It was during the sojourn of Hulumaniani, the prophet, at
Kaiwilahilahi, that Kauakahialii, king of Kauai, with his queen,
Kailikelauokekoa, returned from a wedding tour of the group. A great
assemblage of chiefs and commoners had met to welcome them home with
music, dancing and other festivities.
In relating his adventures the king referred to a meeting with
the mysterious princess of Paliuli, whose beauty, he declared,
was something more than human. The meeting occurred at Keaau, in
Puna. The kahu of the king first met the princess and her companion,
and, when requested by him to favor his royal master with a visit, the
princess informed him that she might possibly comply with his request
the night following. "If I come," she said, "I will give you warning."
"Now, listen and heed," she continued. "If you hear the voice of the
ao I am not in its notes, and when you hear the caw of the alala I
am not in its voice. When the notes of the elepaio are heard I am
getting ready to descend. When you hear the song of the apapane I
shall have come out of my house. Listen, then, and if you hear the
iiwipolena singing I am outside of your house. Come forth and meet me."
And so it came to pass. In the kihi, or first watch of the evening,
resounded the cry of the ao, in the second watch the caw of the
alala, at midnight the chirruping of the elepaio, in the pili of the
morning the song of the apapane, and at daybreak the voice of the
iiwipolena. Then a shadow fell on the door, "and we were enveloped,"
said the king, "in a thick fog, and when it cleared away the princess
was seen in her glorious beauty, borne on the wings of birds." The
name of the divine being, he said, was Laieikawai.
Among the chiefs who listened to this story of the king was
Aiwohikupua, chief of Wailua, who was of foreign birth. He had made
a vow that he would not marry a Hawaiian woman, and, expressing the
opinion that the princess described by the king was a daughter of
other lands, he resolved to make her his wife.
To this end he sought out the late kahu of the king and made
him his confidant and chief officer. They talked of little else
than Laieikawai. He had a vision of her in a dream, and drank awa
successively for many days, in the hope of inspiring a repetition
of the vision. He chanted a mele in praise of the unknown princess,
renewed his resolution to possess her, and then prepared to go to
Hawaii in search of her.
He fitted out two double canoes, with sixteen rowers and two steersmen,
and, when the augurs and soothsayers declared the omens favorable,
on the rising of Sirius he set sail for Hawaii. On his way thither he
stopped at many places, and at length arrived in the harbor of Haneoo,
in the district of Hana, Maui.
A number of surf-riders were amusing themselves on the beach, among
them Hinaikamalama, the famous chiefess of Hana. Aiwohikupua was
smitten with her charms, and accepted her invitation to join the
bathing party in their sports. In turn she became enamored of him,
and invited him to visit her house and play konane--a game resembling
draughts--with her.
When about to begin the game she asked him what he was willing to
wager on his success, and he pointed to one of his double canoes. She
declined the condition, and proposed, instead, that they should stake
their persons. To this he agreed, and, playing, lost the game. To
avoid paying the forfeit he declared that he had made a vow to give
himself in love to no woman until after he had made the circuit of
the island of Hawaii, and admonished her to remain faithful to him
while he was absent.
The chief and his party left Haneoo, and the next day arrived at
Kauhola, in the district of Kohala, Hawaii, where a boxing-match was
in progress. Aiwohikupua was challenged to a contest by Ihuanu, the
champion of Kohala. The challenge was accepted, and in the struggle
Ihuanu was killed.
They next landed at Paauhau, in Hamakua, to witness another
boxing-match. The local champion was Haunaka. He was invited to a
contest with Aiwohikupua, but, learning something of the prowess of
the chief, he declined the conflict. They then sailed for Laupahoehoe,
where the prophet Hulumaniani was still residing.
That evening the prophet was watching the clouds for omens, and
discerned in them that a chief's double canoe was approaching, bearing
nineteen men. The next morning he saw a mist on the sea, and prepared
his black pig, white fowl and bunch of awa. Then followed peals of
thunder, and Aiwohikupua's canoes came in sight, with the puloulou
insignia of a chief; whereupon the prophet offered sacrifices, and
prayed for the chief and himself.
