MEMOIRS
OF THE
BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP MUSEUM
OF
POLYNESIAN ETHNOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
VOLUME V
HONOLULU, H. I.
Bishop Museum Press
1918–1919
FORNANDER COLLECTION
OF
HAWAIIAN ANTIQUITIES AND FOLK-LORE
THE HAWAIIANS’ ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THEIR ISLANDS AND ORIGIN OF
THEIR RACE, WITH THE TRADITIONS OF THEIR MIGRATIONS, Etc., AS GATHERED
FROM ORIGINAL SOURCES
BY
ABRAHAM FORNANDER
Author of “An Account of the Polynesian Race”
WITH TRANSLATIONS EDITED AND ILLUSTRATED WITH NOTES BY
THOMAS G. THRUM
SECOND SERIES
Memoirs of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
Volume V
HONOLULU, H. I.
Bishop Museum Press
1918–1919
CONTENTS.
PART I.
Preface.
Legend of Kawelo.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. His Birth and Early Life—Change to Oahu and Fame
Attained There 2
II. Kalonaikahailaau—Kawelo Equips Himself to Fight
Aikanaka—Arrival at Kauai 20
III. Commencement of Battle Between Kawelo and the People
of Kauai 38
IV. Kaehuikiawakea—Kaihupepenuiamono and Muno—Walaheeikio
and Moomooikio 42
V. Kahakaloa—His Death by Kawelo 48
VI. Kauahoa—Kawelo Fears to Attack Him—Seeks to Win Him
by a Chant—Kauahoa Replies 52
VII. Size of Kauahoa—Is Killed by Kawelo—Kawelo Vanquishes
Aikanaka 56
VIII. Division of Kauai Lands—Aikanaka Becomes a Tiller of
Ground 60
IX. Kaeleha and Aikanaka Rebel Against Kawelo—Their
Battle and Supposed Death of Kawelo 62
X. Temple of Aikanaka—How Kawelo Came to Life Again—He
Slaughters His Opponents and Becomes Again Ruler of
Kauai 66
Story of Pakaa.
His High Office—Laamaomao, His Wind Gourd—In Disfavor with
the King He Moves to Molokai—Has a Son Whom He Instructs
Carefully—Dreams of Keawenuiaumi Setting Out in Search for
Him—Prepares with His Son to Meet the King 72
Legend of Kuapakaa.
I. Prepares to Meet Keawenuiaumi in Search of Pakaa—
Canoe Fleet of Six District Chiefs, Recognized, are
Taunted as They Pass—Keawenuiaumi, Greeted with a
Chant, Is Warned of Coming Storm and Invited to
Land—On Advice of the Sailing-masters the King
Sails on 78
II. Kuapakaa Chants the Winds of Hawaii—The King,
Angered, Continues on—Winds of Kauai, Niihau and
Kaula; Of Maui, Molokai, Halawa—Chants the Names
of His Master, Uncle and Men—Pakaa Orders the
Winds of Laamaomao Released 92
III. Swamping of the Canoes—They Return to Molokai and
Land—The King is Given Dry Apparel, Awa and Food
—Storm-bound, the Party is Provided with Food—
After Four Months They Prepare to Embark 108
IV. Departure from Molokai—Names of the Six Districts
of Hawaii—The King Desires Kuapakaa to Accompany
Him—The Boy Consents Conditionally—Setting out they
meet with Cold, Adverse Winds—The Sailing-masters
Fall Overboard 118
V. At Death of Pakaa’s Enemies Calm Prevails—The Boy
is Made Sailing-master—He Directs the Canoes to
Hawaii—The Men Are Glad, but the King is Sad at His
Failure—Kuapakaa Foretells His Neglect—Landing at
Kawaihae, and Deserted, he Joins two Fishermen—
Meeting a Six-manned Canoe He Wagers a Race, Single
-handed, and Wins—He Hides His Fish in the King’s
Canoe—They Plan Another Race to Take Place in Kau,
Life to be the Forfeit 124
VI. The Canoe Race in Kau—Kuapakaa Offers to Land Four
Times Before His Opponents’ First, and Wins—The
King Sends for the Boy and Pleads for the Lives of
His Men—Kuapakaa Reveals Himself and Pakaa—The
Defeated Men Ordered Put to Death—Keawenuiaumi
Orders Kuapakaa to Bring Him Pakaa—Pakaa Demands
Full Restitution First—The King Agrees, and on
Pakaa’s Arrival Gives Him the Whole of Hawaii 128
Legend of Palila 136
Legend of Puniakaia 154
Legend of Maniniholokuaua and Keliimalolo 164
Legend of Opelemoemoe 168
Legend of Kulepe 172
Legend of Kihapiilani 176
Legend of Hiku and Kawelu 182
Legend of Kahalaopuna 188
Legend of Uweuwelekehau 192
Legend of Kalaepuni and Kalaehina 198
Legend of Kapakohana 208
Legend of Kapunohu 214
PART II.
