea arrived in the presence of Aikanaka, he fell face down. [44]Aikanaka then asked him: “Speak the word. Open your mouth and speak the word, I am listening.” Kaehuikiawakea then said: “We have all been slain. There are no men left; all are dead.” Aikanaka then asked: “Whose double canoe is it?” “When it was in the sea, we were told that it belonged to Kamalama; but when it landed, the large bundle which we saw on the canoe turned out to be Kawelo.”

KAIHUPEPENUIAMOUO AND MUNO.

These two men were warriors belonging to Aikanaka, and they were on the Nounou hill with him. While Kaehuikiawakea was speaking to Aikanaka, Kaihupepenuiamouo and Muno stood up and proceeded down the hill with their eight hundred men. Upon their arrival at the bottom of the hill, they were met by Kamalama and his men, and, in a very short time, they were all killed with the exception of Kaehuikiawakea, who returned to the top of the hill and again informed Aikanaka of the results, saying, “All the men are slain and I alone am left. That cannot be called a battle; it is like real fire. Whenever Kamalama throws his spear, it will go through about ten men before it stops.”

WALAHEEIKIO AND MOOMOOIKIO.

While Kaehuikiawakea was relating the outcome of the battle to Aikanaka, these two men stood up and after boasting of what they were going to do to Kamalama, they proceeded down the hill with their four hundred men. At the bottom of the hill, they were met by Kamalama, Kaeleha and Kalaumeki when the fighting began. These two men, Walaheeikio and Moomooikio, were very powerful men and were very skilful in the use of the spear. They could hit a grass blade, an ant, a fly and even a flea. In this battle their men in a short time were all slain, and the two were left alone. They however continued on the fight with Kamalama.

In this fight, Kaeleha’s hand was struck by a blow from a club and he withdrew, leaving Kamalama and Kalaumeki to continue the conflict. Soon after Kaeleha withdrew Kamalama also withdrew, and in fact, he narrowly escaped being slain by the two men. When Kawelo saw that Kamalama was almost spent and how Kalaumeki bravely continued with the fight, he chanted as follows:

When Kamalama heard this chant by Kawelo, he became very angry and he returned. When Kanewahineikiaoha saw Kamalama returning, she said to Kawelo: “Say, I think your younger brother is angry with you, for there he is coming back.” When Kawelo saw this, he chanted as follows: [46]

When Kamalama heard this chant from Kawelo, he turned around and retraced his steps until he met Kalaumeki and again resumed fighting. After a short while, Kamalama and companion were routed, and in this way the fighting was carried to the very presence of Kawelo. Upon the arrival of Walaheeikio in the presence of Kawelo, Kawelo chanted as follows:44

Walaheeikio then refused to accept the offer made by Kawelo, saying: “It is not for you to present the warrior with a wife. We are going after you until we kill you; when you shall be offered by Aikanaka upon the altar for a sacrifice. Then the whole of Kauai shall be ours, and we will eat the cooked taro.” Kawelo then chanted as follows:

Walaheeikio replied: “The point of my spear shall not be broken by you; because you stand there as big as the end of a house, this spear will not miss when I throw it at you.” Kawelo then chanted back the following:

When the man heard this, he threw his spear at Kawelo. When Kawelo saw the spear coming, he struck it with his hand making it touch the end of his loin cloth, then it glanced to the earth, missing Kawelo. This so shamed the man that he immediately [48]turned and started to run away. At this attempt on the part of Walaheeikio to escape, Kawelo struck him with his war club, Kuikaa, killing him instantly.

Upon the death of this warrior, Moomooikio came up and took his place. When Kawelo saw him, he chanted as follows:46

[Here the narrative is the same as that of the other warrior, that of Walaheeikio, therefore that part is omitted.]

After the death of Walaheeikio and Moomooikio by Kawelo, Kaehuikiawakea ran off to the top of the Nounou hill and again informed Aikanaka of the death of the two warriors. When Aikanaka heard this, he said: “At last, the cold feeling has entered me, for the house that has sheltered me is broken.”

CHAPTER V.

Relating to Kahakaloa.—His Death by Kawelo.

While Kaehuikiawakea was speaking with Aikanaka, the warrior Kahakaloa, stood up and chanted his boast that Kawelo will never escape him; continuing, he said: “When did Kawelo ever learn the arts of warfare? While he was here living with us before he sailed for Oahu, where he married the daughter of Kalonaikahailaau, he knew nothing about fighting. If the strokes of the war club learned by him are those of his father-in-law, then he will never escape me, because I have fought against his father-in-law and our clubs only tapped one another; he was not killed and I was not killed.” When he finished boasting, he proceeded on down the hill with two hundred men, and when they reached the bottom, the fighting began. Kamalama then slew all the men with the exception of Kahakaloa whom he did not tackle. When Kawelo saw Kahakaloa, he chanted as follows:

Kahakaloa then said to Kawelo: “My name was not given me as a place to hang up calabashes. Kahaka, chief of Kauai, is my name.” Soon after this, they both stood up, Kawelo with his war club, Kuikaa, and Kahakaloa with his war club. They both raised their war clubs together. Kahakaloa swung his war club sideways, hitting Kawelo in the middle, staggering him. Kawelo then raised his club with a [50]swirl from the ground, cutting the small toe, the small finger and the tip of the ear off the same side. Kawelo then fell to the ground and laid there. As Kawelo was lying on the ground, Kaehuikiawakea said to Kahakaloa: “Strike him another blow, so as to kill him, for I see his eyes staring at us.” When Kahakaloa heard this, he answered by chanting the following lines:

Kahakaloa then said to Kaehuikiawakea: “Let us return and partake of some food and when our hunger is satisfied, then I will come down and kill my opponent.”50 The two then returned. Upon their arrival on the top of Nounou hill, Kahakaloa said: “I have downed Kawelo. I have returned to have something to eat, and when I have satisfied my hunger, I will then return and kill my opponent.” When Aikanaka heard this, he ordered his two chief stewards, Kapinaonuianio and Nioiwawalu, to cook51 a chicken for Kahakaloa. When Aikanaka saw that the small toe of one of Kahakaloa’s feet was cut off, he asked: “Why is your small toe cut?” Kahakaloa replied: “Such a thing is bound to be cut off sooner or later, for it sticks out so.” Aikanaka again asked: “And your small finger, what has become of it?” “Such a thing too is bound to be cut off, for it projects out so.” “And your ear?” “That also is bound to be cut off, for it curves out so at the top.”

After the chicken was cooked, Kahakaloa proceeded to have his meal and he ate thereof until he was satisfied. After finishing the food in the calabash, he took the empty calabash and placed it over his head and started on down the hill. When he reached the bottom, Kamalama saw him and so he informed Kawelo of the fact saying: “Here comes a bald-headed man down the hill; his forehead is awfully shiny.” Kawelo then said to Kamalama: “That is not a bald-headed man, it is Kahakaloa. He went on back to have something to eat, and, after finishing the food that was in the calabash, he has taken the calabash and put it on his head. That is the reason it is so shiny.”

Upon the arrival of Kahakaloa in the presence of Kawelo, he discovered that Kawelo was sitting up. Kaehuikiawakea then said to Kahakaloa: “Kawelo has come to life again, therefore you the soldier will be killed. I cannot be killed, for I am a runner.”

When Kawelo saw Kahakaloa approaching, he stood up and prepared for the conflict. Kahakaloa was also preparing himself and stood on the defensive. Kawelo then raised his club and tapped the forehead of Kahakaloa, and forcing the calabash down over his eyes; before Kahakaloa could uncover his eyes, Kawelo again raised his club Kuikaa and struck Kahakaloa, killing him. [52]

After the death of Kahakaloa, Kaehuikiawakea returned to the top of the hill to report to Aikanaka the death of Kahakaloa. Upon his arrival in the presence of Aikanaka, Aikanaka asked him: “Where is Kahakaloa?” “He is dead.” Aikanaka then said: “How could it be possible for a man that was maimed52 as he was to live? I suppose he was allowed to come back so that I could see for myself that it was the king’s pig,53 for his ear was cut off.”

CHAPTER VI.

Relating to Kauahoa.—Kawelo Fears to Attack Him.—Seeks to Win Him by a Chant.—Kauahoa Replies.

Kauahoa was the most noted of Aikanaka’s warriors in size and stature, and it was this warrior that caused the cold perspiration to ooze out of the body of Kawelo and for a moment fear entered his breast, for Kauahoa was indeed good to look upon and was a grand warrior to behold.

When Aikanaka was telling of the death of Kahakaloa by Kawelo, Kauahoa heard it, and he took up his war club, called Kahehumakua, a first growth koa tree from Kahihikolo, and proceeded on down the hill. (It is said that this war club, Kahehumakua, was a very large one, for it was nothing else but a tree with its branches and leaves still on; and when carried by Kauahoa, the birds would perch and sing in it.)

When Kawelo saw Kauahoa coming down the hill and saw how large he was, casting a large shadow because of his great height, he began to have some fear of his chances. When Kauahoa arrived in the presence of Kawelo, Kawelo picked up his club and took his stand by the side of Kanewahineikiaoha, his wife, to the right of Kauahoa; his brother stood to the left of Kauahoa, and his adopted sons stood behind. As Kawelo stood up with his war club, which was ten fathoms in length, the club with one end on the ground only could reach to the middle of Kauahoa, showing that Kauahoa was about twenty fathoms in height.54 In standing thus, Kawelo was almost overcome with fear of Kauahoa, for Kawelo was only educated in two ways of fighting with the war club; the stroke from the ground upwards and the one from above downwards. He was not taught in the side strokes. Therefore, Kawelo began to study how to overcome his opponent, but for a time he was undecided what to do, which made him very uncertain of the outcome. This studying took him some time and gradually his fears began to vanish, as he decided to fight until death ended the battle.

After the fear had disappeared, he began to take pity on his opponent; he remembered of their childhood days and of their lord and king Aikanaka, so he chanted a mele of love, hoping in this way to put the matter of their fighting or not up to Kauahoa. Following is the chant: [54]

As soon as Kanewahineikiaoha heard the order of Kawelo in his chant, to throw up the pikoi, she immediately threw it up, and Kawelo heard the noise of the ball as it entangled in the top of the club. Kawelo then looked up, and, when he saw that the pikoi was tangled, he continued chanting:

Kauahoa replied: “This club will never spare you in the day of battle. You have slain our men so that there are none left; how can you then expect this club to spare you? As it has been your deal, you can see the result; and when it will be my deal, I will see the result.”

In this reply by Kauahoa, Kawelo was filled with a great fear, but when his mind went back to their childhood days and remembered how his kite got tangled up with Kauahoa’s kite and how Kauahoa’s kite broke away, and how Kauahoa was [56]afraid to fight him, he made up his mind that he would again be the master this day;61 so he again chanted to Kauahoa as follows:

CHAPTER VII.

The Size of Kauahoa.—Is Killed by Kawelo in a Club Encounter.—Kawelo Vanquishes Aikanaka.

We will here give a description of Kauahoa, his height and width. His height was eight times five yards, or forty yards, or one hundred and twenty feet. He was also compared to the size of eight streams, and his strength was equal to that number of streams or to eight companies of forty men each, or to three hundred and twenty men.

After Kawelo had chanted to Kauahoa, he looked toward his wife Kanewahineikiaoha and chanted as follows:

At the close of this chant, Kawelo said to his younger brother, Kamalama, and to his adopted sons Kaeleha and Kalaumeki: “Where you see the sun shine, there you must stand, so that when Kauahoa strikes his club, you will not be under it, and [58]in that way escape death.” As soon as this instruction was given, as Kauahoa was raising his club, Kawelo jumped back out of its reach and stood behind Kauahoa, so that the club dropped in front of Kauahoa. Kauahoa then reached down to pick up the club, and, while in a stooping position, Kawelo raised his club and struck Kauahoa a blow, cutting him in two and killing him. As the body was almost severed, Kawelo’s club, Kuikaa, was reluctant [to finish] on account of the bad odor of Kauahoa’s body. Thus was Kauahoa killed, the last of Aikanaka’s great warriors.

At sundown that day, Kawelo said to Kamalama and to the rest of his men: “My wife and I are going to climb the Nounou hill. When you see a fire burning on the hill this night, Kauai is ours.” Kawelo and his wife then climbed the hill until they came to the ladder, where Kawelo chanted as follows:

When Aikanaka heard the chant, he said: “That is Kawelo.” The rest of the people denied this, saying: “He cannot come as he must be weary from the fight of this day; therefore he must be sleeping.” Aikanaka said: “That is Kawelo’s voice that I hear chanting.” While they were disputing over this, Kawelo again chanted as follows:

When Aikanaka heard this, he replied: “There are some people yet left on the hill, their names are:

“These are all the men that are left on the hill,” continued Aikanaka. “Not very many. All the men are dead.” After Aikanaka had told Kawelo of this, he then addressed his priests, fortune-tellers and astrologers: “I must go down and meet Kawelo.”64 Said Aikanaka to the priests: “I thought this land that Kawelo is battling for belonged to him, but [I see] it is not. It is my own; I am above, he is underneath.” The priests then said to Aikanaka: “How can you go and meet Kawelo, for you are a king and he is a servant. His grandfather was nothing but a counter of cockroaches who lived in the uplands of Kulahuhu, Nahanaimoa by name.”

When Kawelo heard the remarks made by the priests, he rolled down the cliff.65 When Kanewahineikiaoha saw Kawelo roll down the cliff, she threw out her pikoi [60]which Kawelo caught hold of. His wife asked him: “What is the matter with you, Kawelo?” Kawelo replied: “I was ashamed for you,66 because they said I was a born servant.” Kanewahineikiaoha then said: “How strange of you! You must first consider whether you are a born servant. Had I not seen you, you would have been killed.” Kawelo then thought for a while, and chanted as follows:

At the end of this chant, Aikanaka said to his priests: “Kawelo says that a chicken is a king.” The priests said to Aikanaka: “You tell Kawelo that chickens are servants.” When Kawelo heard these remarks repeated by Aikanaka, he again chanted as follows:

At the close of this chant, Kawelo heard no more replies from the top of the hill.67 This was because they were afraid of Kawelo, and they had secretly left the hill and had proceeded to the uplands of Hanapepe, at Koula, where Aikanaka took up his residence.

When Kawelo and his wife arrived on the top of the hill, they saw no one, not even Aikanaka the king. Kawelo then lighted a fire68 which was seen by Kamalama and the adopted sons, Kaeleha and Kalaumeki.

CHAPTER VIII.

The Division of the Lands of Kauai.—Aikanaka Becomes a Tiller of Ground.

After the conquest of Kauai by Kawelo, he proceeded to divide the lands equally between his followers and companions in arms.69 He did not act greedily and take all the best lands and the riches that came with the conquest. The following division of Kauai was made by Kawelo, to Kamalama, Kaeleha and Kalaumeki; Koolau to Kalaumeki; Puna to Kaeleha; Kona to Kamalama; the whole of Kauai to Kawelo. [62]

After the conquest of Kauai, Kawelo and his wife Kanewahineikiaoha took up their residence in Hanamaulu.70 Aikanaka on the other hand lived in the uplands of Hanapepe71 and in great poverty. He had no lands, no honors, no food, no meat, no kapas and no home. All that Aikanaka did was to till the ground to raise food for their future use.

While Aikanaka was living there, Kaeleha started out one day from Kapaa, on the east side of Kauai and traveled westward to Hanapepe where Aikanaka was living. It was at Wahiawa that Kaeleha first met Aikanaka, at the home of Ahulua. Aikanaka had come down from Koula to Wahiawa to fish and to take a swim in the sea. When Aikanaka saw Kaeleha, he called him in and set food and meat before him and Kawelowai, his daughter.72 After partaking of Aikanaka’s hospitality, Kaeleha was ashamed, because he had nothing to repay Aikanaka for his kindness. When Kaeleha left Aikanaka and continued on his journey, this thing dwelt on his mind for several days.

After reaching Mana and he had decorated himself with the pahapaha73 wreath of Polihale,74 he retraced his steps and again lingered at Wahiawa. On this return, he did not call in to see Kamalama, for the reason that he was anxious to get back and to again look upon Kawelowai. So in returning, he and Aikanaka went up to Koula in the uplands of Hanapepe, where Aikanaka made his residence. In this return to Koula, Kaeleha made a long visit and was therefore, to his idea, greatly indebted to his father-in-law, Aikanaka.

CHAPTER IX.

Kaeleha and Aikanaka Rebel Against Kawelo.—Their Battle and Supposed Death of Kawelo.

When Kaeleha saw how Aikanaka his father-in-law toiled by day and by night, he took pity on him and asked Aikanaka: “Are there many people who still think of you as king75 and who would help you in case you started an uprising?”76 Aikanaka replied: “Yes, many.”77 When Kaeleha heard this, he said: “I will tell you how you can beat Kawelo and how to fight him that you might win. If you fight him with stones, you will beat him, for Kawelo was never taught the art of avoiding stones thrown at him.” When Aikanaka heard this, he again entertained the idea of taking up another fight against Kawelo. He then made the boasting remark: “My bones are saved by my son-in-law.” [64]

The cause of the uprising then was because Kaeleha was ashamed on account of his father-in-law for not having anything with which to repay his great kindness. In this we can see how ungratefully Kaeleha acted toward Kawelo, and how he lacked all sense of honor and good feeling toward the one who had brought him up to his present high station and esteem, a chief of one of the districts of Kauai.

After the above conversation had taken place between Kaeleha and Aikanaka, rumors of an uprising were carried to Kawelo at Hanamaulu, on the east of Kauai. Kawelo thereupon sent a messenger to Kamalama in Kona with instructions to go and see,78 and to find out for himself as to the truth of these rumors that had come to him. As soon as the messenger arrived in the presence of Kamalama, the message of his brother, Kawelo, was repeated to him. When Kamalama heard the instructions, he proceeded to Waimea, then on to Hanapepe and Wahiawa. When he reached Wahiawa, he saw a great number of people on the plain of Kalae gathering stones; men and women and children. While Kamalama was standing looking at the people, a man came up to him, so he asked: “What are the people doing over there on the plain?” The man replied: “They are gathering stones.” “Stones for what?” asked Kamalama. “For Kaeleha and Aikanaka to fight Kawelo.” Kamalama was thus made sure that the rumors heard by Kawelo were only too true. He then retraced his steps and went direct to his home and dispatched a messenger to Kawelo to inform him of what he had seen.

Upon the arrival of the messenger in the presence of Kawelo at Hanamaulu, he told him how Kaeleha and Aikanaka were making preparations, by gathering stones, for another conflict. When Kawelo heard this, a great anger welled up in him against his son, Kaeleha. He then immediately rose and proceeded to Wahiawa, which lies on the other side from Hanamaulu. When he arrived at Wahiawa, he saw several war canoes belonging to Kaeleha and Aikanaka, just back of the great mounds of stones. On the sides of the mounds of stones, he saw women and children with stones in their hands, and all were apparently ready for the conflict. All Kawelo had in his hands were his war club, Kuikaa, and his wife’s pikoi, two weapons to defend himself with.

THE BATTLE BETWEEN KAWELO, AND KAELEHA AND AIKANAKA.