Landing, the chief and prophet embraced, and spent the night together,
but Aiwohikupua did not disclose the real object of his voyage. They
then sailed for Makahanaloa, from which place could be seen the rainbow
over Paliuli. They landed at Keaau, where the people were surf-bathing.
In the evening Aiwohikupua left his men with the canoes, taking with
him only his confidant, the kahu, carrying a rich feather mantle as
a present to the lady of Paliuli. After a long and wearisome journey
through the thick jungle they heard the crowing of a cock, and soon
after came to a clearing, at the farther end of which was the house
of Laieikawai, all covered with the choice yellow feathers of the oo.
Aiwohikupua was amazed and humiliated. Said he: "I brought my royal
feather cloak as a present to her, and behold! it is not equal to the
thatch of her house!" Then turning to his kahu, he said: "I will stay
here no longer. Let us return."
In spite of the remonstrances of his companion, Aiwohikupua returned
to Keaau without seeing Laieikawai, and sailed at once for Kauai. They
did not stop to visit the prophet at Laulapahoehoe. When off the coast
of Hamakua they saw a woman of extraordinary beauty reclining on a
cliff by the shore. She was graceful in every movement, and wore a
snow-white mantle.
They landed and made her acquaintance. Her name was Poliahu, of Mauna
Kea. As usual, the chief began to talk to her at once of love. In
reply she asked him if he had not sworn by the names of his gods not
to marry a woman born on the Hawaiian group, and whether he had not
engaged himself to Hinaikamalama, of Hana. She informed him that,
like himself, she too was of kupua descent and possessed supernatural
powers. She promised to marry him, however, so soon as he could be
released from his oath and would return to claim her. She accompanied
them as far as Kohala, where she exchanged mantles with the chief in
pledge of their betrothal, and then took her departure.
Crossing the channel to Maui, the chief put into the harbor of Haneoo,
but did not land. Hinaikamalama hailed him from the shore, and demanded
the fulfilment of his promise; but he beguiled her by declaring that
he had not yet completed the circuit of Hawaii, having sailed only
along the windward side of it, and that bad news from home compelled
his immediate return to Kauai.
She believed him and was pacified. In the middle of the Oahu channel
he enjoined secrecy on his crew, and then hastened to Kauai, fully
determined to return to Hawaii and secure an audience with the princess
of Paliuli.
Reaching home, he informed his five sisters of what he had seen at
Paliuli, and they agreed to accompany him to Hawaii and assist him
in his suit with the beautiful Laieikawai.
The next day Aiwohikupua selected a fresh crew of fourteen rowers and
two pilots, who, with his sisters and confidential counselor, made
a party of twenty-three in all, and set sail for Hawaii. They were
detained a month at Honuaula, Maui, by stormy weather, but finally
reached Kaelehuluhulu, in the district of Kona, Hawaii. Poliahu saw
their canoes there, and was disappointed when they left for Hilo.
They arrived at Keaau, in Puna, about the middle of the day, and
Aiwohikupua made his arrangements and started inland at once with his
five sisters and trusted kahu. At midnight the party reached Paliuli.
The chief stationed his eldest sister, Maile-haiwale, at the door
of Laieikawai. She sent forth the delicate fragrance of the plant of
her name, which awoke Laieikawai.
"Waka! Waka!" exclaimed the princess.
"Here!" answered Waka. "What wakes you in the night?"
"A fragrance, a strange, cool fragrance, which goes to my heart,"
returned the girl.
"It is not a strange fragrance," said Waka. "It is certainly
Maile-haiwale, the sweet-scented sister of Aiwohikupua, who has come
to ask you to be his wife."
"Pshaw! I will not marry him," was the petulant response of Laieikawai.
Aiwohikupua heard her refusal, and was so thoroughly disheartened
that he proposed to abandon his sisters and return to Keaau, but his
trusty kahu intervened and advised another trial. So the next in age,
Maile-kaluhea, took a position by the door. Her fragrance was different
and more penetrating; but nearly the same exchange of words as before
occurred within the house.