Legend of Halemano.
I. Halemano, Love-sick Through a Dream-infatuation,
Dies—Is Restored to Life by His Sister Laenihi—
She Visits Puna in Search of Halemano’s Ideal—
Meets Her and Reveals Her Errand—With Tokens She
Returns Home—Halemano Instructed, Sets Out to Win
Kamalalawalu—Abducts Her and Returns to Oahu—
Hookupu in Kamalalawalu’s Honor 228
II. Aikanaka, King of Oahu, Hearing of Kamalalawalu’s
Beauty, Sends for Her—Refusing to Comply with the
Mandate, Aikanaka Sends an Army Against Halemano—
With Wife and Grandmother They Flee to Molokai,
Thence to Kaupo, Kohala and Hilo—Kamalalawalu Taken
by Huaa—Halemano Returns to Kohala—His Wife Follows 238
III. Kamalalawalu Enticed Away—Death of Halemano—Is
Brought to Life Again by Laenihi, His Supernatural
Sister 242
IV. How Halemano Was Restored to Life—Halemano Seeks to
Win His Wife Back—Engaging in a Kilu Contest Is
Victorious—Kamalalawalu Is Supplanted by Kikekaala 244
V. Halemano Returns to Oahu, thence to Kauai—
Kamalalawalu Follows Him—She Leaves and Settles on
Oahu—Huaa and King of Hilo Send an Army to Secure
Her—After a Slaughter of Oahu Forces She Is Taken
to Hawaii 258
Legend of Keaweikekahialii 262
Legend of Hinaaimalama 266
Legend of Maikoha 270
Legend of Namakaokapaoo.
I. Namakaokapaoo Rifles Pualii’s Potato Field—He
Threatens to Behead the Boy but is Killed Instead
—Amau the King Sends a Force to Kill Him—He Slays
Them and the King 274
II. The Subjugation of Hawaii by Namakaokapaoo 278
Legend of Iwa.
Messengers of Umi Obtain Keaau’s Famed Cowries—Keaau Seeks
a Smart Thief to Recover Them—Learns of Iwa, a Boy on Oahu,
and Secures His Aid—Falling in with Umi Fishing with the
Shells, the Boy Dives Down and Cuts Them from the Line—
Reaching the Canoe They Set Out for Hilo—Umi, at loss of
the Shells, Hears of and Finds Iwa, Who Steals Them Back
from Keaau—Is Engaged to Steal Umi’s Lost Axe from the
Waipio Temple, Then Wins in a Thieving Contest Against Six
Experts 284
Legend of Punia.
Punia at the Lobster Cave Finds the Sharks Asleep—Cunningly
he Causes the Death of Ten—Kaialeale the King Shark Alone
Left—Punia Traps It to Enter Its Stomach—Propping Its Jaws
Open He Fires Its Inwards—The Shark Gets Weak and Punia
Bald-headed—Stranded on a Sand Shore, the Shark is cut Open
—Punia Meets a Number of Ghosts—He Traps Them to Their
Death in the Water, Till One Only is Left 294
Legend of Pamano.