In this battle we will see how brave and powerful Kawelo really was, because, although he was all by himself, he fought against the multitude that opposed him. In the fight, Kawelo was not able to dodge the stones that were hurled at him, for a great many of them were thrown at the same time, therefore he stood in one place while the stones were hitting him from all sides. In course of time, Kawelo was completely covered by the stones, the stones rising until his height was reached. When Kawelo saw this, he pushed the stones from off him and for a time he would be free; but this was only for a very short while, for the stones would come so fast that again he would be covered. This was continued until Kawelo began to grow weaker and weaker, so that finally he was unable to push the stones away from him. After a while the mound [66]of stones over Kawelo grew higher and higher, when at last nothing else could be seen but a great mound of stones which was like a grave for Kawelo.

When the people saw that Kawelo was entirely covered over with stones, they believed that they had killed him, for they were sure that none could live in such a hail of stones as was cast at Kawelo. The people then ceased throwing and they came and took the stones from off of Kawelo. After a while he was found all bruised from head to feet and, to all appearances, lifeless. They then took up his body and began to beat it with clubs, after which they leaned over him and listened to see if he was alive or dead. After a while they made sure that Kawelo was indeed dead, and they proclaimed that Aikanaka was the king of Kauai.

In this battle and the subsequent beating with clubs, it turned out strange that after all Kawelo was not really killed. It seemed that he still had a little spark of life within him, and in course of time he came to life again. But this was not known; consequently, his enemies were prevented from killing him outright. Kawelo was aware that, if he showed any signs of life when they examined him, he would be killed, so he pretended to be dead.

CHAPTER X.

The Temple of Aikanaka.—How Kawelo Came to Life Again.—He Slaughters His Opponents and Becomes Again Ruler of Kauai.

This temple of Aikanaka’s was made by him as a place to offer sacrifices in, such as human beings, pigs, bananas, fish, awa and other things. Aikanaka therefore had this temple built for his gods, at Maulili, Koloa,79 and this place can be seen to this day. But since its completion no human sacrifice had been offered upon its altar. Kawelo was therefore carried from Wahiawa to Koloa.80 The distance from Wahiawa to Koloa is something like the distance between Honolulu and Luakaha, about six miles. When Kawelo’s body was at last brought to the temple, it was carried and left within the enclosure that stood inside of the temple, near the altar, with the idea of leaving it there over night, before placing it on the altar the next day, for the shades of night were already falling. Kawelo was therefore left in the enclosure, covered over with banana leaves.

After remaining in a deep sleep as it were for some time, Kawelo woke up and felt that he was greatly relieved from his bruises. He also felt that his strength had returned to him, and gradually he realized that he was at last saved from a terrible death. He then planned how he was to deal out his vengeance to all his enemies and particularly his son Kaeleha and Aikanaka.

HOW KAWELO CAME TO LIFE AGAIN.

We will here see how Kawelo came to life again and how he overcame his enemies. In the night when Kawelo was lying covered up with banana leaves, at about midnight, [68]at the time when the Milky Way turns, Kawelo felt his strength returning to him and his bruises became less painful. He therefore rose and walked back and forth, impatiently waiting for the coming of day, when he expected to see Aikanaka and Kaeleha and the others enter the temple. Where Aikanaka and his followers had gone to spend the night was at a place some distance away, but before leaving he had placed a guard over Kawelo. This guard was a close friend of Kawelo’s. When Kawelo rose, the man saw that he was come back to life again, so he asked: “Is that you?” Kawelo answered: “Yes, it is I.” Kawelo then asked the guard: “Where are Aikanaka and his followers?” The guard replied: “They have retired for the night.” Kawelo again asked: “Are they not coming back again?” The guard replied: “They are coming back here in the morning.”

Kawelo then said to the guard: “Let us sit up for a while before I retire. After I lay down, cover me up again with the banana leaves just as before until daylight. I want you to watch the people as they come into the temple. When you see that all have entered, come and wake me and I shall then slay them all.”

After imparting these instructions to the guard, Kawelo retired and the guard proceeded to cover him up with the banana leaves, from head to foot. On being again covered up Kawelo did not go to sleep, nor was he in any way unwatchful, in fact, he was very vigilant and was very anxious to meet his enemies, when he would mete out death to them. Kawelo became very restless and anxious for daylight to come, that he might set eyes on Aikanaka and the others.

Early that morning Kawelo waited for the coming of Aikanaka and his followers, but the people were slow in making their appearance. It was about noon before Aikanaka and his followers appeared. When the guard saw that Aikanaka, Kaeleha, the chiefs, the warriors and the people, men, women and children, had all come into the temple enclosure, he approached the side of Kawelo and whispered to him, saying:

[70]

When Kawelo heard the call of the guard, he hastily threw off the banana leaves from his body. While Kawelo was doing this, the guard again called out to the people that had come in:

When the people heard the guard calling out, they all turned and looked at Kawelo.81 When they saw him, they all became possessed of a great fear, and preparations for a battle with Kawelo were hastily made. As Kawelo approached the people, he chanted to Aikanaka and Kaeleha as follows:

Kawelo then ceased chanting and began the slaughter, killing every one; none escaped.83 Kauai therefore once more came under the rule of Kawelo, and he again assumed the reins of power. He then returned to Hanamaulu where he lived with his parents and his wife.

Here endeth the famous legend of Kawelo, except some perhaps in the minds of the people. [3]

Story of Pakaa.

Pakaa was the servant of Keawenuiaumi,1 the king of Hawaii, and was a very great favorite with his master. It was his duty to have the supervision of the lands and household servants of the king. It was also his duty to have in his keeping all of the king’s personal effects; the kapas, the food, the meat and fish, the malos, the feather kahilis, awa bowls,2 awa cups, awa, the calabash containing ointment and all the different things belonging to the comfort of Keawenuiaumi.

Because of the great care exercised by Pakaa in the supervision of the things belonging to the king, he was raised to the highest office in the king’s household and he became a greater favorite than all the chiefs and men under the king. In time the king gave Pakaa several pieces of land in the six different districts of Hawaii for his own use.

To Pakaa was also given the management and sailing of the king’s double canoe; it was his to command and to declare whether or not it was too rough to go out; in fact Pakaa had the entire command of the king’s canoe, whatever he said the king would obey. Lapakahoe was the name given to Pakaa’s paddle, which was the only one used by him while guiding the king’s canoe. Laamaomao3 was the name of the calabash of wind belonging to Pakaa; it was a real calabash [gourd] entirely covered over with wicker work, plaited like a basket, and it was named in honor of the mother of Pakaa. In this calabash were kept the bones of his mother, Laamaomao. This calabash was given the name of “the wind calabash of Laamaomao” because during the life time of Laamaomao, the winds obeyed her every call and command.

RELATING TO HOOKELEIHILO AND HOOKELEIPUNA.

These two were new men taken up by Keawenuiaumi, whereby Pakaa was disrated by the king and in time all the powers and privileges that were formerly Pakaa’s were taken out of his hands and given over to these two men, Hookeleihilo and Hookeleipuna, except the personal effects of the king; these the king left with Pakaa. Because of this want of faith in him, Pakaa left the presence of the king and wandered off heavy hearted and in great grief over the actions of the king, for he did not want to be ordered about by anyone. In this departure of Pakaa he took with him the kapas, malos and all the personal effects of Keawenuiaumi and placed them within his calabash, Laamaomao. He [74]also took with him his paddle, called Lapakahoe, so named in honor of his younger brother, Lapakahoe.

When Pakaa was about to leave, he said to his younger brother, who was a chief in possession over certain lands in the district of Hilo: “Our master somehow is displeased with me and has taken back everything I once owned, leaving me only a few pieces of land, which I suppose he will take away by and by. Since I am going away I want you to live on your lands; but be faithful to our master. I am going away now, but am not certain where I shall locate.”

With these words, he boarded his canoe and set out, going by way of Lele, Maui; then on until he came to Molokai; on the Kona side of that island, overlooking Lanai, where Pakaa made his home, and took unto himself a wife, a chiefess, belonging to the land. In time his wife bore him a boy and he gave the child the name of Kuapakaa.4 The meaning of the name is this: “the cracked skin,” given because the skin of Keawenuiaumi was cracked by the constant use of the awa, so much so that the flesh was exposed in places.

After Kuapakaa had grown up to the age when he could talk and think, Pakaa said to him: “I want to teach you the meles relating to your master and also the general knowledge of all things; for it is possible that in time he will miss me and will come to make a search; if he does I want you to be in a position of readiness to meet him.” The course of instruction did not take many days, for Kuapakaa was a bright boy and everything was mastered in a way that gave him a thorough knowledge of the different subjects.

A short time after this a canoe came in from Hilo and word was brought that Keawenuiaumi was beginning to feel keenly the loss of Pakaa. Pakaa during the recital of this piece of news did not tell the Hilo man that he was Pakaa himself.

After the information had been imparted to Pakaa he dreamed a dream in which his spirit met the spirit of Keawenuiaumi. In this meeting the spirit of Keawenuiaumi said to his spirit: “I am coming in search of you.” The spirit of Pakaa answered: “I am living on Kaula.”5 Keawenuiaumi also dreamed the same dream and on receiving the reply from Pakaa, jumped out of his bed and immediately requested of the six district chiefs of Hawaii to get their canoes ready and to summon their attendants; for he wished them to accompany him in his search for Pakaa, for he had at last realized the utter lack of knowledge, in most cases of Hookeleihilo and Hookeleipuna,6 the men that took the place of Pakaa.

Pakaa awoke from his sleep and said to his son: “Let us go to the uplands and do our farm work.” The boy consented and the two started up. Their fields were six in number and the food planted was sweet potatoes. Each field was shaped after each of the six districts of Hawaii. [76]

When the preparations were finally completed and Keawenuiaumi was ready to make the start, Pakaa again dreamed a dream wherein his spirit again met the spirit of Keawenuiaumi, which said to him: “In the days of Ku,7 I will set out on my search for you.” Pakaa awoke with a start and said to his son: “Let us go to the uplands for palm leaves.” With this the two proceeded to the uplands and cut down a large number of palm leaves and much time was spent by them in bringing the leaves to the beach and a whole house was filled with them. The leaves were to be used in the rainy days of Ku.

In the Ku days, Pakaa and his son boarded their canoe and set out to sea to await the coming of Keawenuiaumi. Pakaa sat in the front seat of their canoe, while the boy took the hind seat. The two took up uhu8 fishing as the kind to be engaged in, Pakaa thinking this the best kind of fishing in order to prevent him from being discovered, for one has to keep on looking down when fishing for uhu. On this trip they took the wind calabash, Laamaomao. As soon as they arrived out at sea the canoes in the advance of the expedition were seen to be approaching. [73]

Legend of Kuapakaa.

CHAPTER I.

Kuapakaa was the own son of Pakaa, born to him while living in Molokai, of his wife, a high chiefess. The name of Kuapakaa was given to the boy after the father. As the boy grew up the father educated him in all the things pertaining to the office of an immediate servant under the king; and also in the different branches of learning of those days until his education was complete. After Kuapakaa had been educated in these things, they went to the shore to await the coming of Keawenuiaumi in his search of Pakaa.

In the trip out [to meet Keawenuiaumi], Pakaa’s paddle, Lapakahoe,1 was taken by Kuapakaa, who took the important seat, the one in the stern, while Pakaa took the front seat. When they saw the canoes coming, Pakaa kept his eyes down, making believe that he was looking for uhu,2 with his long hair let down over his eyes. They were in this position when the canoes came along; some with two men, some with three men and so on; some bearing the food and stewards, some the commanding officers, some the women and some the warriors.

When the canoes were approaching them, Kuapakaa asked of his father, Pakaa: “Where is the canoe containing my master?” Pakaa replied: “When the rays of the sun make their appearance, then the canoe bearing your master will come. The signs by which you will know his canoe are these: The sail is doubled down, so that his god could be seen, Kaili3 by name, standing at its place. You will also see a high compartment in front in the middle of the raised platform; there your master sits; the sailing masters are directly behind him.”

While the two were conversing, the canoe of Keawenuiaumi was seen approaching with its sides glittering, being struck by the sun’s rays while the paddles of the rowers were bathed in light. When Kuapakaa saw the signs as described by his father, he said: “Here comes my master.” “Whereabouts?” “On the outside of us.” Pakaa said, “Hold up your paddle.”4 When this was done, Lapakahoe who was standing up in the king’s canoe saw it and so reported to the king, saying: “Say, there is a small canoe floating there inside of us; some one is holding up a paddle.” Keawenuiaumi then said to the sailing masters: “Point the bow of the canoe for the small canoe; possibly it has [80]a word for us.” The reason why the king said this was because while Pakaa had command of his canoe, it was his custom to make a call on any canoe that made signals of this kind; hence the king being accustomed with this, ordered that the canoe be directed for the small one. When the king’s canoe drew near, Pakaa asked of his son: “Where is the canoe of your master?” The boy replied: “It is here near us.” “Then question your master as to his reason of being here,” said Pakaa. Kuapakaa then called out:

“To Keawenuiaumi belongs the canoe.” The boy again asked: “A canoe and where is it going to?” “It is a canoe going in search of Pakaa.” “Search for Pakaa, what is Pakaa?” “A servant.” At this Kuapakaa turned and said to his father: “I thought you were a chief. I see that you are a servant. Well, what of that any way? Supposing you are a servant. I am a chief on my mother’s side and shall continue to be so as long as I live in Molokai.” Pakaa said to the boy: “Ask them again if he is a real servant.” Kuapakaa therefore asked: “Is he a real servant?” “No, he is not a real servant, but a backbone,5 a holder of the kahili and bearer of the king’s calabash of ointment.”6 By this answer the boy was satisfied that his father was, after all, of chiefly grade; so he said to his father: “Your rank as a chief and my mother’s position as a chiefess, make me a chief of some importance and I shall live as such, here in Molokai.”

The chiefs under Keawenuiaumi, they being the six district chiefs, were the first to come by. Before Kuapakaa spoke to the canoe of Keawenuiaumi, he first called each of the six chiefs by name, in their order, for Pakaa had already instructed his son in everything pertaining to them.

Wahilani’s was the first canoe, it being a beautifully made double one; Kuapakaa asked his father as to its owner. The father answered: “That is the canoe of Wahilani, the district chief of Kohala.” Kuapakaa then chanted:7

[82]

By these words of the boy, Wahilani was made very angry and so he made reply: “When did you ever know that, you deceitful boy?” With this Wahilani set off.

The second canoe was Ehu’s. Another beautiful double canoe came along, the one belonging to Ehu, the chief of Kona. On the approach of this canoe, Kuapakaa asked of his father: “Whose canoe is that?” “It is the canoe of Ehu, the chief of Kona.” Kuapakaa then chanted out:

Because of this chant of Kuapakaa, Ehu became angry and said: “You are the most conceited boy I know of. Where did you ever know of me?” With this he sailed off in a rage.

The third canoe was Huaa’s. As this canoe approached Kuapakaa asked of his father: “Whose canoe is this?” “It is the canoe of Huaa, the chief of Kau.” Kuapakaa then chanted as follows:

This angered Huaa and he too sailed off.

The fourth was the canoe of Hikinaakala. Another canoe approached, and the boy asked of Pakaa, and was told that it was the chief of Puna, Hikinaakala.8 Kuapakaa then chanted:

This angered Hikinaakala and he sailed away.

The fifth canoe was that of Kulukulua. As it approached Kuapakaa again inquired of his father: “Whose canoe is this?” “That is the canoe of Kulukulua,9 the chief of Hilo.” Kuapakaa then chanted as follows: [84]

This angered Kulukulua and he sailed off.

The sixth was the canoe of Wanua. Upon its approach the boy asked of Pakaa as to its owner, and Pakaa replied: “It is Wanua, the chief of Hamakua.”

This chief also became angry and sailed off.

These chiefs all went on, and all angry with the boy, because he had told them that they were not chiefs by birth, and also for telling the faults relating to their respective districts.

(We will now take up the facts relating to the canoe of Keawenuiaumi, aforementioned, which the narrator said should be inserted later, and was therefore out of place; care, however, should be taken in its perusal by which it may be plainly seen that the six canoes bearing the district chiefs were the first to meet the canoe of Kuapakaa.)

It was Lapakahoe,10 the younger brother of Pakaa, that replied to the question, that it was the canoe of Keawenuiaumi. At this reply Kuapakaa chanted as follows:11

Kuapakaa then chanted of the storm:

Keawenuiaumi then inquired of his sailing masters, the priest and the prophet, as to their conclusion, in the matter of the coming storm, and to see if the predictions made by the boy were to come true, for the king was afraid. These men all assured the king that the words of the boy were void of the truth and were entirely false. By this assurance the king’s fear disappeared and he gave way to their advice, therefore the boy again chanted:

Again Keawenuiaumi inquired of his canoe men as well as of the others, saying: “How about us? Shall we land as requested by the boy, for he says, if we continue we will return to Hawaii in spirit?” The sailing masters replied: “Who is going to land on such a fine day?” [90]

At this, Lapakahoe asked of the boy: “Who gave you such knowledge?” The boy replied: “Such learning is common with the small boys of this land of Molokai.”15 Lapakahoe said: “Such knowledge was not imparted to you from any one else, not even by Kahikiokamoku,16 the king’s favorite friend; there are only two of us who have acquired such knowledge, myself and my elder brother,17 Pakaa. We composed those lines in honor of our master Keawenuiaumi.” Lapakahoe then asked of the boy: “If you know the whereabouts of Pakaa above here, you must tell us.” “There is no such man here, but we have heard that he is living on Kaula” [replied the boy]. This ended Lapakahoe’s remarks and he thought that the information given by Keawenuiaumi, relating to Pakaa as living on Kaula, was the truth after all. This information was given in a dream.

The sailing masters then called out to the paddlers, those in front and in the rear, to go ahead; but Lapakahoe countermanded the order, for he was interested in the boy. When Pakaa saw that the canoe was preparing to leave, he requested the boy to continue chanting.

Upon hearing this, Keawenuiaumi asked of his canoe men: “What about the words of the boy?” “He is a deceiving boy; there is no storm. Where are the clouds? Where are the pointed clouds? Where is the rain? Where is the wind? Where is the lightning? Where is the thunder, whereby we would know that the boy is telling the truth? This day will land us in Kaula and you shall see your servant Pakaa.”

CHAPTER II.

Kuapakaa said to his father: “The men are advising the king to go on.” Pakaa said to the boy: “Call out for the winds of Hawaii.”18

When Keawenuiaumi heard this, he became angry with the boy; because the boy was calling for the winds. He then ordered his men to paddle on. When Kuapakaa heard the order he said to Pakaa his father: “The king is sailing off.” Pakaa replied: “Call for the winds of Kauai and Niihau.”

These were the names of the winds of Kauai, as called out by the boy, and they are known by these names to this day.

As soon as Kuapakaa ceased calling for the winds, a great roar was heard, like the coming of a mighty storm, by the people in the canoe of Keawenuiaumi. At the roar of the coming storm, Pakaa said to the boy: “You made a mistake in first calling for the winds of Kauai and Niihau. You see you had called for the winds of Hawaii, those in the east; you should have followed with the wind of Kaula, the wind in the west.” Kuapakaa then called for the wind of Kaula: [98]

In this call of Kuapakaa for the wind of Kaula, Keawenuiaumi, said: “You have indeed chanted well, boy; but in thus calling for the wind, you committed a grave mistake.”

Keawenuiaumi then gave orders to his canoe men and sailing masters to paddle ahead. The people from the rear to those in the middle of the canoe, then dipped down their paddles; but those in front, did not dip theirs for Lapakahoe refused to continue the voyage as he was greatly interested with the boy’s chant. When the men in the stern and in the middle started to paddle, Lapakahoe called out to those in front: “Kuia, Lou, Kipukohola, backwater with the paddles, to hold back the canoe so as not to allow it to go ahead.” By doing this the sound of the moving pebbles and the sand down below was heard and the double canoe was held back as though held by an anchor.