The chief again proposed to leave, but the kahu insisted on trying
the powers of Maile-laulii; but no better success followed.
"Try again," said the counselor, "and if they all fail I myself will
undertake to persuade her."
So Maile-pakaha was sent to the door, but with no better result,
and, speaking loudly enough to be heard without, Laieikawai said:
"Whoever may come, I will not consent to marry Aiwohikupua."
Hearing this, and regarding any further attempt as useless, Aiwohikupua
ordered his sisters to remain behind in the woods as a punishment for
their failure, and started on his return to the coast. The youngest
sister, whose powers had not been tried, called after him and touched
his heart. He offered to take her and leave the rest behind, but she
would not consent to abandon her sisters. One of them chanted a mele
to soften his heart, but he remained obdurate.
He proceeded to the coast, the sisters following as best they could,
and when they saw him and his attendants seated in the canoes and
ready for departure, Maile-kaluhea chanted a touching mele; but he
heeded it not and put out to sea.
The sisters traveled by land and met Aiwohikupua as he was about to
go ashore at Punahoa, but he avoided them by again setting sail. They
then traveled overland to Honolii, where their brother had stopped for
supplies. They watched during the night, and when Aiwohikupua was about
to embark in the morning his sisters drew near, and Kahalaomapuana
chanted a pathetic song, and with so great effect that her brother
invited her into his canoe, placed her on his knee and wept over her.
Ordering his rowers to pull out to sea with his youngest sister, whom
he still held in his embrace, she begged him to return for the others,
and when he refused she chanted a farewell song, leaped overboard
and swam ashore.
The sisters then decided to return to Paliuli, scarcely knowing where
else to go on the island of Hawaii, where they were strangers. Arriving
there, they found shelter in a clump of hala trees near the house of
Laieikawai, the doors of which were kept continually closed. Failing
to attract the attention of the inmates, the sisters concluded to
keep a fire burning at night and to sing by turns--Maile-haiwale the
first night, Maile-kaluhea the second, and so on for four nights;
but no notice was taken of them.
On the fifth night it was the turn of the youngest sister to sing. She
lighted the fire, made a musical instrument of a ti leaf and played
upon it. She did this in the evening and morning watches for two
nights. Laieikawai had never heard the instrument before, and it
delighted her. So she sent her kahu, a hunchback, to first spy out
the musician, and then bring before her the person who was capable
of making such music.
Following the kahu, Kahalaomapuana found Laieikawai resting
on the wings of birds, with two iiwipolenas perched upon her
shoulders. She was kindly received, played before her, and told her
of her sisters. Touched by the recital, Laieikawai ordered a house
to be built for them, and formally adopted them as her companions
and guards. They were fed by birds and lived as in an enchanted bower.
On the return to Kauai of Aiwohikupua from his second voyage he had a
great feast prepared, and all the guests were made drunk on awa. Under
the influence of the liquor Aiwohikupua divulged the secret of his
mission to Hawaii, and told all about his unsuccessful efforts in
seeking to secure an interview with the princess of Paliuli.
Hauailiki, a handsome young chief of Mana, rose to his feet and
boasted that he could achieve without difficulty what Aiwohikupua
had failed to accomplish; whereupon the latter offered to furnish
him with a canoe and men to sail it if he would undertake to make
good his boast, and each made a wager of his lands on the result.
Hauailiki set sail for Hawaii the next day, and on his arrival at
Keaau was greatly admired for his manly beauty. The following morning a
dense fog enveloped the place, and when it cleared away he saw seven
women sitting by the seaside, one of whom was Laieikawai.
To attract her attention Hauailiki for four successive days
appeared before her in the surf, performing many difficult feats
of swimming and diving, but she gave him no heed. On the fifth day
he exhibited his skill in surf-swimming, and won applause from all
but Laieikawai. He then showed himself as a surf-swimmer without a
board. His skill was then recognized by Laieikawai, and she beckoned
him to approach, and threw around his neck a lei lehua, or garland of
lehua blossoms. Immediately the fog settled down, and when it cleared
Laieikawai and her party had left for Paliuli.