I. Pamano Becomes a Famed Chanter—King Kaiuli Adopts
Him and Places His Daughter Keaka in His Care—
Passing Her House He Is Invited to Enter—Koolau,
His Companion, Informs the King—Decree of Death by
Awa Is Passed on Pamano—While Surf-Riding Is Bid to
the Awa Feast—Is Suspicious of Its Portent—His
Spirit-Sisters Remove the Awa’s Intoxicant for a
Time, But Eventually He is Overcome 302
II. Waipu Prepares the Axe for Pamano’s Death—He Is
Buried in a Pile of Cane-Trash—His Spirit-Sisters
Remove the Body and Restore It to Life—They Meet a
Prophet Who Tests His Ghost Character by an Ape
Leaf—Keaka and Koolau—At Kilu Attended by Pamano
and Others, Keaka Recognizes Him by His Chant—He
Declines Relations While Kaiuli, Waipu and Koolau
are Alive—All Three are Killed and Put Into the
Oven 310
Tradition of Kamapuaa.
I. Kamapuaa’s Exploits in Koolau—Escape from Olopana
at Kaliuwaa—Capture at Waianae—The Deposed Priest
Lonoaohi Aids in Overthrow of Olopana 314
II. Relating to Lonoaohi the Priest 322
III. Battle Between Kamapuaa and Lonokaeho—The Second
Battle—Battle Between Kamapuaa and Kuilioloa 326
IV. Fourth Battle, Between Kamapuaa and Pele 332
V. Fifth Battle, Between Kamapuaa and Makalii 342
VI. Relating to Kahikiula and Kahikihonuakele 354
VII. How the Parents Failed to Recognize Kamapuaa,
Which Action Almost Cost Them Their Lives 356
Legend of Kaulu.
Kaulu Seeks His Kind Brother—Encounters Ghosts and Other
Obstacles—He Drinks up the Sea—Awakes Makalii for Aid—
Kaaona Foiled—Shark Kalakeenuiakane—The Sea Restored—Of
Haumea—Lonokaeho of Eight Foreheads Overcome—Mokolii,
the Wizard, Killed 364
Story of Palila.
Palila a Noted Warrior—His Second Battle—Of Olomana and
Palila’s Third and Fourth Battles 372
Story of Piimaiwaa.
Piimaiwaa a Famous Warrior—Sails for Maui—Kawalakii Image
Guard of Kauiki—Piimaiwaa Climbs the Hill, Overthrows the
Image and Is Victor Over Maui’s Forces—Of Imaikalani the
Blind Warrior—Omaokamao and Koi Engage the Sightless Chief
—Omaokamao Learns the Source of Imaikalani’s Strength and
Slays Him 376
Legend of Kepakailiula.
I. Search for a Suitable Wife 384
II. Relating to Kakaalaneo 386
III. The Battle 392
IV. Relating to Kaikipaananea 398
V. Relating to Kukaea 400
Stories from the Legend of Laieikawai.
I. Relating to Aiohikupua—Haunaka 406
II. Kihanuilulumoku—Ulili and Aikeehiale 410
III. Kalahumoku—Battle Between the Dog and Lizard 414
Brief Stories of Ghosts and Cunning.
Relating to Wakaina—Kapunohu 418
Waawaaikinaaupo and Waawaaikinaauao—Lepe 422
Maiauhaalenalenaupena—Kuauamoa 426
Hanaaumoe—Halalii 428
Death of Halalii and Ghosts 432
Eleio—Kanaiahuea 434
Legend of Pupukea.
I. Pupukea and Makakuikalani—Kamalalawalu and
Lonoikamakahiki Surf-Riding—Pupukea’s
Promptness—Dialogue Between Makakuikalani
and Pupukea 436
II. Kauhiakama—Kamalalawalu-Lonoikamakahiki War—
Kumaikeau and Kumakaia—Hill of Hokuula—Numbers of
Men—Pupukea-Makakuikalani Combat 440
Legend of Kekuhaupio.
Kekuhaupio, Expert Spearman—Oulu, Champion Slingthrower—
Kalaiopuu-Kahekili Contest on Maui—Kekuhaupio Contends with
Maui’s Men—His Stand Against Oulu 452
Story of Peapea.
Peapea, Famed Warrior—His Battle and Victory over
Kahahana’s Forces—Kekuapoi of Rare Beauty—Peapea’s
Display of Courage 458
Brief Sketch of Kamehameha I.
His Wars and Celebrities of His Time—Kalaiopuu’s Words to
Kiwalao and Kamehameha 464
Mokuohai, First Battle 466
Kauaawa, Second Battle—Kamehameha’s Great Strength in
Fighting 468
Third War, Kepaniwai 470
Fourth Battle, at Koapapaa—Fifth Battle, Ke-pu-waha-ulaula 472
Sixth Battle, Kaieiewaho—Pihana—Sixth Battle 474
Seventh Battle by Kamehameha—Administration of Kamehameha 476
Chief Kekuaokalani and His Insurgency 478
Of Hema 482
Famous Men of Early Days.