When Kuapakaa saw that the double canoe was being held back and saw also the anger shown in the face of Keawenuiaumi, he turned and reported it to Pakaa. When Pakaa heard this, he said to the boy: “Call again.” (This was in the style of a chant.)19 Kuapakaa therefore called forth:

After the boy had chanted this, Pakaa said to him: “Call for the winds of Maui and Molokai.”

A word of explanation. Halawa is the place which excels in the variety of winds given here, therefore the reader will do well to consider them clearly. [102]

In following this list of names of the different winds of Molokai, we again take up the winds for the rest of Molokai, after the winds of Halawa.

[104]

While chanting the last lines, Lapakahoe said: “The boy is deceiving us.” Lapakahoe then turned to Kuapakaa and said: “Your chant was indeed good, but you are deceiving us, for Pakaa is not ashore, yet you ask us to land.” After making this remark, Lapakahoe ordered the men in front and behind to paddle away. The order was also given the sailing masters. When they were starting off, Kuapakaa said to his father: “My master is off.” Pakaa replied: “Chant the name of your master.”

Pakaa then said to his son Kuapakaa: “Lapakahoe is my younger brother, he is your uncle.” The boy then called out each of the men of Keawenuiaumi by name, thinking this would induce them to land. The boy called as follows:

After Kuapakaa had called out the names of the men who sat singly, he then called out those who sat two27 in a seat:

While Kuapakaa was calling the names of the men, the double canoe of the king, Keawenuiaumi, gradually drew away from their sight. When the double canoe was away off, so that it appeared but a mere speck, Pakaa said to the boy: “Uncover the wind calabash, Laamaomao.” Kuapakaa then uncovered the wind calabash and the storm in all its fury came up. The front canoes were caught by the waves and wind from the Kalaau point; being those that contained the chiefs and the men. When the large canoes saw that the small canoes were swamped, the large ones went to their rescue, but they too were swamped. The waves became larger and larger and they beat from all sides. The wind and the storm swept along until the canoe of Keawenuiaumi was met and it too was swamped. Keawenuiaumi then said to the priest, the prophet and the sailing masters: “How strange this is! The boy’s every word has [108]come true. When the boy said this was a stormy day, you all contradicted him, saying this was a pleasant day; but here we are nigh unto death. I questioned you several times about the matter, to make sure that you were right; but you all denied it.”

CHAPTER III.

The double canoe of Keawenuiaumi was swamped as well as all the others, not one was saved. The people suffered a terrible cold and many of their things were lost; the food, the fish and meat, their apparel and everything else. At this, the king wept in his agony and suffered severely from cold, he then said: “This is the very reason why I am in search of my servant Pakaa, because you are not equal to the occasion; you are without knowledge and do not know how to tell the future. My buttocks were never wet when Pakaa was my sailing master; but since I have taken you, they have become wet.”

When Pakaa saw that the wind and the storm was in its fury, he said to the boy: “Cover up the wind calabash, for your master may perish, as he is indeed cold.” Kuapakaa then placed the cover on the calabash, Laamaomao, and the calm came immediately and the canoes of the king were saved.

After the canoes had been righted, the king gave his orders to all the canoes, saying: “Let us return, perchance the boy’s canoe is still floating where we left it. Should he invite us to land we must obey.”

After giving his orders the several canoes turned about and all returned, without maintaining their order, for each was anxious to get to the place where Kuapakaa was floating. In this return, the canoe of Keawenuiaumi being the swiftest, was the first to arrive at the place where Kuapakaa was waiting, while the others were strung out behind.

When Kuapakaa saw the king’s canoe, he said to Pakaa: “Here comes the double canoe of my master, Keawenuiaumi.” Pakaa said to the boy: “When your master arrives and should show a willingness to land, say to him that you wish to go in ahead a little ways and wait for him, for the passage way is crooked.” By this Pakaa was anxious to keep the canoe of Keawenuiaumi behind them, for his men being stronger, they would be able to get to the landing first and in that way Pakaa would be recognized, so Pakaa thought out a way to get out of the difficulty, and made believe that the way in was crooked. As the canoe of Keawenuiaumi was drawing near, Kuapakaa again chanted, saying:

Keawenuiaumi made reply: “Yes, I will come ashore for your very words have come true. I was willing to land, but these fellows were so learned. I thought they were indeed learned, but I have found that they are not.” Kuapakaa said: “There, you have faced disaster. Come ashore at the boy’s landing.” The king then expressed his willingness to land. Kuapakaa then said to the king: “Say, listen to me; we will go in first and when I beckon to you, you may come, because the passage way is crooked, and furthermore the proper time for making a landing is past. Had you consented to make land at my first invitation, we would have had no trouble; for at that time the tide was low and the coral exposed; but now the tide is high, so that the coral is covered deep, and we will miss our bearings if we go in together.” To this, Keawenuiaumi gave his consent, saying: “That is well.”

Pakaa and his son therefore entered the passageway first, and when they stopped they beckoned to the king’s canoe as well as the others to come in. This zigzag was continued until they were almost in, when Pakaa said to the boy: “Say, let us paddle in; you must exert all your strength, that we may land before the others.” With this the two worked with all their might and made land before the others. Pakaa then jumped ashore and ran into the house reserved for the preparation of food, thinking that in this house he would be safe, for such houses were never entered by kings. When Pakaa jumped from the canoe, Lapakahoe saw and thought he recognized Pakaa by the limp he made while running, for his legs had been injured; but he was not certain, believing that Pakaa was in Kaula.

Late that afternoon, all the canoes made land, including the canoe of Keawenuiaumi, who still sat on the platform and had not come ashore, for the reason that he did not have any clothes, and no loin cloth, all having been wet and the spare ones had all been lost at sea. When Kuapakaa saw his master sitting there naked on the canoe, he returned to the house and told his father of what he had seen. When Pakaa heard this, he took out a loin cloth and gave it to Kuapakaa, saying to the boy: “You take [112]this loin cloth and give it to your master, and the loin cloth that is wet, you bring it here, for you are privileged to wear his loin cloth and he yours.”29

Kuapakaa therefore took up the loin cloth and returned to Keawenuiaumi. When he came to the king’s presence he said: “Here is my loin cloth, you can use it and let me take your wet one.” Keawenuiaumi reached out for the loin cloth and looked at it, and saw that it looked like his own, the kind he used to wear when Pakaa had charge. At seeing this, Keawenuiaumi said: “Say, this loin cloth looks just like my own.” Kuapakaa replied: “This is my own loin cloth, but you being the king, I give it to you.” Kuapakaa then took the wet one and returned to Pakaa, who said to him: “Hang up your master’s loin cloth over the door way, so that the people will not try to enter this house. You can enter it and can go out, because all the sacred things belonging to your master are free to you. When the king’s stewards come for food you can hand it to them from the inside of this house, while they stand outside.” This was cunning of Pakaa.30

When Kuapakaa looked and saw that Keawenuiaumi was sitting without any covering, he took pity on him and so told Pakaa about it. When Pakaa heard this he took out a kapa from the wind calabash, Laamaomao and handed it to Kuapakaa, saying: “You take this and give it to your master. If he should say that it looks like his, you tell him, that this is your own kapa made by your mother.” The name given to such kapas was “ouholowai of Laa.”31 They were very sweet, having been scented with the fragrant shrubs and vines of Laa and Puna, called the olapa, the kupaoa, the mokihana, the apiipii and others.

When Kuapakaa came to the presence of the king with the kapa and handed it to Keawenuiaumi, Keawenuiaumi took it and spread it out. As he did this he caught the sweet scent of the olapa. He then inquired of the boy: “Where did you get this kapa?” The boy replied: “It belongs here in Molokai.” Keawenuiaumi said: “There are no kapas in other places like those of Hawaii; and they are not common with other chiefs. I am the only one who possesses such things. I believe this is my kapa. It must be that Pakaa is here.” “It was my mother that made this kapa for my own use, for my mother is a chiefess of Molokai and kapas are scented on this island, and it has been kept for my own use. The name given my kapa is wailau.32 That is the best and most fragrant kapa in this place, like what you call the ouholowai of Laa; they smell the same.” This satisfied the king.

That evening the chiefs came together with their men and as they were sitting quite close to the king, the king said: “If Pakaa was here, of an evening like this, he would have my awa ready with two fresh hinalea.33 I would drink the awa and as its effects come over me, I would feel like a newly made net, nice and snug, all night. How I do miss Pakaa.”

When Kuapakaa heard this he returned to his father, Pakaa, and said: “My [114]master is in want of some awa, and he has expressed his affection for you and showed that he still remembers you.” When Pakaa heard this, he took down the awa cup, the awa dish, the grass used for straining awa, the piece of awa and two portions of awa already prepared and said to the boy: “You take these to your master and show them to him. If he should ask you to prepare the awa for him, give your consent. Then you turn to one side where it is dark, leave the piece that is not prepared, take up the portions that are ready, strain them into the cup. He will compliment you for being very quick, for I was ever ready with these things when I was with him. After you have strained the awa into the cup, hand the cup to your master, then run as fast as you can to the pool where we keep the hinalea and catch two for your master, for he would want the fish to take away the bitter taste of the awa from his mouth.”

When Kuapakaa came to the presence of Keawenuiaumi, he said: “Here is my awa for you.” The king looked and saw that it was quite a large piece, so he said: “You had better prepare it for me.” Kuapakaa then turned into a dark corner, took the portions already prepared, strained the same and handed the cup to the king. The boy then ran for the fish, the two hinalea, and shortly after he returned with them to the king.

Because of these things performed by the boy, Keawenuiaumi complimented him for being quick and for carrying himself like a person who has always lived with kings, and for conducting himself so well. The king then drank up the awa and as the effects of it stole over him, combined with the weariness of a hard and eventful day, he fell into a deep sleep.

Upon seeing this, Kuapakaa decided to uncover the wind calabash, Laamaomao, and to keep it uncovered, so that the winds would continue to blow and the storm hold for days; and in this way keep the king with him. So Kuapakaa uncovered Laamaomao, and the storm kept up day after day; and by it the expedition for the search was postponed. Because of this storm Keawenuiaumi and his men were forced to wait for the abating of the storm until one month went by, when their food which had been brought from Hawaii was exhausted. At this, the chiefs went before Keawenuiaumi and told him of their trouble, that they had run out of food. When Keawenuiaumi heard this he sent a man to go and ask of the boy, if he had any food. Said the king: “If he has any food, tell him that we are without any.”

When the man came before Kuapakaa he told him what Keawenuiaumi had said to him. When Kuapakaa heard this, he said: “There is food; but you must go back to the king and tell him the food is up in the uplands. Tell him there are six chiefs here and I have six small patches. Furthermore, if you should go for food, don’t take the big potatoes only and leave the small ones; for if you do so you will not get another chance to go up there for food.” With this the messenger returned to the presence of Keawenuiaumi and reported to him of what the boy had said. When Keawenuiaumi heard this he ordered his men and the chiefs to go up for food.

When they came to the uplands, where the potatoes were growing they saw that there were six large patches, each of very great extent, and were so long that the other ends could not be seen. The men then said to themselves: “How wonderful! The [116]boy said there were six small patches, but here there are six very large patches.” The men then began to dig up the potatoes, and after they had dug up enough, they collected the potatoes and in obedience to the boy’s order, they took the large ones as well as the small ones and returned with the potatoes to the beach, lighted the ovens, and after the potatoes were cooked, they sat down and ate their fill.

After this Kuapakaa came to them and said: “I want you to take the large potatoes for your own use and keep the small ones for me.” “Why, no, not so; you must have some of the large ones, too, because the potatoes are yours.” “No,” said Kuapakaa, “you take the large ones and save the small ones for me. But I want you to do this: peel the skin and then set out the potatoes to dry.”34 The people then asked Kuapakaa: “What do you intend doing with the food, boy?” Kuapakaa replied: “I am doing this, because I know you will eat up those potato patches and the bad weather of this land generally comes about this time, when the sea will be rough, which will keep you here for some time, for there are three bad months yet to come; Makalii, Kaelo and Kaulua.35 In the month of Olana,36 it is possible that fine weather will come, then you people will be able to get away. By that time my potatoes will all be consumed by you, but by doing this, saving and drying out the small potatoes, I will not be without food and will not be hungry, for I shall then live on the small potatoes which I ask you to keep for me. With this food I will be supplied during the time of planting and care of a new crop.” This talk by Kuapakaa, although true, was intended to deceive them, for Kuapakaa well knew that Keawenuiaumi was going to urge that he go along with him in the search for Pakaa, when good weather once more prevailed. The men, in obedience to this order, faithfully kept all the small potatoes after every cooking day.

When Keawenuiaumi left Hawaii on this expedition, he left word with the chiefs and the common people that he would take up a month in the search for Pakaa. He was, however, mistaken in this, for he was in Molokai for four months. In this prolonged absence the people of Hawaii began to mourn for their king, believing that he was dead. After staying in Molokai for four months, the followers of Keawenuiaumi began to think of their wives, children and parents, and there was a general feeling amongst them that they abandon the search for Pakaa and return to Hawaii.

At the expiration of the four months, during which bad weather was to prevail as predicted by Kuapakaa, he closed the wind calabash of Laamaomao, and good weather was once more experienced. He then said to the people: “This is Olana, the pleasant month, then come Welo and Ikiikii (May and June), the period of time when the fisherman’s fish line is always wet. These months are the pleasant months, and hence the fisherman’s line is never dry, because they go out fishing every day.” He then said to the chiefs and men: “Bind the lashings of the canoes, for I have kept you for four months because of the bad weather; now that good weather has come, you must return home.” When the chiefs heard this, they made ready their canoes, renewed the lashings, and pushed the canoes out into the sea and moored them, for the expedition [118]of kings is ever alert. Very late that evening, when it was almost midnight, Kuapakaa called out in a chant, as follows:

Upon hearing this, the chiefs said: “How strange! it is not yet anywheres near daylight, but the boy is calling us to sail off. This is only in the early evening.”

CHAPTER IV.

By this expression used by the chiefs, it was their intention to delay their sailing until the change of the Milky Way, after midnight, when they would make the start. Hearing this expression, Kuapakaa again called out; this time naming the six different districts of Hawaii, and also the six chiefs.

After this call of the boy, the chiefs and the men arose about midnight, boarded their canoes and set sail, and when out at sea they hove to and awaited for the canoe of Keawenuiaumi, which was to come later; for the king had given them his order to go to sea and await his coming. In waiting for the king, the chiefs allowed their canoes to drift away; and in drifting they all fell asleep. The men who were anxious to get back home then headed the canoes for Kawaihae in Kohala, Hawaii; at daylight the next day, the chiefs awoke and when they looked about them they saw that the land in sight was Hawaii. Instead of getting angry, they felt happy, for they knew that they were about to see their wives and children; they, however, felt some regrets, for they loved their king, Keawenuiaumi.

At daylight, a man came to Kuapakaa from the king with the request that he go to the king. When Kuapakaa came before Keawenuiaumi the king said: “I have sent for you to ask you that you accompany me to Kaula and back.” Kuapakaa replied: “I cannot go with you, for I would be leaving my old man by himself and he is very weak.” But since the king kept on urging him, Kuapakaa agreed to accompany the king. This by the way was the wish of Kuapakaa. In giving his consent, Kuapakaa made his going conditional, saying: “I am willing to go with you, if you will take my things along. If you allow this, I will accompany you; but if you will not allow my things to go along, I will not go with with you.” The king gave his consent,39 saying: “I am willing that you go with your things.” Keawenuiaumi then told the men to take the things belonging to the boy and place them on the canoe, believing that this would allow the boy to accompany him.

When the men came to the place where the boy’s things were, they looked and saw a large log of wood as long as the double canoe of the king. When the men saw this log they expressed their doubts as to its being able to be carried by the double canoe for they feared that it would be too much of a load. The men, however, took it up with some difficulty and placed it on the canoe, which set the canoe deep in the water. The boy then pointed to another thing, a rock, with a groove cut around it; thus making two things the boy wished placed in the canoe. [122]

This large log of wood was hollow and contained food and various other things. Because of this large log, the men gave the boy the name, “The boy of Kaluakoi with the large package.” After the things belonging to the boy had been placed on the double canoe, Keawenuiaumi and Kuapakaa, as well as the rest of the men, boarded it and set sail.

In setting out, they experienced pleasant winds, called Kaao; Kuapakaa at once looked at the two sailing masters and asked that they give him one of the paddles, but they refused, saying: “We cannot give you one because this is our sign of authority. We will be blamed if we surrender it to you.” By this Kuapakaa wanted to place the responsibility upon their own heads, in case of coming disaster, for these were the very men who had made things so unpleasant for his father, Pakaa, who was forced to go away from the presence of Keawenuiaumi.

The canoe sailed on and passed to the lee of Oahu, then on into the sea of Kaieiewaho,40 where they saw Kauai; after a time they went past Waimea. At this place Kuapakaa uncovered his wind calabash, Laamaomao and immediately they were encompassed by a terrible storm. In meeting this storm the king did not worry for he had the boy with him. When they were beset with this storm, Keawenuiaumi asked of the sailing masters: “What are we to do?” The two were unable to make answer, at that time, for the waves were beating into the canoe, and it was only being kept afloat through the exertion of the bailers. Soon after this the storm increased and the wind and rain were terrible; the thunder and lightning too was severe, and they began to drift away until Kauai was almost lost to their sight.

As the storm increased, Keawenuiaumi turned to the boy and asked: “What about this storm?” Kuapakaa answered: “I have nothing else to meet it, except this rock; it must be cast out to serve as an anchor to hold the canoe and in that way prevent our being blown away by the wind and lose sight of land.” At this, Keawenuiaumi surrendered the entire command of the canoe to Kuapakaa; it was his to carry them to destruction or to safety. Kuapakaa then opened out one end of the log, and taking out a rope he fastened it to the rock, and threw it into the sea, and they were held in one place.

When Kuapakaa saw that the men and the king were shivering from the intense cold, that their hair hung down straight and every one was suffering, he took out some palm leaves41 from the log and gave the men one apiece and one to the king; but he did not give the sailing masters, Hookeleihilo and Hookeleipuna, any. Soon after this he took out food and meat from the log, and gave some to the men and to the king; but he again refused to give anything to the sailing masters.

By this action of Kuapakaa the two sailing masters were in great distress, for they were shivering with the cold and were in great need of food. Not very long after this, Hookeleihilo fell overboard, unable to withstand any longer the terrible sufferings. At this the man who sat in front of Hookeleiho called out: “Hookeleihilo has fallen overboard.” Not very long after this, Hookeleipuna succumbed and he too fell overboard, dead; thus were the two sailing masters disposed of. [124]

CHAPTER V.

When Kuapakaa saw that the enemies of his father, Pakaa, were dead, he closed the wind calabash, Laamaomao, and immediately the storm abated and a great calm came over the ocean. At the coming of the pleasant weather, the office of sailing master was given over to the boy. But before this, the king said to the boy, that he wished to continue the search of Pakaa at Kaula. After giving this order the king and the men all fell asleep, for they were worn out with the efforts to save themselves during the storm.