Hauailiki and his guide determined to follow the party at once, and,
traveling all night, they reached Paliuli in the morning. Approaching
the house, they were met by Maile-haiwale, the first sentinel, who
ordered them to retire. But they passed her by force, as they did the
second, third and fourth guards, until they met Kahalaomapuana near
the door of the house, resting on the wings of birds. She ordered
them back, threatening that the birds should pick their bones, and
they returned in haste to Keaau.
Undecided what course to pursue, Hauailiki dreamed of meeting
Laieikawai several nights in succession, and at last resolved to
visit Paliuli again and without an attendant. Reaching the spot,
he approached the house by a back path without encountering the
sentinels, and found Kahalaomapuana asleep at the door. He pushed
aside the feather curtain, entered the room, and found Laieikawai
asleep, resting on the wings of birds. He awoke her, and she ordered
him away. He pleaded with her and told her of his dreams, but she
insisted upon his departure. Kahalaomapuana then came to the assistance
of her mistress, and drove the importunate suitor back to Keaau.
Abandoning the undertaking as hopeless, Hauailiki returned to
Kauai. Arriving at Wailua, he was welcomed by a large gathering of
chiefs, and when he had told his story Aiwohikupua generously forgave
him his wager.
Rejoiced to learn that his sisters had become the attendants of
Laieikawai, Aiwohikupua resolved to revisit Paliuli. He assembled
a fleet of twenty double and thirty single canoes, forty peleleus
for his attendants, and a triple canoe for himself and counselor,
and set sail for Hawaii.
Waka knew of the arrival of the fleet at Keaau, and admonished
Laieikawai not to visit the coast. The sisters were put on guard,
and Kahalaomapuana summoned to their defence their terrible patron
god Kihanuilulumoku, a moo, or gigantic lizard.
The night following these preparations Aiwohikupua and his guide made
their appearance at Paliuli. Five tabu sticks, covered with white
kapa, had been set at intervals beyond the house; but the invaders
disregarded them and pushed on, until they encountered Maile-haiwale,
the first sentinel. She ordered them to retire, and sent a bird to
summon the rest of her sisters. The youngest came, borne on the wings
of birds, and drove her brother back, telling him that they were no
longer sisters of his.
Aiwohikupua returned to Keaau, resolved to secure by force what he had
been unable to effect by strategy. He therefore sent up to Paliuli a
detachment of ten warriors, but they were promptly slain by the lizard
god. After waiting for two days he sent another detachment of twenty
warriors, with a competent officer, and all of them shared the same
fate. He next sent forty men, and still other forties, until eight
forties in all had perished.
He next despatched his two swift messengers to inquire about the fate
of his warriors. They met a bird-catcher above Olaa, who told them
of the moo and his dreadful work. Presently they heard the roaring
of the wind and the crash of falling trees, and the monster appeared
in the path before them. They reassumed their bird forms, however,
and escaped by flying.
Aiwohikupua then summoned Kalahumoku, the man-eating dog from Kahiki,
to kill the moo and bring to him Laieikawai; and with the dog he sent
his two bird messengers, to bring him early tidings of the result.
As the two monsters met, a column of fog rose and drifted toward the
sea. This warned Aiwohikupua that the dog had been defeated. Late
in the day the animal returned, badly wounded and with ears and tail
missing, and the whole party set sail for Kauai.
Arriving home, Aiwohikupua thought of his engagement with the
beautiful Poliahu, and began to perform certain expiatory rites to
relieve himself of the oath he had taken not to marry a woman of the
Hawaiian Islands. He then sent his two bird messengers to Poliahu,
to inform her that he was preparing to fulfil his engagement.
By mistake the birds flew to Hana. They inquired for the betrothed of
the Kauai chief, and were directed to Hinaikamalama. They informed
her that three months were to be spent in preparation, and that
in the fourth month, in the night of kulu, Aiwohikupua would come
to claim his bride. These were the words they had been instructed
to speak to Poliahu, but by mistake they were told to another, who
joyously replied: "He remembers, then, the game of konane which we
played together."