Of Kekuawahine 486
Makaioulu 488
Makoa—Kaneakaehu—Keliimalolo 490
Kamoeau—Pahia 494
Kawaaiki—Kaohele 496
Kahahawai—Uma 498
Napuelua 500
Hawae—Kahauolopua 502
PART III.
Mythical Tales.
The Bones of Pele 506
Legend of the Oopu God 510
Myth Concerning Molokini 514
Pa’upa’u 520
The Flood in Hawaii in the Olden Time 522
A Story of Poo 528
A Story of Ulukaa 532
Story of Puulaina 532
A Legend of Maui 536
Relating to Kekaa 540
A Story of Kauiki 544
A Story of Pumaia 550
A Story of Puupehe 554
A Story Concerning the Fire 560
A Story of Makahi 564
Traditionary Stories.
Relating to the Dead in Ancient Time 570
Story of the Ohelo 576
Indigenous Canes of Hawaii 582
Story of the Bambu 588
The Coconut 590
The Banana Field of Kahuoi and other Famous Places 598
The Stone Adze 604
History of the Awa 606
Building Canoes 610
The Maile 614
History of the Wiliwili 618
The Various Ohias of Hawaii 620
The Mat 626
About the Koa Tree 630
The Kapa of Hawaii in Olden Time 636
Construction of Houses in Hawaii nei 640
Methods of House Construction 648
Story of the Lauhala 656
Some Things in the Bible Similar to Some Things Done
Here in Hawaii in the Olden Time 658
The Days and the Months 662
Concerning the Ti-Leaf 668
The Kukui Tree 670
An Account of the Breadfruit 676
Cultivation of the Taro; Ancient and Modern 680
A Story of Kamehameha 688
A Story of Kawelo.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. Kawelo a Timid Youth—Learns Swimming, Fishing and
Dancing—Covets the Wives of Aikanaka 694
II. Aikanaka Plans to be Avenged—Kawelo Moves to Oahu—
Joins Makuakeke and Captures a Famous Fish—Obtains
a New Wife and is Taught the Arts of Warfare 696
III. Kawelo is Called Back to Kauai to Aid his Parents—
Aikanaka’s Forces Engage Him and Are Defeated—Kills
His Brother Kauahoa 700
IV. Kawelo Loses His Wife to Aikanaka—Plot to Kill
Kawelo and His Ulus—Kamalama, the Last Defender,
Falls as He Calls Kawelo from Surfing—Kawelo Buries
His Friend—Is Stoned to Supposed Death—His
Half-sister Appointed Caretaker of the Body 706
V. Body of Kawelo Placed on the Structure for
Decomposition—Kawelo Revives and is Aided by His
Caretakers—They Agree to Resist the King’s
Emissaries 712
VI. The King, Advised of the Refusal to Permit
Inspection, Sends a Guard to Slay the Caretakers—
Kawelo Assumes Defense of the Hill and Hurls Rocks
upon the Guard till One Only Is Left to Tell the
King of Their Destruction 716
PREFACE.
In this second series of the Fornander Collection of Hawaiian
Folk-lore, with the exception of a few transpositions, as mentioned in
the preceding volume, the order of the author has been observed in the
main, by grouping together, first, the more important legends and
traditions of the race, of universal acceptance throughout the whole
group, followed by the briefer folk-tales of more local character.
A few of similar names occur in the collection, indicating, in some
cases, different versions of the same story, a number of the more
popular legends having several versions.
The closing part of this volume, to embrace the series of Lahainaluna
School compositions of myth and traditional character, it is hoped will
be found to possess educational value and interest.
No liberties have been taken with the original text, the plan, as
outlined, being to present the various stories and papers as written,
regardless of historic or other discrepancies, variance in such matters
being treated in the notes thereto.
Thos. G. Thrum, Editor.
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 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 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:
Say, Maakuakeke,
Fishing companion of Kawelo,
Wake up, it is daylight, the sun is shining,
The sun has risen, it is up.