After they had all fallen asleep a fair wind from land sprung up; Kuapakaa then swung the canoe around as well as the sail and sailed straight for Hawaii, all that day and night until daylight of the next day, when they saw the top of Maunakea above the mist, passing and repassing in the distance like a pointed cloud. At this the men all woke up at the call, “There is Hawaii.” Some said that it was not Hawaii; but when they got nearer to Kawaihae, they were made certain that it was Hawaii. This was the cause of great rejoicing amongst the men; but Keawenuiaumi was not at all made happy for he had failed to find his servant Pakaa, and had not reached Kaula.

As the canoe drew near the land the men became excited, for they were to see their wives and children after a long separation. Upon seeing this, Kuapakaa said to them: “Say, what a disappointment it will be for the boy.” They asked: “Why?” Kuapakaa replied: “He will be neglected as soon as the canoe touches land.” Lapakahoe then asked: “Why should you be neglected?” Kuapakaa replied: “I see that you are all excited and are anxious to land; and when you do, and meet your wives and children you will forget me and I will get left, for I have no friends here.” Lapakahoe said: “The king will not forget you, because by you these bones were saved.” “That may be so, but the boy will be forgotten as soon as the canoe touches land.” These words of Kuapakaa were realized and proved too true, as the following events will show.

When they touched land at Kawaihae, everybody landed and there was weeping by the women and by the children, and while doing this, the boy was entirely forgotten. Kuapakaa, not having any other place to go to, stayed by the canoes day and night, sleeping under them at night. In living at this place, the boy had no friends, and the food he lived on was the dried potatoes saved in his log of wood. [126]

Some time after this, Kuapakaa heard that the season for flying-fish had commenced at Kohala, so very early one morning he came upon a couple of fishermen, who were fastening on the lashings of their canoe, making preparations for going out fishing for flying-fish. When he saw the men, he said: “What are you two going to do with the canoe?” “We are making ready to go out fishing for flying-fish.” “Will you let me accompany you in your canoe?” “No, it will be too much of an extra load for the canoe.” Kuapakaa replied: “Do you think so? I believe every canoe ought to have a bailer. If I accompany you, I know that I don’t share with you on your catch. I know how to fish, and if I make a large catch, I will have to share with the rowers; and even if the catch be small, I must share with you on my catch. In this way, you can see, I will not in any way be entitled to a division of your catch.” As the boy spoke pleasantly and in a way, wisely, the men gave their consent and expressed their willingness to take Kuapakaa along with them.

Upon coming to the fishing grounds, several flying-fish were caught, a fair division was then made and they headed for home. On their return they met a canoe which was manned by six paddlers, while the canoe in which Kuapakaa was a paddler had only three. When Kuapakaa saw the other canoe, he said to his two companions: “Let us have a race with that canoe, and make a wager,42 our flying-fish, that we can beat them.” This proposition angered one of his companions, who said: “Why, who said so? How can you beat six men in a canoe race?” Kuapakaa said to the one who made the answer: “You had better get into that other canoe, making seven of you, and the two of us will race the seven of you.”

The other man then replied: “I am afraid I will be deprived of my share of our catch. How can our strength be compared to the strength of all such full grown men? We will never be able to beat them.” When Kuapakaa heard this, he said to the man: “You can take the other canoe then, making eight of you, while I shall take this canoe all by myself; and let us place our shares as our wagers. If you get ashore first, you can have my catch and if I make land first I will take your catch.”

This satisfied the others and they asked that Kuapakaa hand over his share of the fish for them to hold; but to this Kuapakaa replied: “No, I think you ought to give me the fish and I act as the stake-holder; because if I beat you, you will be apt to keep the stakes, and if I jump in to take it from you, you would beat me, for there are too many of you and I am all alone. But on the other hand, if you beat me, I will not be able to keep the stakes away from you for you are too many for me, you can take the stakes away from me anyhow.” There was nothing wrong in this, so it was agreed, and the fish were handed over to Kuapakaa. Soon after this, the preparations for the race commenced and the canoes were brought to the mark. As soon as the word was given, the paddles all came down with a jerk and away the two canoes went.

On the start the canoe containing the eight men took the lead, while the one containing Kuapakaa was left to the rear. As soon as Kuapakaa saw this, he called out to his grandmother, Laamaomao, to send him three surfs to carry his canoe to shore. Soon after the call, a large surf came from behind him and then another and another; [128]by these surfs he was taken ashore. The other people, when they saw the surfs coming, were frightened, they being too large, and so they held back their canoe; in this way Kuapakaa rode in on the surfs alone and landed ahead of the others. As soon as Kuapakaa landed, he took the flying-fish and hid the whole lot within the canoe of Keawenuiaumi. When the others came ashore, they asked of Kuapakaa about the fish, saying: “Where is our fish?” “There is none left, I have given the whole lot away, for I knew it was mine.”

When the men heard this, they were satisfied, but were greatly surprised that such a small boy should beat them. They were, however, determined to try again, and proposed another race, saying to Kuapakaa: “Let us have another race.” Kuapakaa replied: “You can satisfy yourselves on that matter; but the trouble is I have nothing to wager against you.” They all said: “There is always one wager, our bones. If we beat you, you forfeit your life to us, and if you should beat us, why we forfeit ours.” Kuapakaa replied: “I do not want to wager our lives, for if I should win, your wives and children and your friends would weep for you; whereas on my side I am all by myself, without a single relative and can afford to die; but this is not the case with you. So therefore, if you think best we will wager some property, for there is my double canoe over there which you can have if you beat me.” The men replied: “That is not your canoe, it belongs to Keawenuiaumi.” Kuapakaa said: “Keawenuiaumi has no canoe there, that is my canoe. They were merely passengers, for I am the one that is keeping it; had the canoe been theirs they would have stayed by it and taken care of it.” The men then replied: “We do not want the canoe. We would much prefer that our lives be the wager.” The boy assented to this, saying: “All right, why not?”

The result of the first race was spread abroad about Kohala, Hamakua and Hilo. In the arrangement for the second race the men said to the boy: “The race must take place in Kau. Each canoe must be six fathoms in length.” This arrangement was also spread abroad until it went the whole round of Hawaii.

CHAPTER VI.

When they reached Kau, the canoes were made ready and moored at the beach. The oven was dug, sufficient wood was brought to the place as well as the stones. These things were made ready because they were the means by which death was to be given the defeated ones, according to their agreement. In this second race many people took the [130]opportunity of offering wagers and accepting the same by the backers of either side; some on the boy and some on the men.

As the contestants were about to leave shore, for the starting point, the boy said: “Before we start out let us have a final agreement. If I come ashore first, I would not be declared the winner until I have ridden in on four surfs. If I ride the four surfs before you land, then I will be the winner and then you must submit to your fate. This will be the case if you should win. But I suppose you will win anyhow, for there are several of you on your side.” This extra condition was agreed to.

The men then boarded their canoe of six fathoms in length and Kuapakaa boarded his canoe, also of six fathoms in length. The two parties then paddled out to sea until they had reached a point which Kuapakaa thought was far enough and so said to the others: “Let us take this as the starting point.” The others refused to accept this, saying: “We will not accept this as the starting point. Let the starting point be at a distance where the water will hide the shores. When we come to that point we will face about.” Kuapakaa replied: “It will be useless for us to go out any further for there are several of you in your canoe. Why should you fear me, who am all alone? If you had started the race at the edge of the line of surfs, you would have won; but I wish to tell you now that I will beat you anyhow, and that it will be a sad thing for your wives, children and parents.”

When the houses had disappeared from their view, the men said to Kuapakaa: “Here is our starting point.” Kuapakaa agreed to this; the canoes were swung around, placed side by side, and when they were ready the word was given and the race commenced. On the start the eight men forged their canoe ahead by their powerful strokes of the paddle, while Kuapakaa fell far behind. Upon seeing this Kuapakaa watched how the others were using their paddles, and when he saw them raise their paddles some distance out of the water, and that they held their paddles high up by which action the water was forced up high at every stroke, causing an eddy to be drawn along behind their canoe, he forced his canoe into the current formed by the eddy behind the other canoe. As soon as he had entered into this current all he had to do was to see that his canoe kept in the current. While the others were forcing themselves to keep ahead of the boy, by using very powerful strokes, the boy followed on behind taking his time; and the faster they went the faster the boy followed them. Whenever the boy saw that the others were slackening up he would call out: “Pull harder so you will win.” When the eight men would hear this, they worked all the harder.

When the canoes drew near to the land, the boy’s canoe being directly behind the other, so that he was not clearly seen, the people ashore began to dispute as to the merits of the two canoes, and seeing only one canoe, the people yelled out: “The boy is beaten, the boy is beaten.” After the shouts had ceased, the canoe of Kuapakaa was seen to come out from behind the other and take the lead, causing the multitude backing the boy to raise another shout, for they admired the pluck displayed by the youngster. The canoe of Kuapakaa was seen to draw away from the others farther and farther until it reached land first. As soon as Kuapakaa touched shore he grabbed a surf board and swam out to the surf, according to agreement, but instead of going [132]out to the big surf he took the small ones near the sand, and after he had thus ridden in three times, the eight men landed and were declared beaten by the boy.

The result of this race was soon carried to Keawenuiaumi, as well as the fate of the eight men, who were fairly beaten by the boy. When Keawenuiaumi heard this, he said: “Yes, it surely must be so. If that small boy is the same one that came along with us then it is possible. If he is the same, then there is no escape, the men will indeed die.” Keawenuiaumi then sent one of his messengers to go and bring the boy to him, in order that he might see for himself. When the boy arrived, the king saw that it was the very same that had accompanied him to Hawaii. At this the king fell on the boy’s neck and wept, because he knew that he had neglected him since leaving the canoe. The actions of the boy in saving him from death came to the mind of the king in such a way that he felt that he had indeed been neglectful.

After the weeping Keawenuiaumi asked of the boy: “Where have you lived all this time?” “By our canoe.” “What did you live on?” “The dry food that was left over, which we had on our journey.” After this the king again asked: “And were you the one who defeated my men in Kohala?” “Yes,” answered Kuapakaa. “And are you the one who has just won in this race?” “Yes.” “What was the wager?” “In the first race we wagered some fish. In the last race we wagered our bones (lives), and I have beaten them again. The fire in the oven is now lit for the baking, on my return the men will be put into the oven.”

At this the king again wept, with his head bent down low. When the boy saw the king weeping, he asked: “What are you weeping for?” “I am weeping for my men, because they are to die.” The boy said: “It is not my fault; it was of their own making. I proposed that we wager some property and at this they questioned me what property I had to put up, and I told them that I would put up the canoe; but they refused to accept that, and proposed that our bones be the wager. To this I gave my consent because I knew that they were taking advantage of my size.”

Keawenuiaumi then said: “Say, where are you, my boy? I want to ask you, that since you love me, that you take pity on me and grant my request, that you save my men, for I cannot see how I am to get along if these men are to be put to death; for I will be without any one who will attend to my comfort. Therefore if you love me, these men must live. If you think they must die, then you must kill me first.” At this pleading, Kuapakaa asked: “Do you think more of these men than any other person?” “Yes,” said the king; “but I would not have thought so much of them had I found my servant Pakaa.”

Kuapakaa then said to Keawenuiaumi: “If you think more of the welfare of these men, we will never be able to find Pakaa even though we again make another trip to Kaula; but if you allow these men to meet their fate, then you will be able to find your servant Pakaa; for this was the very reason why Pakaa left you; you were keeping too many favorites.” Keawenuiaumi said: “Go and find Pakaa and then these men may die.” At this, Kuapakaa told Keawenuiaumi of Pakaa, his father, saying: “He is now living in Molokai. When you met me on your trip, he was with me sitting in the fore part of the canoe; the old man kept his head bent down. He kept his face down for fear of being recognized by you. Pakaa is my father and I am his son Kuapakaa, named by him, because of the scales of your skin through the use of the awa; [134]and it was by him that I was educated in all the things pertaining to the office of a king’s personal servant.”

Upon hearing this revelation from Kuapakaa, Keawenuiaumi wished to know clearly [of his favorite servant], so he asked a few more questions. Kuapakaa then went more into the details, saying: “After you people returned from the Kalaau point, and we all went ashore, it was your own loin cloth that I gave you; the kapa was your own; the piece of awa was your own, but Pakaa had instructed me to tell you that the things were mine in order that his identity be not discovered.”

When Keawenuiaumi heard these things from Kuapakaa, he raised his voice and wept for Pakaa and the boy Kuapakaa. When his weeping was ended he ordered one of his chiefs, that the men who were beaten by the boy be put to death.

After the death of these men, Keawenuiaumi ordered Kuapakaa to go immediately, as fast as possible, and bring Pakaa to him. With this order, Kuapakaa boarded his racing canoe and set out that early morning. When the sun was high up in the heaven, the boy entered the landing place at Molokai and moored his canoe; after this was done he went after Pakaa.

When he reached their home, the boy greeted his father and after the exchange of the greetings, Pakaa inquired: “Are my opponents dead?” “Yes. After we had sailed off and while outside of Waimea, Kauai, I uncovered Laamaomao and immediately we were encompassed by a great and terrible storm. In the midst of this storm, I gave out the palm leaves to the men, all with the exception of Hookeleihilo and Hookeleipuna. The food also was not given them, nor the meat and water; and being exhausted, the two died. We then left Kauai and set sail for Hawaii while all the people were asleep, and after a time we landed at Kawaihae, where I was neglected by my master and his men. Some time shortly after this I got into a race with some of the king’s men whom I defeated and they were put to death. After the men were put to death I told the king of you and me, and he sent me to bring you; therefore, I have come for you to go back with me.” At this Pakaa asked: “What has your master given you?” “Nothing.” “Then go back and tell your master that Pakaa has sent word that until the king has restored all the lands taken back by him, as well as all the other things, I will not come back.43 Restore these things and I will come.”

At the close of this conversation, between the boy and the father, the boy set out for Hawaii and in time delivered the message to Keawenuiaumi. When the king heard the conditions proposed by his servant Pakaa, he agreed to them all, withholding nothing of which Pakaa wanted, saying: “I am willing to do all this in order that I may get him to come back to me.” Again Kuapakaa set out for Molokai, where he landed and delivered the order of Keawenuiaumi. When Pakaa heard the reply of the king, he boarded the canoe and returned to Hawaii.

When Pakaa came in the presence of Keawenuiaumi, Keawenuiaumi fell on Pakaa and wept, and begged to be forgiven for the bad treatment given to a faithful servant. After the weeping, Keawenuiaumi gave to Pakaa the whole of Hawaii,44 thus placing him back in the same position held by him before. This is the end of this story. [79]

Legend of Palila.

Kaluaopalena and Mahinui, the daughter of Hina, were the father and mother of Palila, who was born in Kamooloa, in Koloa, Kauai; but he was brought up in the temple of Humuula. Palila at his birth was in the form of a piece of cord1 and was therefore thrown away in a pile of rubbish, the parents not knowing that it was a child, and furthermore they were disappointed upon seeing the cord. When Palila was born, Hina [the grandmother] was living in the temple of Humuula up in the mountains; but through her supernatural powers she saw the birth of Palila, so she came down to Mahinui and Kaluaopalena and asked them: “Where is the child that was born a short time ago?” Mahinui and Kaluaopalena replied: “There was no child, it was a piece of cord; it is lying there in that rubbish pile.” Hina went over to the place and took up the piece of cord from amongst the rubbish and bundled it up in a piece of white kapa and returned to her home.

After Hina arrived at her home in the temple of Humuula, away up in the mountains in a very lonely spot, she unwrapped the bundle of Palila and put it into another piece of white kapa. This was done at three different times, when it began to assume human form. After the lapse of a full period of ten days, the body of Palila was complete in its form. Hina then built a shelf from the uluhe fern and placed the child upon it. After the child had reached the age when it could take food, it was given nothing but bananas.

Alanapo was another very sacred place; it was also a temple and was located in the land of Humuula. It was the resort of spirits and a place noted for the strength and braveness of the people brought up in it. When Hina saw that the child was full grown she took him to the temple of Alanapo and brought him up with the spirits, where he was educated in the arts of warfare and in all the training proper for the development of great strength. After the years of training his two hands were equally developed and could deal out death to all his enemies. In his daily life and bringing up, he had a twofold character; that of a spirit and of a human being.

One half of Kauai at this time was under the control of Namakaokalani, who was constantly at war with Kaluaopalena [the father of Palila, the ruler of the other half of Kauai]. Three battles had already been fought by the two and there remained but one more when Namakaokalani, if victorious, would conquer the whole island of Kauai.

It was Hina’s usual custom to go down to observe the progress of the contending parties; she did this every time there was a battle. On this occasion Hina went down and arrived before the commencement of hostilities; she felt2 that Palila was coming down to see the battle, so upon meeting Kaluaopalena she said to him: “You must be on the watch this day. The first warrior who will come to you will be Namakaokalani [138]from Moloaa; don’t call him. The second will be Lupeakawaiowainiha, who is a warrior; don’t call him. But, when a warrior comes twirling his war club on the left, that will be Palila, your own son, who comes from the temple of Alanapo. He will be the warrior by whose aid you will conquer the whole of Kauai. Call him to you; if perchance he will be pleased with you, you will live; but if he gets angry you will be slain together with your men.”

Soon after Hina departed on her way to see the battle, Palila woke from his sleep. When he looked about him and saw that Hina was not around, he rose, took up his war club, Huliamahi by name, given to him by the gods, and came out of the sacredness of Alanapo. He continued on his way until he was outside of the limits of Humuula, and went through a forest of tall trees until he arrived at a rise looking toward the sea. This rise is Komoikeanu. When Palila arrived at this rise he looked down and saw two great armies gathered at Paa. Palila knew by the action of the men that a battle was about to be fought and against his father Kaluaopalena. He therefore turned and proceeded along the upper part of Hanapepe through the brush and tall trees. When Palila got into the forest he swung his club, Huliamahi, knocking down the trees. By reason of the falling of the trees one on top of another, they kept on falling until the trees standing around one of the armies were also knocked down, destroying a large portion thereof, leaving Kaluaopalena’s intact. Those who heard Hina announce the coming of Palila were all afraid upon seeing the forest mowed down, therefore Namakaokalani immediately sent his messengers to ask Kaluaopalena to call off the battle and to make peace.

When Kaluaopalena heard the message, he refused to call the battle off, saying: “I will not call the battle off until I am victorious, for I have laid awake nights until my head was made heavy planning for this battle. I know that I will conquer the whole of Kauai this day.” The reason why Kaluaopalena said this was because he had heard that Palila was coming to meet him, and it was also this which caused the other side to sue for peace. On whichever side Palila swung his club no trees or shrubs remained standing, and none grow to this day.

While Palila was on his way to meet Kaluaopalena, Namakaokalani the warrior from Moloaa, with his war club, came to meet Kaluaopalena. This war club was so large that it required eighty men to carry it, forty at one end and forty at the other. When Namakaokalani arrived in the presence of Kaluaopalena, he stood up his war club, called Kawalowai, in the presence of the people; but Kaluaopalena would not call him to come on his side;3 he was so ashamed that he thereupon returned to Moloaa. After Namakaokalani came Lupeakawaiowainiha, another great warrior. It is said that every time he urinated the land would be flooded. He, too, came with his war club, called Kalalea. This war club was so large that it required one hundred and twenty men to carry it. When he arrived in the presence of Kaluaopalena, he took his war club and twirled it over his head and then down under his chin, causing the people to shout with admiration at his cleverness; but Kaluaopalena would not call him and he [140]was so ashamed that he went home to Hanalei. Kaluaopalena, according to the instructions from Hina was patiently waiting for Palila and consequently did not utter a word when the two warriors stood before him.