On the return of the bird messengers the blunder was discovered,
and they were banished from the court. Then the koae, or tropic bird,
was sent to Poliahu with the same message with which the others had
been entrusted.
Aiwohikupua, relieved of his oath, waited until the 24th day of the
third month, and then set sail in great state, with forty double
and eighty single canoes, and twenty peleleus. On the 11th day of
the fourth month he arrived at Kawaihae, and despatched the koae to
inform Poliahu, who named Waiulaula as the place for the marriage.
To give brilliancy to the ceremony Aiwohikupua dressed his petty
chiefs, male and female, in feather cloaks, and many of his female
attendants in fine mats. He wore the white mantle given to him by
Poliahu, and a red feather helmet. His rowers were clad in fine
red kapas. On the platform of the chief's double canoe was raised
an anu, covered with yellow cloaks, and above it stood the tabu
puloulou. Around this canoe were ten others, carrying musicians
skilled in playing the hula drum and other instruments.
On the day of kulu the three great mountains were covered with snow,
which was the sign promised by Poliahu. On the arrival of Aiwohikupua
and his party at Waiulaula they were met by Poliahu, Lilinoe, Waiau
and Kahoupokane, the three latter being mountain goddesses. The men
suffered from cold but on being apprised of the fact Poliahu and her
friends removed their snow mantles, causing the snow on the mountains
to retire to its usual limits.
Aiwohikupua and Poliahu were then made man and wife. Feasting and
music followed, and the happy pair returned together to Kauai, making
their residence above Honopuwai.
In revenge for their dismissal the banished bird messengers informed
Hinaikamalama of the marriage of her betrothed. Angered at his perfidy,
she persuaded her parents to make a visit with her to Kauai.
There was a gathering of chiefs at Mana, Kauai, to celebrate the
nuptials of Hauailiki and Makaweli. The night was spent in games,
dancing and other pastimes. A game of kilu was in progress. At midnight
Hinaikamalama entered the kilu shed and sat down among the circle
of players. Observing her, Hauailiki requested the mea ume (drawer)
to tell Aiwohikupua to stop the hula kaeke and take part in the game
of kilu, in order to enable him to make her his prize. Accordingly,
when Hauailiki won at the game, the mea ume went around the circle
and threw the maile wreath over him. The wreath was then removed and
placed over the shoulders of Hinaikamalama. She rose to her feet and
requested permission to speak. She asked in whose honor the festival
was being given, and, on being informed of the occasion, requested
Hauailiki to delay the fulfilment of the ume, and then proceeded to
tell her story of the faithlessness of Aiwohikupua.
The story created a great sensation, and the conduct of Aiwohikupua was
universally condemned. Poliahu was enraged and returned to Mauna Kea,
and the chief agreed to fulfil his engagement with Hinaikamalama. The
night of their marriage Poliahu sent the chill of her snow mantle
upon her rival, and she was benumbed with cold. Her teeth chattered,
and it was with difficulty that she could be kept from freezing.
A second time, when she and Aiwohikupua came together, an intense
chill came over her. She was frightened, and inquired the cause. The
chief answered: "The cold is sent by your rival. Betake you at once
to a fire, that you may not perish."
The next day at noon they met, as had been previously arranged. Poliahu
put on her sun mantle, and a scorching heat almost consumed her
rival. Again they met, but were unable to remain together, and
Hinaikamalama unceremoniously left Kauai, without even touching noses
with Aiwohikupua.
Before she left for Maui, however, a kilu game was arranged at
Puuapapai, and Hauailiki, still mindful of his success at Mana,
endeavored to secure the fruits of his victory. But Hinaikamalama
refused to yield, unless the victor would come to Hana in proper
state and formally make her his wife.
During the game Poliahu and her companions appeared in glittering
robes of snow and chilled the assemblage, and the next morning they
returned to Mauna Kea, while Hinaikamalama set sail for Hana.