Bring along our hooks
Together with the fishing kit
As well as our net.
Say, Maakuakeke,
The rattling paddles,
The rattling top covering,
The rattling bailing cup, wake up, it is daylight.
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:
Say, Kawelo-lei-makua, stop.
Say, offspring of the cliffs of Puna,
The eyes of Haloa are above,
My lord, my chiefly fisherman of Kauai.
“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 Uhumakaikai [13] (a marvelous fish);
therefore Maakuakeke said to Kawelo in chant, as follows:
O Kaweloleimakua, hearken!
O offspring of the cliffs of Puna!
The eyes of Haloa are above,
My lord, my chiefly fisherman of Kauai.
“I am here, yes, I am here,” responded Kawelo.
Maakuakeke then said: “Let us return, it is late.” They then returned
and 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:
Say, Kanewahineikiaoha,
Bring the mat of Halahola
And the pillow of Kaukekeha,
And the kapa of Maakuiaikalani
And let us look at the small pointed clouds [16] of the land;
For the small pointed clouds, Kamalama, denote oppression,
For I feel the cold anticipation of coming danger entering within
me.
Consumed, for Kauai is consumed by fire!
Consumed, for Haupu is consumed by fire!
Consumed, for Kalanipuu is consumed by fire!
Consumed, for Kalalea is consumed by fire!
Consumed, for Kahiki is consumed by fire!
Consumed, for the eel has ceased moving, being consumed by the
fire!
For love has brought the fond remembrance
Of Maihuna, parent of Kawelo;
Possibly my parents are dead.
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:
If your parents were dead instead,
You would weep for love of them,
And the water would run from your nose.
But alas, it is my parents that are dead—
The parents of Kawelo.
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 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:
Say, Kaweloleimakua,
Let us land.
Say, offspring of the cliffs of Puna,
The eyes of Haloa [17] are above,
My lord, my chiefly fisherman of Kauai.
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:
Of the first night, of the second night,
Of the third night, of the fourth night,
Of the fifth night, of the sixth night,
Of the seventh night, of the eighth night,
Of the ninth night, they have all gone.
The numerous nights,
The innumerable nights.
The curly hair was born,
The straight hair was born,
The one with the cut hair was born,
The reproachful one was born.
Wake up and inquire. You are caught,
You are killed by the double stranded fish line,
The fish-line of my grandmother;
By her was it braided.
Let the rain return to the eyes of the lehua,
Let the small pointed clouds return to Kahiki
Where they shall indeed remain.
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
Kaweloikiakoo [18] 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:
Of the first night, of the second night,
Of the third night, of the fourth night,
Of the fifth night, of the sixth night,
Of the seventh night, of the eighth night,
Of the ninth night, the nights are all gone.
At the close of the prayer, the storm abated and they continued on
their way. 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:
Hikiula is however sailing off,
With Hikikea, as the canoe sails on its way.
The Ohiki [19] digs its own hole,
The aama [20] runs on the dry land,
The paiea [21] lives in the cracks,
The lobster lives in a large hole,
The eel plays on the waves,
The opule [22] fish go in schools on a cloudy day.
The teeth of the halahala [23] fish show like a cross dog.
I now fondly remember of Auau, of Apehe,
My companions of Ulalena;
For my breast is beating, ye two,
As I remember of our childhood days.
O, how close we were in those days!
The two men then said: “There was nothing like aa in their names; the
names sounded differently.” Kawelo then chanted again as follows:
Kila arrived in the evening;
The thin pig was killed,
And sacrifices were offered to Kaneikapualena
The all powerful god of my grandfather.
The rain and the wind ceased,
Which calmed the raging sea and the rising tide.
They sailed out to sea.
The messengers had crabs for their food,
Kaweloikiakoo and Kooakapoko,
Younger brothers of my mother.
Are they the ones that arrived?
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 playthings [25] 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:
Say, little Kamalama,
My younger brother, my younger brother,
Bring out our small spears,
Our sharp pointed ones.
Kamalama then picked out Kapuaokekau and Kapuaokahooilo, two spears,
and said to Kawelo:
Set your eyes at my spear,
Wink and you will be pierced through.
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:
The points of the spears of Kamalama passed very near to my navel;
Perchance it is the sign of land possession.
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 stroke [26] 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]