After these two warriors came Palila. While he was yet a mile distant from Kaluaopalena, Palila swung his war club, Huliamahi, causing all the trees to fall with the exception of one lehua tree, it being the supernatural body of Palila himself. The trees in falling killed many. None escaped except Kaluaopalena’s people, who were standing away from the trees. Those who ran and hid in the woods were killed.

When Palila arrived in the presence of Kaluaopalena, Kaluaopalena came crawling to Palila, and when near him fell flat, face down, and called out: “Ye heavenly offspring, hold out your club.” Palila inquired: “Where shall it be? Toward the uplands, toward the lowlands, to the east or downward?” Kaluaopalena answered: “At the killing of the pig and the red fish.” Palila then pushed his war club, Huliamahi, downward until only the point of it remained above ground. That was the land of Waihohonu, therefore its miry condition to this day and its deep depression. At this all the people fell down, not one daring to remain standing for fear of death.

It was a law with Palila that whenever he laughed the kapu would end; people could then stand up, speak, or run about. The people did not, however, know this, so they remained lying down. While they were all in this position Hina arrived and she stood on a little rise called Alea [known as Maunakilika at the present time], with the robe of Palila, called Hakaula and the malo of Palila called Ikuwa. Hina then uncovered herself to nakedness, and rolled over the backs of the people, which caused Palila to laugh and released the kapu, when they all arose. The reason of this laughter was her own condition, called Lehokukuwau.4 She then approached Palila, circumcised5 and bound him with oloa kapa,6 after which they returned up to Alanapo.

After Palila had been in Alanapo more than ten days the desire to go and fight the chiefs of other lands and the demi-gods of the deep began to grow in him until at last he decided to go and meet them. Before he left Alanapo he had a premonition of meeting Kamaikaahui, a human shark which was living in Maui.

Kamaikaahui at this time was living at Muolea, Hana, Maui. He had come through three different forms: first, that of a rat; second, a bunch of bananas; and third, that of a shark. It was when he was very small that he had the form of a rat, but on climbing a banana tree he changed into a bunch of bananas. After a while when the owner of the patch of bananas came to pick the bunch he took the top hands only, leaving the lower ones, when it changed into a human being having a shark’s mouth and teeth in the back below the neck, and it thereupon began to have a desire for human flesh.

Kamaikaahui’s occupation was that of a farmer, and to suit his taste he had his fields near the public highway. While at his work he could see the people on their way sea bathing or on their way to fish. As people passed down he would ask: “What [142]kind of bathing are you going to have?” “We are going to leap from the rocks.” He would then say: “Your feet will be bitten.” After the people had passed on their way to the sea, he would then follow on behind and jump into the sea and begin to bite off the feet of the bathers. This was carried on every time the people went bathing and they never once suspected him. If the people were on their way to dive for fish their heads would be bitten off and eaten by Kamaikaahui.

It was his custom to always have a piece of kapa wrapped around his back and he never went without it, because it was to cover up the mouth at his back, for he did not wish to have it seen. One day during one of the king’s working days at which Kamaikaahui was present, with the piece of kapa on his back, the people having seen him thus covered at all times made up their mind to see why his back was always covered. A general order was therefore issued in which everybody was requested to uncover their back. This was followed by everybody except Kamaikaahui. When he was requested to uncover his back he at once attempted to escape and ran off, threw down his clothes and jumped into the sea where he turned into a shark. The place where he left his clothes is to this day known as Kauhalahala, given to it because he successfully escaped from the hands of the people.

After transforming himself into a shark he came to Waipahu in Waikele, Oahu, where he remained. As soon as he was settled in the place he again followed the same practice that he did in Maui. Every time he got his opponent under him his mouth at the back would bite and eat the man. This was done so often that the people of Ewa began to get afraid of him, and he lived as a king over them.

On the day that Palila decided to leave home, he took up his war club, Huliamahi, and came out of Humuula and stood on the knoll of Komoikeanu, swung his war club, pointed it in front of him and let the club fly. As the club flew he hung on to one end of it and he was carried by it until he landed on the cliff of Nualolo on the top of the hill of Kamaile, the hill from which the fire sticks7 are thrown. As he stood on the hill he first looked towards Kahiki, then towards Oahu; then making up his mind to come to Oahu, he pushed his war club ahead of him and again he was carried by it until he landed on the Kaena point at Waianae.

After leaving Kaena he came to Kalena, then on to Pohakea, then to Maunauna, then to Kanehoa, then to the plain of Keahumoa and looking toward Ewa. At this place he stood and looked at the dust as it ascended into the sky caused by the people who had gathered there; he then pushed his war club toward Honouliuli. When the people heard something roar like an earthquake they were afraid and they all ran to Waikele. When Palila arrived at Waikele he saw the people gathered there to witness the athletic games that were being given by the king of Oahu, Ahuapau by name. His palace was situated at Kalaepohaku, close to Wailuakio at Kapalama.

Ahuapau was a kapu chief and he was kept covered up away from the wind and rain. On going out he was carried from place to place inclosed in a palanquin, so high [144]and sacred was his rank.8 He had two very fast runners, called Iomea and Ioloa. Every time the king traveled to Waikele to witness the games he would climb into his palanquin and be covered up and would only venture out in this way, whether on the way down or on the way home. This king had a certain fear of Kamaikaahui and because of this fear he had issued an order, that whoever was able to chase Kamaikaahui out of Oahu, or was able to kill him, that he would make that person the chief ruler of Oahu.

When Palila arrived at the place he remained on the outside of the crowd and said that if Kamaikaahui would see him he would run away. When this was carried to the king Palila was sent for and as he stood in the presence of the king, the king addressed him, saying: “If it is true that Kamaikaahui will run away from you this day, then you will be the first one to enter my sacred temple.” Soon after this Palila made himself known to Kamaikaahui. At sight of Palila, Kamaikaahui attempted to escape by running into the sea, but Palila pushed out his club, forcing Kamaikaahui to come back. He was then caught and uncovered and the people saw his mouth and sets of teeth at his back; he was then killed.

Papakolea was a farmer and his wife was Koiuiu; they lived at Leleo. It was promised him that when his crops were ripe that the temple of Kanelaauli, at Kahehuna,9 just at the base of Punchbowl hill, would be opened to the public.

When Papakolea saw Palila he said to Ahuapau, the king: “Say, here is the young man who will conquer the whole island for you; give him your daughters to wife.” Ahuapau had two daughters, Kaalamikioi and Kalehuawai. Upon hearing this the priest Kahikoluamea said: “Don’t give him your daughters yet; let us wait a while. He is not quite human as he is partly spirit, being so by the influence of Mahinui, his mother. He has been brought up under strict kapus in the temple of Alanapo by the spirits and is therefore not quite human.” At this Ahuapau asked: “What are we to do then?” Kahikoluamea replied: “Put him on the palanquin and let your runners carry him with all haste into the temple, where he shall be kept under a strict kapu until we have worked over him and have transformed him into a perfect human being, when everything will be well.” Palila was then placed in the palanquin and he was carried off by the two runners into the temple of Kanelaauli, at Kahehuna, without allowing a single breath of wind to strike him. The king Ahuapau in the meantime walked on the ground for the first time and the wind also for the first time blew on him.

After Palila was carried into the temple of Kanelaauli the priests inquired: “What is this?” The runners answered: “It is a kapued chief from Alanapo, Kauai. Let the railing of the temple be put up, let the drum be beaten and the coconut rattlers rattle.” On the next day the priests worked on Palila and he was also properly circumcised. He was then transformed into a perfect human being. After the ceremonies Palila was allowed to live with his wives, the daughters of Ahuapau. Soon after this Ahuapau told Palila to make a circuit of Oahu, to which Palila consented.

But before starting out Palila asked Ahuapau: “Are there any lawless obstructions [146]along the road surrounding Oahu?” “None,” said Ahuapau. This was, however, a lie, as Ahuapau was even at this time determined to have Palila killed. Palila then said to Ahuapau: “Yes, I am going on my way and in case I meet some one who will attempt to harm me, I will first kill him and then I will return and kill you and all your men.” At this Ahuapau was frightened and told of Olomana, who was living at Kaelepulu in Koolau and was a great warrior. Palila then said: “I will not kill you now; but had you kept it from me you would have been killed.”

Palila then climbed to the top of Punchbowl hill and looked around him. From this place he walked up to the Nuuanu pali, pushed his war club ahead of him, holding on to one end and flew to Kaelepulu, where he saw Olomana standing.

Olomana was a very tall man, he being twelve10 yards to the shoulders, and thirteen in height. He was a very brave man and was much feared. No chief or warrior dared face him. If he stood on the windward side the other side would be a perfect calm; his height also shaded the sun.

When Palila saw Olomana, he jumped up with his war club, Huliamahi, and stood on the shoulders of Olomana. Olomana then turned and said to Palila: “Where are you from, you haughty youngster? No one has ever dared, before this day, to climb up my shoulders; and here you have done it.” Palila then answered: “I am Palila who was brought up in Alanapo, the temple of the gods from the very beginning of all things, and I have come to fight you.” When Olomana heard this, he was sorely afraid, for he knew that those who come from the temple of Alanapo are men richly endowed with supernatural powers and very great warriors; so Olomana begged: “Let me live, Palila.” Palila replied: “I cannot save you; you shall indeed die, for your works have been of evil.” Palila then struck him, cutting him in two; one portion flew toward the sea, being Mahinui, and the other portion remained where he stood, being the present hill of Olomana. It was because of this that the hill is so sharp at the peak. This was how Olomana, the great soldier of Oahu, was killed by Palila.

After Palila had completed the circuit of Oahu, he went along to the rise at Kaimuki and then down to Waialae; from this place he proceeded to Wailupe and then on to Maunalua where Kahului, a fisherman of that place, was living. Upon seeing him Kahului called, so Palila went to Kahului and they sat down and began to talk on various matters. That afternoon the men and women came along the shore in the pools to catch minnows for bait, for aku fishing for tomorrow. Palila again asked: “How about us two?” “But I have no one to assist me in paddling the canoe because I have a very large one, it being seven fathoms in length.” Palila then said: “The two of us will paddle it in order to make it go.” They then started out and caught some minnows which they kept for the next day.

In the early morning when they came out they found that all the others had gone before them; so Kahului thought they would not be able to get their canoe into the sea; he then turned to Palila and said: “We will not be able to get our canoe into the sea as there are no men to assist us.” Palila replied: “You get in front and lift while I lift the [148]after part here; but you must not look behind.” Palila gave the canoe one shove and it floated in the sea; he then jumped in the fore part of the canoe and took up nine paddles while Kahului jumped into the after part and took up his paddle. After they were ready to start Palila took up one paddle and with one stroke broke it in two; so he took up another paddle and that too was broken; this was kept up until all the nine paddles were broken. Kahului then said to Palila: “Let us return for we have no more paddles to work the canoe with.” Palila then took up his war club and used it as a paddle; he took but one stroke and they went skimming along beyond Kawaihoa, then on to Kolo, the great fishing grounds.

When Kahului saw how fast they were traveling he admitted the great strength displayed by Palila. Upon arriving at the fishing grounds Kahului proceeded to fish, but after several trials he was unable to catch any aku, for all his hooks were broken. After a time Palila asked: “When are we to catch some fish?” Kahului replied: “The sea is full of fish, but the trouble is I cannot catch any. Here I have lost several hooks, but I have not been able to land a single fish. I have used up all my hooks except one.” Palila then said: “You come in front here and paddle our canoe along, and I will come and fish.” This was done by Kahului.

Palila then took up his war club and tied the bait on to it and let it down to the sea. The fish then gathered on to the club in great numbers. When Palila saw this he jerked up the club and the fish dropped into the canoe. He repeated this several times until the canoe was loaded down deep with fish. They then returned to the landing. When they reached the landing Palila said to Kahului: “You go on ahead and broil me some of the fish and I will lift the canoe ashore.” Palila then gave the canoe one shove and it landed high and dry and onto its blocks.

After the fish was cooked they sat down to their meal. After a few days Palila left Kahului because he was too stingy, and he again continued on his journey along the coast until he arrived on the rise of Hanauma, where he stood and looked at the heat as it ascended from the pili grass at Kaunakakai, Molokai. He then pushed out his war club ahead of him which flew through the air and he was carried to Kaluakoi. Here he discarded a portion of his person which turned into the point of Kalaeokalaau, which is seen to this day, so named in honor of Palila.

There was at this place a large stick of wood to which was given the name of Hooneenuu. Because of this name, Hooneenuu, Palila took a dislike to Molokai, so he again pushed out his war club and flew to Kaunolu, Lanai. From this place he crossed over to Kahoolawe and from there to Pohakueaea in Honuaula. At this place he sat down and rested.

After resting for some time he pushed out his spear and flew to Kaula in Hamakua, Hawaii, the dividing line separating the districts of Hilo and Hamakua. From this place he continued on until he found Lupea, a sister of Hina, who was living above Kaawalii; she was one of Palila’s attendants. Lupea is a hau tree to this day, and wherever the malo of Palila was spread out to dry no hau11 tree has grown even to this day. This was caused by the god Ku, the god of Palila, a god of supernatural power. [150]There was at Hilo a temple also called Humuula, like the one on Kauai, which was also sacred, and furthermore it was also under the control of the spirits and was just as powerful.

The king of Hilo at this time was Kulukulua, and Wanua was the king of Hamakua. The two were at war with each other. The greatest warrior of Hamakua was Moanonuikalehua and his war club was called Koholalele.12 This war club was so large that it required four hundred men to carry it. The next in greatness was Kumunuiaiake, a warrior of note. His spear was made from the mamane13 wood of Kawaihae; it was ten fathoms in length and he could throw this spear over a distance greater than the length of an ahupuaa. Puupuukaamai was another great warrior. His long pololu spear was made from the koaie14 wood, a very hard wood growing in the mountains. This spear was so long that it could be served as a wind break, and it could also be used to dam a stream; it could kill twelve hundred men at one stroke. All these three warriors were fighting on the side of Wanua, the king of Hamakua.

When Palila arrived at Kaula he took up the game of rolling the calabash which was played on the highway. He never once left the place and was known by everybody that passed along the highway as a man who did nothing else. In the battles that were being fought, a great many of the men of the army of Hamakua were being killed that no one could account for. This was carried on for many days and still no one could tell who was doing the killing. In the conflict, however, some of the men often heard a voice calling out:

The call was the only thing the men could hear; they were not able to see the person for he traveled at such great speed. The people had a suspicion, however, that it was Palila himself; but when the matter was discussed a good many said that it could not be Palila for he does not go to battle; all he did was to roll the calabash on the highway; he does not appear to be a soldier and he has not been seen going from place to place. At the battle that was fought at Kukaiau in Hamakua, Palila at last showed himself before the people and the chiefs of the two contesting armies, and also before the three great warriors Moanonuikalehua, Kumunuiaiake and Puupuukaamai.

In the conflict it was seen that the soldiers in the Hamakua army were stronger than those in the Hilo army and a great many Hilo soldiers fell before the men of Hamakua. In the din and uproar the voices of the three great warriors were often heard boasting and calling out: “What great soldier will fight for the Hilo side?”

When Palila heard this boastful challenge from the three great warriors, he requested of Kulukulua, the Hilo king, to order that the general conflict be stopped and [152]to put up the two best men from the two sides and let them fight, the side putting up the best man to win and in this way decide the battle. When this was agreed on by the two kings, the soldiers were lined up on the two sides, leaving a clear field in the middle for the contestants.

As soon as the field was cleared off Moanonuikalehua came forward with his war club, Koholalele, and began twirling it on the right and on the left; on each occasion Palila did not make a move, but as Moanonuikalehua kept on twirling, Palila held out his war club, Huliamahi, which struck the club of Moanonuikalehua, sending it flying to Waipio. At the same time Palila brought his club down and then up, catching the three warriors and killing them all. Palila then proceeded to cut out their lower jaws. After this was done he began the slaughter of the Hamakua men and allowed none to escape him. This victory made Kulukulua, the king of Hilo, master of Wanua, the king of Hamakua.

After the battle Palila and the king returned to Kaula and from there to a rise above where a large lehua15 tree was standing. He then hung up the jaws of all the men killed by him, and the tree was named Kahakaauwae, the hanging place of the jaws. Palila after this became the king of Hilo, while Kulukulua served under him. Palila was king until his death. [137]

Legend of Puniakaia.

Nuupia was the father and Halekou the mother of Puniakaia.1 The land of his birth was Kaneohe. The parents of Puniakaia were of the royal blood of Koolauloa and Koolaupoko. Puniakaia was a very handsome man and had not a single blemish from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. He was erect, front and back, and so on the sides. While Puniakaia was living with his parents, a desire to go fishing came upon him, so he accompanied his mother to the beach and they went fishing. The kind of fish caught by them was the kind called pauhuuhu,2 but only one. This fish was brought home alive and was saved by Puniakaia; being fed and taken care of until it grew to be a very large fish; and to it was given the name of Uhumakaikai.3 This fish was the parent of all the fishes. After Puniakaia had brought up Uhumakaikai until it was full grown, he turned it into the ocean, free from all confinement.

Some time after this a proclamation was issued calling everybody to go out fishing, and amongst those who obeyed the call was Puniakaia. When the fishermen arrived at the fishing place, Puniakaia called upon Uhumakaikai in the following manner:

As soon as Puniakaia ceased calling, Uhumakaikai was seen to be driving all the fish to Puniakaia; the fish reached from way down deep in the sea to the surface, and they were driven clear up onto the sand. Upon seeing this the people began taking up the fish; some were salted, some given away to the people, and so on, from the Makapuu point to the Kaoio point at Kualoa. With all this great number of people taking the fish, still there was a large number left, there being so many; and the people had to leave a great many behind and the pigs and dogs ate of them. Rumors of this great catch were soon carried to the hearing of Kaalaea,4 a very beautiful woman, who had no equal in all the land of Koolau; she was just like Puniakaia [very pleasant] to look upon. [156]

RELATING TO KAALAEA.

When the news of the great catch of fish came to Kaalaea, she and her ten brothers boarded their canoes, each taking one, making eleven canoes, and went to the place where the fish were being collected. When these canoes landed, Kaalaea went up on the sand and sat down and did not go about from place to place; but just looked on as the men and women helped themselves to the fish.

While she was sitting there Puniakaia saw her and was captivated by her beauty and quiet demeanor, not at all like the other women; so he said to his mother, Halekou,5 “Say, Halekou, I am going to secure that woman for my own, because she is very beautiful, without blemish, and in all respects my equal.” Halekou gave her consent, saying: “Yes, she shall be your wife, for you two are alike in looks and behavior, therefore you go and ask her.”

When Puniakaia came to the presence of Kaalaea, he asked the woman that she become his wife. Kaalaea gave her consent to this. Puniakaia then said to her: “When we get to my mother, don’t be backward but go and sit on her lap.” When the two came to Halekou, Kaalaea went and sat on the lap of her future mother-in-law. After a little while Halekou ordered the men to load the ten canoes with fish, and this was done; not only the ten canoes but several others also were filled, and this property was distributed as gifts to the people. Halekou began to contribute gifts to Kaalaea, as was the custom6 of those days. Nuupia then did likewise, and then Puniakaia; those three brought offerings to Kaalaea. In giving the various gifts, great heaps of them, Kaalaea on her part gave only herself, still it exceeded that of all three. After the giving of gifts, Kaalaea returned to her place with her brothers and her parents.

Sometime after this Puniakaia asked of his mother that he go and live with his wife. His mother replied: “My son, listen to what I have to say: You are going to the home of your wife to live, but you will be insulted and you will return here in a very short time.” After this Puniakaia went to the home of Kaalaea his wife, where they lived as husband and wife. At meal times it was customary with the brothers-in-law of Puniakaia to prepare the meal, then send for Puniakaia and make him sit on their lap while they fed him. This was carried on for some time; all Puniakaia did was to eat and sleep and never left his wife.

One day while the two were in bed, an aunt of Kaalaea’s, together with several others, came into the house where the two were sleeping. These people were on their way to catch crabs. While in the house, the aunt said: “Wake up, Puniakaia, and let us go crabbing. What do you do, any way? Just sleep, and when you get up clean your eyes and catch flies and eat?” While the aunt was speaking, Puniakaia was listening through the soft mantle that covered them; the aunt did not know this, however, for she thought he was asleep.

This angered Puniakaia and he was sore displeased; and when his brothers-in-law came home he would not speak to them nor go to eat food with them as before. [158]Because of this action of their brother-in-law they were very sad and pondered as to the reason of such action. Puniakaia, on the other hand, did nothing else but sleep day and night for over twenty days. Thinking that the matter would terminate seriously, the brothers-in-law of Puniakaia called the people together, men, women and children, and asked each and every one of them, who it was that had insulted their brother-in-law; but no one could answer the question. Failing in this Puniakaia was requested to tell them the person who had insulted him. Puniakaia then revealed the person’s name, saying: “The person who insulted me is the aunt of my wife, and not my wife. One day while we were in bed, the aunt with several others came into our house and said: ‘Say, Puniakaia, get up and let us go crabbing, for what can you get by sleeping? Only to get up, clean your eyes, catch flies and eat?’ While she was speaking, I was lying down, but I could see and hear through our thin mantle. This is the reason why I am sad and unhappy.”

When the brothers-in-law heard this, they ordered that the aunt be put to death.7 After this order was carried out, Puniakaia returned to his own home. When he came in his mother’s presence, she asked him as to the reason of his return; he then told her everything relating to the treatment received by him while living with his wife. When Halekou heard this, she wept and said: “It is even as I said to you, that you were to be insulted in the home of your wife, and now you have seen it for yourself.”

After living with his mother for a few days, Puniakaia decided to go to Kauai to make a visit; so he started out until he came to the Kaena point, at Waianae, where he met some men who were lashing their canoe for a trip to Kauai. Puniakaia upon coming up to these men, asked them: “Where are you going with this canoe?” “To Kauai.” “Can I go with you?” “And why not? The canoe is yours.”8 The reason why these people allowed Puniakaia to go to Kauai with them was because he was such a handsome looking man.

On coming to Kauai they landed at Wailua, where a high chiefess was living. When she saw that Puniakaia was such a handsome looking man she began to give him presents of great value and after a while she even proposed that she become his wife. All this time, however, she had a husband already,9 who was then living at some distance on the other side of Kauai.

Some time after Puniakaia had been living with this woman, he went down one day to the beach accompanied by the woman and there saw two men preparing to go out fishing. Upon coming up to the fishermen, Puniakaia asked them: “What kind of fishing are you two going out for?” The two replied: “Oio10 fishing; but the most we will ever catch will be about eight, not very many.” Puniakaia said: “Yes, I will be the one who will get you all you want, from the ocean to the land, from the bottom of the sea to the top and the people will not be able to carry away all the fish; they will salt some and the pigs and dogs will eat their full and a lot will be wasted.” The two men then said: “You are deceiving us. We have lived here all our lives and have never seen so much fish.” [160]

In this discussion the husband of the woman, who had accompanied Puniakaia to the beach heard it and so said: “Make a wager against him.” Wagers were then made; but Puniakaia said: “Say, I am not going to wager my bones against worthless articles. If I must wager my bones I want to wager them against four large pieces of land; one for my back; one for my front; and two for my sides.” This was acceptable, and fifteen days were allowed Puniakaia in which time he must catch the amount of fish boasted by him.

After the agreement was made, Puniakaia lived on for eleven days without once making a move about catching any fish. On the eleventh day, however, he saw a canoe being prepared to sail for Oahu, manned by men from different districts of Oahu; some were from Waianae and some were from Kaumakapili. When Puniakaia saw this he said to the men: “When you get to Waianae, those who belong to that place remain there; then I wish you two who are going to Kaumakapili to go up Nuuanu and when you get there look down to Kaneohe. You will see my house with the door open. Go down to it and when you find my mother, Halekou, tell her that her son, Puniakaia, has sent her word to go and call his fish Uhumakaikai to urge forward the fish to Kauai, because in three days the time allowed him to catch a certain amount of fish would expire; and failing to get this fish he will be killed by being cooked in an umu.”

After Puniakaia had made this request the canoe set out and on the evening of the same day the canoe reached the harbor of Kou. On this voyage the friends of Puniakaia, Keaumiki and Keauka,11 assisted the canoe, hence its quick arrival. Also, the men who belonged to Waianae, knowing that the request was urgent, decided to continue on instead of stopping at their destination.

When they arrived at Kou,12 they left the canoe there and proceeded up Nuuanu, where they looked down toward Kaneohe and they saw the house with its open doorway as described by Puniakaia. The men then proceeded on down to the house and found Halekou the mother of Puniakaia sitting on some mats. The men extended their greetings and Halekou returned the same. Halekou then asked the men: “What has brought you here?” The men replied: “We have come on the request of a boy by the name of Puniakaia.” When Halekou heard this, she wept as well as the chiefs and common people, and said: “We thought that Puniakaia was dead; but we see now that he is still alive. What has he requested you to do?” “He told us that we come and tell you that you go and call for his fish, Uhumakaikai, and request that it drive some fish to Kauai; because Puniakaia made a wager with the king of Kauai, that in fifteen days he could catch a certain amount of fish, and that if this amount of fish was not caught within this given time, Puniakaia would be killed. Now this is the twelfth day and we have only three days left if Puniakaia is to be saved.” When Halekou heard this, she said: “I am afraid the fish will not obey my call; for he is the only one that could make the fish do his bidding; but I shall go and try.”

Because of this kind deed performed by these people, Halekou gave unto them a large piece of land, together with one house full of kapas, one house to eat in, one [162]house for fish, and one house for them to sleep in. Upon receiving these gifts the men decided to live there and to abandon their old homes and at the same time they vowed that they would live and die serving Puniakaia.

Halekou after this went out accompanied by the chiefs, until they came to the pool where Uhumakaikai made its home. This pool is at Nuupia to this day. Halekou then called out: “Draw along, draw along, draw along the fish, Uhumakaikai; from Kona and Koolau to Kauai where your master Puniakaia now is. Don’t be slow, don’t wait, else your master will be cooked in the umu.” At the close of this call, the sea was seen to be disturbed and Uhumakaikai passed below Halekou. She then took up the fish, kissed it and allowed it to go again. Halekou then said: “Make haste, else your master will die.”

This was the fourteenth day and there was yet left but one day, when Puniakaia would be killed, for the umu, the wood, the stones and the covering were ready. On the approach of daylight the next day, the fish were seen coming to Kauai by way of Kona and by way of Koolau, until both schools met at Wailua. Puniakaia on this last day went down to the beach accompanied by the Kauai woman; and they went and sat on the seashore to wait for the arrival of Uhumakaikai.

During the night, however, Puniakaia dreamed a dream in which he heard the remark: “Uhumakaikai is coming. Why did you leave me behind and go alone to a strange land? You do not love me. If I did not hear of your trouble, you would have been killed?” After he woke up he found that he had been dreaming so he became sleepless, wondering what the dream meant. After studying for some time a feeling of affection came upon him for Uhumakaikai.

After the night was spent and the dawn of the new day began to break, Puniakaia came out of the house and looked toward the sea, when he saw the surface as well as the lower portion of the sea brown with fish. Shortly after this Uhumakaikai passed below him; he then reached down, took it up and hugged and kissed it. Then he said: “Yes, I did not intend to leave you behind; I came with the idea of making a tour of sightseeing around Oahu, and then go back to you; but instead I came to Kauai and came near not being able to see you again. Had you failed me I would have been killed.”

Puniakaia then released Uhumakaikai and the fish began to come ashore at Wailua. The fish covered the sand and extended some distance into the sea. The people of Wailua and the king who made the wager saw the fish and they agreed that Puniakaia had won. Puniakaia then gave the whole of Kauai to the owner of the canoe that had brought him to Kauai, who then became the king. Puniakaia and his Kauai queen then returned to Oahu. [155]

Legend of Maniniholokuaua and Keliimalolo.

Maniniholokuaua was a man noted for his great strength and fleetness of foot; he lived in Molokai. He was without equal in the carrying of great heavy objects such as canoes and other things. Keliimalolo on the other hand was the greatest runner on the island of Oahu, he being able to make five complete circuits of Oahu in one day; he had no equal on that island as a runner.

Maniniholokuaua lived at Kaunakakai in Molokai, while his lizard grandmother lived in the uplands at a place called Kalamaula, in a large cave which served her as a dwelling place. It was Maniniholokuaua’s custom to steal and carry away to the cave all the canoes and other valuables from the strangers who landed at Kaunakakai.

Keliimalolo of Oahu once upon a time, desiring to visit Molokai, set out in his best canoe taking with him his nets, plenty of food and all other things necessary for the visit, and landed at Kaunakakai, Molokai. As he landed the people of the place called out to him: “Say, Keliimalolo, bring your canoe and leave it in the canoe shed, otherwise it will be stolen by Maniniholokuaua, the boy who steals and carries away canoes.” Keliimalolo then replied: “How can he get away with my canoe, is he a fast runner?” With these words Keliimalolo went to a pool of water, disrobed, left his clothes on the edge of the pool and jumped in for a wash.

Soon after this Maniniholokuaua arrived and approached the canoe. He then patted the sides of the canoe and said: “My canoe, my canoe. I will own this canoe, I will own this canoe.” Keliimalolo answered: “Leave my canoe alone; don’t take it. Leave my canoe alone; don’t take it.” While Keliimalolo was talking, Maniniholokuaua lifted the canoe on his back with everything it contained and ran off at great speed. Keliimalolo upon seeing this came out of the water and chased after the thief; but he was not able to catch up with Maniniholokuaua. As soon as Maniniholokuaua arrived at the cave, he called out: “Open up, O cave.” The cave opened and Maniniholokuaua entered with the canoe. As soon as he was within, he again called: “Close up, O cave,” and the mouth of the cave was closed. No sooner than this was done when Keliimalolo arrived on the outside of the cave and began feeling for an opening; but after hunting in vain he returned heavy hearted.

Because of this loss of his canoe, he immediately returned to Oahu and soon after set out for Kauai, in search of some one who would be able to return him his canoe. He wished to get a good runner. On this trip to Kauai he first landed at Mana; after he landed he carried his canoe ashore and went for a swim. Upon coming to the pool he disrobed and jumped in. Just as he got into the water, Kamaakamikioi and Kamaakauluohia arrived from Niihau. They were the sons of Halulu. These two men were noted for their fleetness and could make ten circuits of Kauai in one day. Being very swift they could run on land and sea and from the earth to the skies. They were greater runners than either Keliimalolo or Maniniholokuaua. As soon as they arrived at the pool they picked up the malo of Keliimalolo and ran away with it. Keliimalolo got out of the pool and started to chase the two to try and recover his malo; but he could not catch up with them. The two ran out onto the sea, on the surface, and when at some distance from the shore they stood and looked at Keliimalolo. Keliimalolo [166]then called out to them, saying: “You two come ashore and let us be friends.” After the two had come ashore Keliimalolo said to them: “You two will be the means of restoring to me what I have lost.” He then related to them his trip to Molokai and how his canoe was stolen by Maniniholokuaua. After the two had listened to the narrative, they said to Keliimalolo: “You return to Oahu and in the nights of Kane, we will come. When you see two narrow pointed clouds hanging in the horizon make sure that the clouds are ourselves and we will come soon after that.” The two then asked Keliimalolo: “Let us all make a circuit of Kauai in one day.” This was consented to by Keliimalolo.

Early the next morning they set out on their trip around Kauai. Kamaakamikioi and Kamaakauluohia soon made their first round and overtook Keliimalolo who was still in the course of finishing the first ahupuaa. The two made another round and again overtook Keliimalolo, who was in the second ahupuaa. They made ten rounds of the island of Kauai by evening of the same day; but Keliimalolo was not able to make one round. They were indeed great runners, having no equal. That night they retired together, and on the next morning Keliimalolo set out on his return to Oahu, where he awaited the arrival of his two friends.

On the approach of the nights of Kane, Keliimalolo saw two pointed clouds hanging in the horizon; and very soon after this Kamaakamikioi and Kamaakauluohia arrived. They then boarded a double canoe and set out for Molokai. At dawn of that morning they arrived at Kaunakakai and carried their canoe ashore; at the place where Keliimalolo left his canoe on his previous visit. They then set out for the pool to take a bath. While the canoe was still in mid-ocean, Maniniholokuaua looked and saw a canoe approaching; so said to his grandmother, Kalamaula: “There is my canoe, there is my canoe.” Kalamaula replied: “You must not attempt to steal that canoe as I have a premonition that the sons of Halulu of Niihau are on that canoe. If they are on that canoe we will be killed. I have no regrets for myself for I am old; but I am sorry for you, for you are yet young.”

Maniniholokuaua then set out for the landing. When he got to the place where the canoe was lying, he patted the sides and said: “My canoe, my canoe.” Keliimalolo upon seeing Maniniholokuaua said to his friends: “There is the boy.” Keliimalolo then called out: “Leave my canoe alone; you must not take it.” Heedless of the call, Maniniholokuaua took up the canoe, placed it on his back and ran off at the top of his speed. Kamaakamikioi then said: “I am going after that fellow. If you see a fire burning, it is a sign that I have killed him; you may then come up.” As Maniniholokuaua was almost up to the cave, Kamaakamikioi caught up with him. Maniniholokuaua then called out: “Open up, O cave,” and Kamaakamikioi thereupon called out: “Close up, O cave.” No sooner than the cave was opened it immediately closed again catching Maniniholokuaua and the canoe in its jaws, killing Maniniholokuaua. Kamaakamikioi then called out: “Open up, O cave.” The cave opened and he entered in. He found Kalamaula and she was killed. When he looked about the cave he saw that it was filled with canoes of every description and many things of great value. He then went out of the cave to light the fire, and when the people saw it they all came up to the cave and carried away the valuables; but the people of the whole of Molokai were unable to carry away all of the things in the cave. [165]

Legend of Opelemoemoe.

Kalauao in Ewa was where Opelemoemoe1 made his home. This man performed some very extraordinary things, things the like of which had not been seen before him nor since. He could keep asleep from the first day of the month to the end of the month; but if a thunder storm occurred he would then wake up; otherwise he would keep on sleeping for a whole year. If he should be walking along the road and should become sleepy, he would then sleep without once getting up, until it thundered, when he would get up and would stay awake for days and nights at a time, in summer and in winter. So would it be if he was out in the ocean; if he fell asleep, he would sleep in the sea until it thundered, when he would wake up. He was without equal in his extraordinary behavior.

Once upon a time Opelemoemoe set out from Kalauao for Puukapolei, where he fell asleep. He slept for a period of nearly ten days; it perhaps lacked two days, when a couple of men arrived from Kauai, who were on their way in search of a human sacrifice for the temple of Lolomauna, at Pokii, Kauai. These men upon seeing Opelemoemoe tried to wake him up, but in this they were unsuccessful. They then carried him on their backs to Pokai,2 at which place their canoes were moored, placed him in the canoe and carried him off to Kauai. After landing they again carried Opelemoemoe and placed him on the altar in the temple of Lolomauna, together with a pig, some bananas, some coconuts and some awa. During all this time Opelemoemoe never once awoke from his sleep. It was noticed that his body did not decay like the rest of the things that were placed on the altar; for the bananas, the pig, the fish and the awa all rotted. Opelemoemoe was then left on the altar until one day it thundered, when he awoke and found himself tied hand and foot. He then untied himself and got down from the altar.

From the temple he went off until he came to Waimea, where he married and settled down. One day he asked his wife for a piece of land to farm on; so the wife pointed out to him certain patches; at sight of the land Opelemoemoe asked that he be given some larger farm lands so that he could cultivate them. Upon getting the lands from his wife he began tilling both day and night until the lands were all cleared and planted.

One day Opelemoemoe felt sleepy, and said to his wife, Kalikookalauae: “I am falling off to sleep, so don’t attempt to wake me up. If our friends should come don’t disturb me; if fortune should come do not awaken me; if you should be in danger, don’t arouse me; and don’t ever complain, but just leave me alone and don’t wake me up, for I have placed a kapu over it.” Opelemoemoe then fell off to sleep. This sleep was continued for ten days,3 and still another ten days. At this extraordinary length of time taken up in his sleep, Kalikookalauae said to herself: “How strange this is! I had no idea of the length of time you were going to sleep, but I see you sleep like a dead person.” She then tried to wake him up; she shook him, poured water in his eyes, made [170]some noise and still he slept on. She then called for her brothers, Popoloau and Kawaikoi, and her servants Poo and Mahamaha, to come in. When they arrived she said: “The chief is dead; let us wrap him up and carry him off and cast him into the sea.” The brothers and men then did as they were told, and cast him into the sea. Opelemoemoe slept on as though he was on land, never once moving. In this sleep the fish came around and ate his skin.

After some months had lapsed, during which time Opelemoemoe slept on at the bottom of the sea, a thunder storm came up and Opelemoemoe awoke. When he looked about him, he saw that he was at the bottom of the sea, all wrapped up and bound with cords. He then sat up and began to untie himself, and after he was free from the cords he came to the surface and swam ashore. He had no skin, he was covered with sores and was unable to walk; so he crawled to a pig pen where he sat down; from this place he crawled to another house where a priest was living who gave him some medicine and treated him until he was well. He then went back to his wife and they lived on as formerly. After the lapse of certain periods of tens of days, his wife conceived a child.

At about this time Opelemoemoe said to his wife: “I am returning to Oahu and I want you to keep this my word. If you should give birth to a boy, give him the name of Kalelealuaka; and if after he grows up he expresses the desire to come in search of me let have this token,4 a spear.” The wife lived on by herself until she gave birth to a boy to whom she gave the name of Kalelealuaka. She brought him up until he was big. He was a great mischief-maker and would often urinate in the calabash of food and such other mischievous acts. Because of this, his step-father often punished him; when Kalelealuaka would run off to his mother crying and would demand of her that she tell him of his father. The mother would then tell him that he had no other father than the one who was living with them. As this was continued for some time the mother at last told him, saying: “Yes, you have a different father; he is in Kalauao, Oahu, in the district of Ewa, in the village of Kahuoi; his name is Opelemoemoe.” Kalikookalauae then handed Kalelealuaka the spear left by Opelemoemoe as the token by which he was to recognize his son.

Kalelealuaka then left Kauai and set sail, first landing at Pokai, in Waianae, and from there proceeded overland to Kalauao, Ewa, and then to Kahuoi. When he came to the house which had been pointed to him as the home of Opelemoemoe, he found that he had gone out farming, so he continued on to the taro patches where he found Opelemoemoe planting taro. Kalelealuaka then stood on the edge of the patch and called out: “Say, your rows of taro are crooked.” Opelemoemoe then began to straighten out the rows, row after row; but the boy would call out the same thing. Finally Opelemoemoe said: “How strange this is! Here I have been doing this right along and my rows were never crooked, but today, they seem to have all gone crooked.” He thereupon quit working and went to the edge of the patch where Kalelealuaka was standing; when he got to the edge of the patch he said: “Whose offspring art thou?” “Your own.” “Mine by whom?” “Yours with Kalikookalauae. I am Kalelealuaka, your son of Kauai.” They thereupon returned to the house. [169]

Legend of Kulepe.

Kulepe was a great deceiver and in all he said he showed great cunning. He was also a great thinker. Kulepe was of Oahu and lived in the time when Peleioholani was king. Halakii was the wife of Peleioholani, and Kaneaiai was the name given to the king’s double canoe. Kulepe once upon a time set out from Oahu and landed at Kalaupapa in Molokai and proceeded to the first house seen by him, where he found the people eating with their heads bowed down, and who never looked up to see who the stranger was. Kulepe was hungry and this was the reason why he called at this house. After standing by the door for some time he looked in and then remarked:

At this the people without raising their heads said: “Is Peleioholani then your king?” “Yes,” answered Kulepe, and continuing he said: “He is the king and we are his soldiers.”

After a while Kulepe again called out: (He did this with the hope of being able to get the people to invite him to sit down with them and take some food, without asking outright for the food.)

These words of Kulepe were meant for themselves, on account of the way they gormandized the food and fish; of the fingers dipping the poi and raising them aloft, while the dishes were loaded with fish, that only the dark color of the hair was manifest as their heads were bowed, and of their eating and then whistling. These were his words of comparison:

At the end of this begging chant2 by Kulepe, those within invited him to enter; so he went in and took some food. The fellow, however, had never lived with Peleioholani, neither was he a soldier. He had not even lived anywhere near the king; but through his great cunning he pretended that he had so as to get something to eat. He was indeed artful. Very few people in these islands can compare with him. [173]

Legend of Kihapiilani.

Kihapiilani was one time king of Maui. It was he who caused the road from Kawaipapa to Kahalaoaka to be paved with smooth rocks, even to the forests of Oopuloa in Koolau, Maui. He also was the one who built the road of shells on Molokai. Lonoapii, a boy was the first-born; then came Piikea, a girl; then Kihawahine, another girl (who is now spoken of as the lizard god Kihawahine); then came Kihapiilani, the youngest, a boy; there being two boys and two girls.1 At the time of this narrative Lonoapii was the king of the whole of Maui; and Piikea was the wife of Umi, the king of Hawaii.

Kihapiilani lived with his brother, Lonoapii, in Waihee. One day two calabashes of salted nehu2 were brought to Lonoapii, which he gave out to everybody except Kihapiilani. That being the only fish to be had, Kihapiilani reached over and took some out of the calabash. This action displeased Lonoapii so much that he took up the calabash and threw the fish and brine into the face of Kihapiilani. At this Kihapiilani rose up and went away from the place, accompanied only by his immediate attendant, until they came to Kula, where they made their home. They took to farming and planted eight large fields of potatoes, using but one load of tops to cover the whole area.

After a time Kihapiilani journeyed to the place where a priest named Apuna was living, and said to him: “I have been insulted;3 a dish of brine has been thrown into my face. Will you tell me the proper thing to do?” The priest replied: “I cannot do anything for you; but go you to Koolau, at Keanae, and there Kahoko will tell you what to do in the matter; tell him your story.” The priest then asked that, in case the insult were avenged he be given the land of Kula. Kihapiilani replied: “Yes, it shall be yours.”

When Kihapiilani arrived in the presence of Kahoko at Keanae, he said to him: “Say, I have been insulted; a dish of brine was thrown into my face. Tell me what to do in the matter.” Kahoko replied: “I cannot do anything for you; but I will advise you what to do. Go on your way until you reach Kauwiki, where you will find Lanakila, who will instruct you what to do.” Kahoko asked that in case he should gain his object that he be given the land of Koolau. Kihapiilani replied: “It shall be yours.”

When Kihapiilani arrived at Kauwiki, he found Lanakila, to whom he told just what he had told the other priests. Lanakila then said: “I am not able to carry out your desire; but I will advise you what to do in the matter. Here is a canoe; here are the men; there is Hawaii where the clouds are hanging over like a mantle; take that dark object as your guide and follow it.” Lanakila then in turn asked for the land of Hana. Kihapiilani replied: “Yes, it shall be yours.” [178]

Kihapiilani then left Kauwiki and set sail for Hawaii, landing at Umiwai in Kohala, where he slept, and the next day set forth on his way, a large number of people following him, for he was a very handsome man and was therefore taken by some of them for a friend. From this last place he continued on his way as far as Lamakee, in Kaauhuhu, where he rested; from this place he went on to Laaumama, in Ohanaula, where he was taken in by a chief of that place, Kapuaikahi by name. After partaking of a well served meal he continued on to Waiaoopu in Halaula, where he took a drink, thence to Puaiole, in Aamakao, where he went in bathing; from this place he journeyed to Waikuaala, at which place he took another drink, then continued on to the cliffs of Kaenaokamakaohua, and on down the Pololu valley, pushing on to Honokane and to the cliffs of Kuukuunaakaiole, at which place his friends were afraid of the sharks; but Kihapiilani plunged into the sea, forcing his friends to follow, and together they swam around the inaccessible cliffs at this place. In swimming around these cliffs, Kihapiilani was but following the instructions given him by the priest Lanakila, to follow the dark object which he saw at sea.

After passing the cliffs at this point they swam on to Kakaauki, then to Elelu; and from this place on to Laupahoehoe, where they spent the night. On the next day they pushed on to Waipio and from there to Kapulena, in Hamakua, where they spent the night; from this place they continued on to Kaumoali, to Kaala, to Kaula and on to Laupahoehoe in Hilo, where they slept that night. He discovered that Umi and his wife Piikea were living here; arriving at the house he went in, and being unable to contain himself he wept copious tears. Upon seeing this Umi asked him: “Which one of us is related to you? Is it I, or is it her?” Kihapiilani replied: “It is your wife.” At this Piikea said: “I don’t understand you.” Kihapiilani said: “Lonoapii was the first, then came Piikea, then Kihawahine and then Kihapiilani. I am Kihapiilani, your youngest brother.” Piikea then fell upon him and wept, after which she ordered Umi to prepare food and meat and set them before his brother-in-law. He and his friends then sat down and ate till they were satisfied.

Umi asked him: “What is the object of this journey that brings you here?” Kihapiilani replied: “I am seeking for some one to avenge me, for Lonoapii threw brine into my face. This is the cause of my coming here.” Umi then turned to Piikea and asked: “What are we to do regarding this request of the chief?” Piikea replied: “Fulfill it, since he has crossed the seas.” Umi then sent out his messengers to carry his orders around the island of Hawaii, that canoes be hewed out. After a number of ten-day periods, the work was finished and his army set sail for Maui. This voyage was known as the sailing of the numberless canoes. The sea from Kohala to Kauwiki was covered with canoes. When the first canoe reached Kauwiki the last canoe was still at Kohala. The canoes were then fastened together in twos and in this way the men walked instead of sailing for Maui, the canoes being a regular road.

In the army of Umi was a man by the name of Piimaiwaa who was a friend of Umi’s, as well as Omaokamau another friend, and also Koi an adopted son. These three men were Umi’s greatest warriors. [180]

Hoolae, a chief who had charge of the fort on the top of the hill called Kauwiki, had a great wooden image hewed out, Kawalakii by name, and placed it at the top of the ladder leading to the top of the hill. In the day time his men fought from the top of the hill, and at night the wooden man was made to stand up. This wooden man was a huge thing and in appearance looked just like a man. He held a large war club in one hand. One night, as this image was stood in place, Omaokamau with a number of men under him climbed the hill; but when they came in sight of the wooden man they were frightened. This occurred perhaps three nights.

By means of this big wooden man those on top of the hill were for a time secured from attack, as the soldiers of Umi were afraid to climb the hill in the night. Piimaiwaa therefore questioned Omaokamau as follows: “How does the man stand? Does he turn around? Does he change his war club to the left hand?” “No,” said Omaokamau. “He faces but one way and holds his war club in the same hand always. He does not at all twirl his war club.”

That night Piimaiwaa took up his war club and proceeded on his way to the hill. After climbing it he at last came to the big man, Kawalakii. There the man stood right above him, but Piimaiwaa fearlessly climbed the ladder, and when he was within a few fathoms of the big man, he twirled his war club, Heleleikukaemakuu, first above, then sideways, then downwards and at last made a swinging motion. In all these motions the big man stood in one position and made no attempt to swing his war club. By this Piimaiwaa made sure it was but a wooden man. He therefore approached it and tapped it with his club, and sure enough it sounded like wood. Piimaiwaa then understood the reason why the wooden man was put at the head of the ladder at night; it was to secure peace and safety on the hill of Kauwiki during the night.

On this night the chiefs and the soldiers of Hoolae, the officer in charge of this fort, were slain, but some of them fled. Piimaiwaa followed Hoolae until he caught him on the eastern side of the mountain of Haleakala where he was killed. War was carried on in general all over Maui until finally Lonoapii was captured at Waihee and killed by the men of Umi.

After the battle and the conquest of Maui, Umi, being the conqueror, gave the island over to Kihapiilani, his brother-in-law, and Kihapiilani took possession and became the king of Maui. It was in his reign that the roadway from Kawaipapa to the forests of Oopuloa was made and paved with smooth rocks. It was also in his reign that the road on Molokai was made and paved with shells instead of rocks. The name of Kihapiilani has therefore been made famous by these roads he built.

After the settlement of all the lands under Kihapiilani was accomplished, Umi returned to Hawaii. The expedition by Umi was termed the expedition of numberless canoes, and is now known as one of the foremost events of ancient Hawaiian history.

This story gives an idea of the benefits that come to one who travels along patiently like Kihapiilani, and the evils that will surely follow the footsteps of those who act like Lonoapii. [177]

Legend of Hiku and Kawelu.

Keahuolu was the father and Lanihau was the mother of Hiku, a boy. These people once lived in Kaumalumalu in the district of Kona, island of Hawaii. Hiku lived with his parents in the uplands of Kaumalumalu until he was grown up. He was of very handsome appearance and was very pleasant to look upon. After he was grown into manhood he left home one day and started down towards the lowlands with his sugar-cane arrow called Pua-ne. While he was engaged in the game of arrow-shooting with the boys he sent his arrow flying in the air and it went buzzing over the head of a bald-headed man, then over a sore-eyed man and then over a lame man, passing over three ahupuaa1 in its flight, until it dropped at the place where a young girl, by the name of Kawelu, was living. When the arrow struck the ground, Kawelu was sitting outside the house, so she ordered one of her attendants to bring the arrow to her; after she looked at it she hid it.

Kawelu was a young girl and was very beautiful. She was without blemish, and was of very high rank, being the daughter of a high chief who lived at some distance away. She was at this time living with her attendants.

Hiku in his desire to find his arrow arrived at this place and asked of Kawelu if she had seen his arrow which he thought had fallen somewhere near her. “No,” said Kawelu. Hiku said: “I saw my arrow drop here.” “We have not seen your arrow,” replied Kawelu. Hiku then said: “If I call for my arrow by its name it would make answer.” “Please do so,” continued Kawelu. “Pua-ne, Pua-ne,” called out Hiku. “Yes,” answered the arrow. “There you are, you two have hidden my arrow.” Kawelu then called out to Hiku: “Come and get your arrow.” As Hiku reached for the arrow, Kawelu grabbed his hand and pulled him into the house. As Hiku entered, Kawelu ordered her attendant out, after which they plighted their vows. This was kept up for five days, when Hiku became very hungry, for Kawelu went and took her meals by herself without asking Hiku. On the sixth day, as Kawelu went out to the eating house to take some food, Hiku rose and went up to his home at Kaumalumalu.

When Kawelu came back after her meal she discovered that Hiku was not in the house, so she went out to look for him; as she came out of the house she saw him climbing the heights of Puukuakahi. Kawelu then started after him, calling her husband to come back; but Hiku refused to come back saying: “I will not return, for I was made to feel hungry in your house; go back.” When Kawelu reached the top of Puukuakahi, Hiku had reached the top of the heights of Puukuakolu, and this distance between them was maintained until Hiku had reached the heights of Puukuaumi and Kawelu on the heights of Puukuaiwa. At this place Hiku called out for the maile vines, the ie vines, the ohia trees and all the different kinds of vegetation to creep over and to grow up in the pathway behind him, thus closing the way to Kawelu. She, however, upon [184]coming to the place where the different vines had tangled up her way, struggled on, tearing her pau and other garments and receiving scratches all over her body. At this Kawelu chanted her love to Hiku in the following lines:

Kawelu wept bitter tears upon finding herself thus abandoned, and after a while again chanted:

In this chant of Kawelu she voiced her intention of giving up the idea of again looking for Hiku, her lover, and of going home and strangling herself, and thereby go down to dwell with Milu4 in the under world, as in the last line of her plaint.

Hiku continued on his way until he arrived at his parents’, where he again lived with them. His love for the vanished twilight of Kona,5 Kawelu, however, kept growing stronger and ever stronger, until it was more than he could bear. He finally decided to return to Kawelu as soon as he could forget her ill treatment of him.

Kawelu after voicing her intent returned home and said to her attendants: “I am going to sleep and I don’t want you to wake me up, nor to hear any disturbances. I shall awaken when I feel like it.” Upon entering the house she laid down as though to sleep and strangled herself to death. After a day and a night had gone by, the people began to grow restless about Kawelu, so they opened the door and entered the house. Upon looking at Kawelu they saw her tongue hanging out; she was quite dead.

The people mourned for her many days, the people of Kona joining in, for they all loved Kawelu. After the time of mourning was ended the people went up to the mountains for timbers, for the purpose of building a house in which to place her corpse. While on this mission some of the people went up as far as the place where the parents of Hiku were living, and they were asked as to the object of their mission. They replied: [186]“We have come for house timbers for our young chiefess, who is dead.” “What is her name?” “Kawelu.”

The men then returned; while Hiku, who was lying down, rose and came to ask his parents, saying: “What were you talking about out there with those men?” “Kawelu is dead, and they came up here for timbers to build a house in which to place her dead body. That is what the men said.” When Hiku heard this he wept sorely, for he loved Kawelu. After a while Hiku asked his parents if he could go and get Kawelu; the parents replied: “Go to the priest and tell him your wish.” Hiku then rose and went to the priest and told him of his intention of going in search of Kawelu. To this the priest replied: “Go and get much kowali vine, then go out to mid-ocean and let down one end of the vine into the sea, for your wife is now in the possession of Milu. It is possible the spirits may all have a desire to take a ride on the swing, then you will be able to get Kawelu; but you must first rub yourself all over with old decayed kukui nut.”6

Hiku did as he was instructed by the priest, and after collecting all the kowali vines he could get, he took a double canoe and paddled out to mid-ocean; he then lowered one of the kowali vines into the sea, and taking another vine he lowered himself down. Just as he was going over the side of the canoe he told the men: “When you feel a jerky motion, haul up the vine.” Hiku then lowered himself down and when he reached the lower world he began to swing himself on his vine.7 When the people of the lower world saw Hiku swinging himself back and forth, they all wanted to have a ride. Kawelu was by the side of Milu. The spirits then called out: “Say, you ill-smelling spirit,” but Hiku paid them no attention. The spirits were all anxious for a ride on the swing and were also taken with the chant Hiku was singing:

By these actions of Hiku they all jumped on the vine and began swinging back and forth. Milu could not keep himself away, so he too took a ride, leaving Kawelu all by herself. Hiku on seeing this invited Kawelu saying: “Here is our swing, come and ride with me.” “I will not ride with you for you smell bad.” Hiku replied: “I will cover myself over with my mantle and you can sit on me.” At this Kawelu consented and she jumped and sat on Hiku, and they began to swing back and forth. While Kawelu was enjoying herself, Hiku pulled on the vine, so those on the canoe began to haul it up. Just as they were about to reach the surface Hiku held on to Kawelu very tightly and held her so until they got into the canoe, and from there on to the house.

When they reached the house where the dead body of Kawelu was lying, Hiku pushed the spirit of Kawelu into the body from the feet. After the spirit had gone as far as the knees, it came back as it was afraid of the body for it was decaying. Hiku, [188]however, kept on urging the spirit up into the body, and he did this for some days until it finally entered the body, then on to the breast, then to the throat and at last Kawelu crowed like a rooster. After this she was taken up and warmed until Kawelu was restored to life8 and was again herself.

The two from this time on again took up their thread of life where they had left it and lived on as husband and wife. [183]

Legend of Kahalaopuna.

Manoa in Oahu is the land in which Kahalaopuna was born; and Kahoiwai is the place on which the house stood. Kauakuahine1 was the father and Kahoiamano was the mother. Kahalaopuna was a young and beautiful girl, a virgin; she was good to look upon and was a favorite with her people. Some time before, her parents had promised her to Kauhi, a man of note who was at this time living with Kakuhihewa, the king of Oahu. Kauhi belonged to Koolau and he lived at a place called Alele.

When Kauhi heard that the parents of Kahalaopuna had given their consent to their engagement, he began to collect and to send her all manner of good things. After the lapse of certain ten-day periods (anahulu) he, however, found something against her, and it came about in this way. Some people who were desirous of seeing Kahalaopuna put to death, while on their way from Manoa to Koolau, upon meeting Kauhi made up a slanderous story2 against her in the following manner: “How strange indeed was the behavior of your intended wife, Kahalaopuna! She went dancing two nights now, and on each night had a separate lover.” When Kauhi heard this from these men, he said to himself: “I shall indeed kill her for she has taken all the good things from my lord which I gave her. She has now gone and defiled herself.”

Kauhi then came up to Manoa and found Kahalaopuna, and asked her to go with him to Pohakea, a place above Ewa lying close to the Kaala mountain. While on their way, she meditated within herself as to the probable cause of this journey. In going they took the upper road where people seldom passed, passing along Pauoa3 and Waolani,4 then along upper Kalihi and so on to Manana,5 where they spent the night. In all this traveling the hands of Kahalaopuna were bound with a cord by Kauhi and consequently her skirt (pa-u) became unfastened and trailed on behind, she being unable to fasten it properly as her hands were bound.

On the next day they resumed their way until they came to Pohakea,6 then on [190]up to a large lehua7 tree, where Kauhi called Kahalaopuna to come near to him. Thinking that the call boded no evil she went up to him, but no. As she stood in front of Kauhi, he said: “Lie down.” Kahalaopuna obeyed. Kauhi again said: “I am going to kill you for you have taken the property of my lord, which I gave you, and have allowed yourself to be defiled.” Kahalaopuna answered: “My husband, for you are indeed my husband, I am not defiled; you must not kill me.”8 Kauhi then broke off a lehua branch and struck Kahalaopuna with it; two and three times he struck her, when Kahalaopuna chanted the following lines:

Kauhi again said to her: “You shall not live, for you have allowed yourself to be defiled by another.” Kahalaopuna answered: “I am not defiled, and I cannot see any reason why you should beat me thus.” Again Kauhi beat her until she was almost dead, when Kahalaopuna again chanted:

At this Kauhi again prepared to strike her with the stick to kill her. In her last faint cry she said: “My love to you. Let me kiss you, my husband, ere I depart from this life. Tell our parents of my love for them.” Kauhi then said: “Why do you give your orders when you are thus about to die? I shall kill you.” With that he struck her with the stick and killed her. Kauhi then dragged the dead body and laid it under the lehua tree, covered it over with leaves and ferns, fixed it so that it could not be seen and returned to his home. The spirit of Kahalaopuna flew to the top of the lehua tree and called out in a chant:

Kahalaopuna saw the company of people as they were passing along the road, which was the reason why she chanted. At the close of the chant the people stood and listened, uncertain whether it was the voice of people, the wind, or the squeak caused by the rubbing together of trees.

After a while Kahalaopuna chanted a second time, which made the people know that it was the spirit of a dead person; so they continued on their way until they arrived at Manoa, where they informed the parents of Kahalaopuna of what they had heard. Upon hearing this the parents arose and went to the place where their daughter had been killed. When they arrived at Pohakea, they looked for the lehua tree where the body was hidden. At last they found it and they took up the body and with it they returned to Manoa, where they worked over it until she was restored to life and assumed her former self.9

The news of this restoration of Kahalaopuna to life was carried to Koolau and to the hearing of Kauhi, who came up to see for himself, to pay her a visit and to beg to be loved again; but Kahalaopuna would not listen to him. This is the nature of this legend.

Legend of Uweuwelekehau.

Ku was the father and Hina was the mother of Uweuwelekehau, and Wailua, Kauai, was the land [of their birth]. Olopana was the first-born, then Ku came next, and the last of the family was Hina,1 a girl. They lived in Wailua as chiefs and rulers of Kauai. After a while Olopana became displeased with Ku, so Ku set out and journeyed to Piihonua, Hilo, Hawaii, where he made his home. In this journey Hina, the sister, followed Ku, as she was much attached to him, and thus left Olopana in Kauai by himself.

After they arrived at Hilo, Ku in accordance with the old custom took Hina to be his wife,2 as he was of too high a rank to take any other woman to wife; and they became the king and queen of Hilo. Their bathing place was at the pool called Waianuenue. In course of time Hina conceived and gave birth to a male child, who was called Uweuwelekehau. At the birth of the child a great storm swept over the land; the thunder roared, the earth was shaken by a great earthquake, the lightning flashed, the rivers and streams were overflowed, the wind blew and the rain came down in torrents.3 [194]

After Uweuwelekehau was grown up into manhood it was seen that he was very handsome and pleasant to look upon. He was always accompanied by his two gods, Kane and Kanaloa. His bringing up was surrounded by many restrictions; his house was sacred, people not being allowed to pass near it upon pain of certain death.

In the meantime Olopana lived on in Kauai, and he too in course of time was blessed with a child, a girl, who was called Luukia. Upon hearing that Hina had given birth to a male child, Olopana made oath that his daughter should marry no one except Uweuwelekehau. Olopana then commanded the people of Kauai that Uweuwelekehau when he comes shall come in a red canoe, having red sails, red paddles, accompanied by large and small men in large and small canoes. When they see such a man come with these different things,4 then it is the sign of the great chief.

One day near the month of October while Ku and Hina were living in their home, they were possessed with the desire to go up the Wailuku river for oopu and shrimps. In this expedition they took all their servants along with them leaving Uweuwelekehau alone with his attendants. After his parents had departed on their way up the stream Uweuwelekehau set out for the Kalopulepule river to sail his canoe. As he was in the river a small cloud appeared from the sea and came on up till it stood directly above the Wailuku stream when it came down in the form of rain, flooding the whole country and causing the stream to flow in a rush to the ocean, carrying Uweuwelekehau along in its flood. This carrying away of Uweuwelekehau by the flood was caused by Kane and Kanaloa. After he was thus carried out to sea some one went up and informed Ku of the matter and he and his company returned home and a search was made, but the boy could not be found. The parents then mourned for the boy.

While in the sea Uweuwelekehau was changed into a fish through the power of Kane and Kanaloa, and by them taken to Kauai and left in a crevice in the rocks near the shore where the fish of Luukia was generally caught by her attendant, Papioholoholokahakai. The fish into which Uweuwelekehau was changed was of the kind called moa,5 a short stubby fish.

Early the next morning when Luukia awoke from her sleep she told her attendant, Papioholoholokahakai, to go down and catch her some fish for breakfast, as there was none ready for her morning meal. Papioholoholokahakai took up his net and proceeded to the beach. After three casts of his net he found that he had caught nothing. Thinking that his charge would get angry with him he again made another attempt, when to his delight he caught a small stubby fish, and upon closer inspection he saw that it was a good fish. He then took the fish and placed it into a calabash with some water and proceeded home. When he arrived in the presence of Luukia, he handed her the calabash which contained the fish. Luukia looked at the fish and was made glad by the shape of the fish and took and gave it to her servants with the order that it be given good care.

After the lapse of one day, on the second day, while Luukia and her attendants were asleep, the fish transformed itself into a human being, through the power of Kane [196]and Kanaloa. When Luukia and her attendants woke up they saw a handsome young man coming to them and immediately Luukia fell in love with him, for he was indeed very comely and pleasant to look upon. Luukia called Uweuwelekehau to come closer, whereupon they came together, though they did not know each other, for Kane and Kanaloa disapproved of their living together at this time.

While they were living in this way, Olopana heard that Luukia was living with a husband; so he became very angry because of the promise he had made, that Luukia should have no one else but Uweuwelekehau for her husband [not knowing that this very person was the man of his choice]. Olopana then gathered all the people of Kauai and ordered them to come before him to hear what he had to say about Luukia and her lover, and to see for themselves who he was. As soon as the people came together in his presence, he asked Luukia: “Which would you rather have, the husband or your father?” “I will take my husband,” said Luukia. Olopana then ordered his chief officer: “Take off everything from Luukia and leave her naked; also take off everything from her husband except his malo.” Olopana thought they were deserving of this ill treatment because his daughter had disobeyed him. Olopana then told the people of the whole of Kauai not to take these two into their homes nor give them food or clothing. He also commanded that they go to Mana and live, a place of spirits; no human beings lived there.

Luukia and Uweuwelekehau therefore left Wailua and journeyed to the land to which they were commanded to go and live. When they reached the plains of Lihue, Luukia began to weep and to show signs of complaint against her father for forcing her to go naked. When Uweuwelekehau saw this he said: “Don’t weep; have patience until we reach that hill, where you will find a pa-u.” When they arrived at the hill, they found several pa-u and all manner of kapas, which furnished them with all their wants and thus covered their nakedness. After they left the place Luukia again began weeping because she was hungry. Her husband then said to her: “Have a little patience until we reach that hill, Kahoaea, where we will find food and meat.” Upon arriving at the hill they found food and meat which they ate until they were satisfied. From this place they continued on their way until they came to Mana, where they made their home.

Mana, as has been said, was the land where the spirits lived; no human beings lived there; no food of any description grew in the place; the only things that grew in the place were wild shrubs and weeds. It was also a place avoided by people, lest they be destroyed by the spirits, and it was for these reasons that Luukia and her husband were sent here.

During the night, as they slept, a house was built over them, food was provided, animals were brought to the place and all their needs were supplied them. When they woke up the next morning Luukia was surprised to see these different things. The two lived on in peace in the place from this time on.

When the fishermen who were out in their canoes saw the light burning they came ashore and were entertained by Uweuwelekehau, food and meat were given them as well as kapas and other things. Through his great kindness he stole the hearts of [198]these people who came to Mana, causing many of them to come and live there, and through their labor turned the waste land into a rich and comfortable place. By this time these doings were reported to Olopana who was still at Wailua. In order therefore to see these things for himself and also to make up with his daughter and son-in-law, for news had also come to him that this person was Uweuwelekehau himself, because the latter had informed his wife and the people in Mana as to his identity, Olopana set out for Mana, with the purpose not only to make up, but to make his son-in-law and daughter the king and queen of Kauai.

The news of Uweuwelekehau being alive and in Kauai was not by any means confined to that island alone, but it was also carried to Hawaii and to Ku and Hina. They therefore came to Kauai with their servants, in large and small canoes, having red sails, red cords, red paddles, red seats, red bailing cups and red men, and with everything needed for the voyage.

When the people from Hawaii arrived they were met by a great host of people at Mana and great festivities were had. That night for the first time were the two covered by the same kapa, for Kane and Kanaloa were pleased to remove the kapu placed over their charge.

Uweuwelekehau and Luukia were at this time declared the king and queen of Kauai. Among their first acts to commemorate their great fortune were the planting of the grove of coconut trees at Kaunalewa and the building of the temple of Lolomauna.

This is the end of this legend.6

Legend of Kalaepuni and Kalaehina.

CHAPTER I.

RELATING TO KALAEPUNI.

Kalanipo and Kamaelekapu were the father and mother of Kalaepuni and Kalaehina. Kalaepuni was the elder and Kalaehina was the younger. They were born and raised in Holualoa, Kona, during the reign of Keawenuiaumi, king of Hawaii. Regarding Kalaepuni: he was a very mischievous boy and one who was without fear. At the age of six he was able to whip all his playmates and his strength developed from that time on until he reached the age of twenty years, at which time Kalaepuni became famous1 over the whole of Hawaii for his great strength. At twenty he determined to kill all the young chiefs of Hawaii,2 those who were of very high blood as well as those of low blood, both big and small, even the mere sucklings. In his plan to [200]kill all the chiefs he did not intend to kill Keawenuiaumi, because, as he reasoned, Keawenuiaumi was already well on in years. But Keawenuiaumi3 was afraid of Kalaepuni and he made his plans to escape and to get out from the presence of Kalaepuni.

Shortly after the events narrated above, Kalaepuni went out fishing with some of Keawenuiaumi’s fishermen to the fishing grounds outside of Kalahiki; they went out shark fishing. After some of the bait was thrown out the sharks began to gather under the canoe, when the baited hooks were let down and several sharks were caught and hauled into the canoe. While Keawenuiaumi’s men were hauling the sharks up, Kalaepuni jumped out amongst the sharks that were gathered under the canoe and began to fight them,4 killing them all. After killing all the sharks, Kalaepuni began boasting, saying: “Henceforth I shall use my hands as hooks for catching sharks and shall make all sharks as dust in my hands.”

After they had been fishing for some time they returned and landed their canoe at Honaunau where a large kou tree was standing. This was a very large tree requiring three men to span its girth. Kalaepuni, however, took hold of the tree and pulled it up by the roots5 as though it was but a blade of grass, so resistless was it. After pulling up the tree he again boasted, saying: “I am going to turn my hands into an axe for the cutting down of trees for canoes in Hilo.”

Because of these feats of great strength shown by Kalaepuni before the king, Keawenuiaumi became more and more afraid of him and he went and hid himself in a place back of the Hualalai mountain, between Maunaloa and the Kona mountain. The place after this became famous because it was here that Keawenuiaumi lived in hiding, near the Ahu-a-Umi6 as can be seen to this day, lying back of the Kona mountain and in the eastern part of that district.

Before Keawenuiaumi went off to hide himself, he left word with one of his servants, Maunaloa by name, as follows: “I am now on my way. If Kalaepuni comes while you are here, tell him that I am dead.”7 The servant consented to do this. Keawenuiaumi then departed on his way to the place mentioned above. After the departure of Keawenuiaumi, Kalaepuni arrived at the house and asked Maunaloa as to the whereabouts of the king. Maunaloa answered that the king was dead. Kalaepuni then took charge of the whole island of Hawaii and he reigned as king in place of Keawenuiaumi.

While Keawenuiaumi was in the mountain he one day said to his high priest,8 Mokupane: “You must invoke the gods for the death of Kalaepuni that I may again reign as king of the whole of Hawaii.” Soon after this request of the king was made, Mokupane the priest sent two forties of men to Kahoolawe on canoes to dig a well9 ten fathoms in depth and to place large rocks around the mouth of the well. The name of [202]the land where they were to dig the well is known as Keanapou and it is there to this day. After the well was dug and the rocks put in place, an old man and his wife were placed in charge of it; they were fisher folks.

When the two forties of men were ready to return to Hawaii, Mokupane the priest instructed the old couple, saying: “If a very large man with locks of hair that are as long as a bunch of olona10 should come while you two are here, that is the man for whom this well has been prepared and here he must die. When he comes give him all your fish so that after he shall have eaten the fish he will be very thirsty. When he asks of you for some water don’t give him any, but direct him to this well.” After these instructions were imparted by the priest, he and the men returned to Hawaii, where the priest began to invoke of the gods for the death of Kalaepuni.

Soon after Mokupane began on his prayers it was reported all over Hawaii that great schools of sharks were being seen daily at Kauhola off the coast of Kohala. When this was reported to Kalaepuni he at once entertained a strong desire to go to Kauhola and have some sport with the sharks, as it was his chief delight to kill them.

After Kalaepuni had arrived at Kohala and set foot at Kauhola he saw a large number of people gathered at the place looking at the sharks. When Kalaepuni saw them he jumped in and began to fight the sharks, killing a good many of them. While Kalaepuni was busily engaged in his fight with the sharks he did not notice how he was being carried away from land by a strong current into the channel of Alanuihaha.11 After being in the sea for three nights and three days he landed at Keanapou12 in Kahoolawe. When he reached the shore he looked about him and saw a small house, near by, to which he then went. Upon arrival at the place he looked and saw an aged couple who greeted him, which greeting he returned. The old people then asked him: “Did you come from the sea?” “Yes,” said Kalaepuni. “I have been three days and nights in the sea before I landed here.” Kalaepuni then asked the old people: “Have you any food?” The old people said: “No, there is no food in this place. The only food that you can get in this place is what is brought here in canoes. When any one comes from Honuaula13 or Ukumehame,13 then we get food. The only food that grows here is the kupala.”14

Kalaepuni then looked up and saw a shelf with some fish being put out to be dried and asked: “Who owns that fish?” “We do,” answered the old people. Kalaepuni then asked them: “May I have some fish?” The old people then gave him all the fish and Kalaepuni began to eat them until he had finished the whole lot. Kalaepuni then asked: “Is this all the fish you have?” The old people said: “We have two calabashes of pickled ones left.” Kalaepuni then took the fish from the two calabashes and devoured them all. After this Kalaepuni became very thirsty and so asked of the old people for some water. The aged couple then said: “We have no water. The only water we have here is the salt water. Fresh water can only be had after a rain storm; but salt water is our only water; it is in a well.” After this Kalaepuni went and climbed down the well to take a drink. [204]

While Kalaepuni was drinking the water in the well, the old people began to roll down the rocks that were around the mouth of the well. After the back of Kalaepuni was covered with rocks he would move and the rocks would roll off; but the two kept on rolling the rocks until the well was almost filled up, without killing Kalaepuni. In all this Kalaepuni still kept on drinking and as the water was covered over with the rocks he could get but very little.

When Kalaepuni saw that the two were bent on killing him he called out: “I am going to kill you two.” He then began to turn and twist out of the rocks until he had freed himself. When the old people saw that they would get killed if Kalaepuni could get to the top, the old man ran away. When the old woman saw this she called out: “Are you going to run away? Is it not best to continue the fight until the enemy is killed? Do you suppose that you could save yourself by running? You will get killed if you run and you will get killed if you stay, for with this great strength none will ever escape.” With all this the old man kept on running and he never once turned back. The old woman, however, kept on rolling down the rocks till one happened to strike Kalaepuni on the head killing him.

CHAPTER II.

Relating to Kalaehina.

We can see in the above story that Kalaepuni must have been a very brave and fearless man and also that he was very powerful. In this chapter we will speak of his younger brother Kalaehina.

Before the death of Kalaepuni at Keanapou, on Kahoolawe, and while he was still king of Hawaii in place of Keawenuiaumi, he ordered the people from one end of Kona to the other to go with Kalaehina and haul down canoes at Kapua, a place in South Kona next to Kau. In this expedition Kalaehina was placed in charge. There were as many canoes as there were minor districts in Kona. When they arrived at the place where the canoes were lying, there were six of them, there being six minor districts in Kona, Kalaehina then said to the people: “Ye servants of my older brother, Kalaepuni, hear me: the district that will get its canoe down to the shore first, its people shall be the favorites of Kalaepuni.”

Upon hearing this the people of the respective districts then began to haul the canoes until they came to a cliff about six yards high at a place called Nawaahookui15 where all six canoes got stuck fast, not one being able to get down to the beach. Therefore the people left the canoes where they were and returned to Kalaepuni. When Kalaepuni saw the people he asked: “Where are the canoes?” Kalaehina replied: “We hauled them until we could not get them past a certain place by a cliff and we have left them there all stuck fast.” When Kalaepuni heard this he became very angry at his younger brother and said to him: “Did I not put you over all the men? Why did you not make them carry out my orders? You must therefore go and haul them down by [206]yourself. The rest of the people shall not go to assist you, and if you will not be able to get the canoes down you shall be a sacrifice for the temple.”

When Kalaehina heard the command given him by his older brother he was much frightened, for he believed that he was unable to get the canoes down. He, however, began to study the matter and all that night and the next day he spent in making plans as to how to overcome this most difficult matter. After at last hitting on a plan he went up to the place where the canoes were lying, took a look at them and proceeded to Kau. When he arrived in Kau he deceived the people, saying: “Ye people of Kau, the king, Kalaepuni has given me orders to tell you to go and haul the canoes down to the beach.” When the people heard this they all started for Kapua. Upon arriving at the place, the people lifted up the canoes, carried them to a place from where they could be dragged to the beach and placed in the sea; five of them were then paddled to Keauhou, where Kalaepuni was stopping, while Kalaehina followed behind with the other canoe on his back, coming by the upper road to Kainaliu. When Kalaepuni saw this he praised his younger brother for being so strong.

When the day of celebration of Kalaepuni arrived the king displayed his brother’s strength in the presence of all the people. Kalaehina took up one of the six canoes and threw it into the sea as though it was a spear, without much effort. A few days after this Kalaehina saw the king’s chief steward chopping firewood, he picked up a stick of wood and struck it with his head, breaking the stick into small bits, thus making the hard ohia appear as nothing.

When Kalaepuni saw how strong Kalaehina, his brother, was, he said: “My younger brother, we are indeed fortunate because of our great strength. I have become king of Hawaii through my great strength, now I think it well of you to go to Maui and kill all the offspring of the chiefs of that island so that you can reign16 in place of Kamalalawalu.” Kalaehina agreed to this request of his brother. At the close of the kapu days set apart for the sacrifices of the temple in Hawaii he set sail for Maui.

When Kalaehina arrived at Hana, Maui, the people at the time were engaged in games of strength and skill of the king of Maui, Kamalalawalu, at the hill of Kauwiki. Great crowds of people were gathered and the kapu sticks separating the king’s palace from the people were put up. When Kalaehina saw them, he took them down17 and boldly entered into the place reserved for the king. When Kamalalawalu the king saw these doings of Kalaehina he ordered the people to jump on Kalaehina and kill him. As the people were about to place their hands on him, he swept them off their feet as though they were but ants, killing a large number of them.18 At sight of this great strength, Kamalalawalu was so afraid that he escaped to a pool of water at Waianapanapa19 which lies in Honokolani, Hana, and this pool of water is there to this day.

Kalaehina then became the king20 of Maui and he reigned in the place of Kamalalawalu. This fact was reported from Hawaii to Niihau and his great strength and succession as king of Maui was the one topic of conversation.