THE BATTLE AT WAIMEA.—CONQUEST BY LONOIKAMAKAHIKI—DEFEAT AND DEATH OF
KAMALALAWALU.
After the death of Kanaloakuaana by Kamalalawalu, and in obedience to
the statements of the old men for the Maui war contingent to go to
Waimea and locate at Puuoaoaka and Hokuula, Kamalalawalu and his men
proceeded to the locality as indicated by them. The Maui forces
followed and after locating at Hokuula awaited the coming fray. On the
day Kamalalawalu and his men went up to Waimea to occupy Hokuula the
two deceitful old men at the time were with Kamalalawalu. In the early
morning when Kamalalawalu awoke from sleep he beheld the men from Kona
and those of Kau, Puna, Hilo, Hamakua and Kohala had also been
assembled.
Kamalalawalu looked and saw that the lava from Keohe to Kaniku was one
red mass. Kamalalawalu was astonished, because the day before he
observed that the lava was one mass of black, but this morning it was
entirely red with people. Thereupon Kamalalawalu inquired of Kumaikeau
and the others why the lava was a mass of red: “What does red portend?
Does it mean war?” Kumaikeau and the others replied: “Do not think the
red you see is some other red and not what you assume it to be. It is
not war. That red yonder is the wind. The olauniu wind of Kalahuipuaa
and Puako had been blowing in the early morning and when it is very
light and gentle it hugs the lava close. This olauniu wind on the lava
coming in contact with the wind from Wainaualii raises a cloud of dust
covering and hiding the land in the manner you saw yesterday.” While
cogitating to himself, Kamalalawalu concluded to drop the matter on
account of the deceit of the two old men and the loss of confidence in
what Kumaikeau and the others had said, for the reason that the lava
continued to be strewn with people even to the time of the setting sun.
During that night and including the following morning the Kona men
arrived and were assigned to occupy a position from Puupa to Haleapala.
The Kau and Puna warriors were stationed from Holoholoku to Waikoloa.
Those of Hilo and Hamakua were located from Mahiki to Puukanikanihia,
while those of Kohala guarded from Momoualoa to Waihaka.
That morning Kamalalawalu observed that the lowlands were literally
covered with almost countless men. Kamalalawalu then took a survey of
his own men and realized that his forces were inferior in numbers. He
then spoke to Kumaikeau and the others: “Kumaikeau and the rest of you,
how is this and what is that large concourse of people below?”
Kumaikeau and the others replied: “We have never seen so many people in
Hawaii before. Do not think that because of their superior numbers they
will escape us; they cannot, for the reason that their fighting will
have to be from below. It is true they are more numerous, but being
beneath we will defeat them.”
The following day, Lonoikamakahiki went over to meet Kamalalawalu to
confer concerning the war. [304] During their conference Kamalalawalu
proposed to Lonoikamakahiki that war cease because he feared the
greater forces of Lonoikamakahiki. But the proposal by Kamalalawalu for
termination of the war did not meet Lonoikamakahiki’s approval. He had
no intention of acquiescing, because he was greatly incensed at
Kamalalawalu for the brutal manner in which he killed Kanaloakuaana by
gouging out the eyes and other brutal acts carried into execution while
the latter was still alive.
Makakuikalani, however, upon hearing of Kamalalawalu’s proposal to
Lonoikamakahiki to cease the war disapproved of it and said to
Kamalalawalu not to have the war cease. “Onward, and stand on the
altar! [305] Then will it be known which of us is a full grown child.”
This determination on the part of Makakuikalani was manifested by his
presence for three consecutive days before the forces of Hawaii. After
the third day, the two combatting forces waged battle, Lonoikamakahiki
gaining the victory over Kamalalawalu’s entire force on the same day
the battle was fought, the Maui-ites being completely routed.
This is the history of the battle as related by the ancients and as the
narrative is preserved by them. Before the battle commenced it was
customary for the old men to encourage Kamalalawalu to do battle.
Whenever the two old men heard what Kamalalawalu and the others had to
say as to what they intended doing to Lonoikamakahiki in order to be
victorious in battle, the old men would wend their way to make it known
to Lonoikamakahiki and the others and this duty was generally carried
out during some convenient time of night. The two old men always
pointed out to Kamalalawalu and the others where the battle should be
fought, and the suggestions of the old men were always received with
the utmost confidence by him. Therefore Kumaikeau and the two deceitful
old men would in turn inform Lonoikamakahiki. The two old men never
suggested any place for battle which would result advantageously to
Kamalalawalu and his forces; on the contrary, it was invariably such a
locality where inevitable defeat would result.
In the early morning of the day of battle, Makakuikalani went to the
front with his warriors following him and planted themselves at
Waikakanilua below Hokuula and Puuoaoaka at a prominence looking
towards Waikoloa. Pupuakea, on observing that Makakuikalani was placing
his men and self in position, he and his warriors immediately came
forward prepared to give battle. It was a case where both sides were
equally prepared for the fray.
Makakuikalani was a man of great height and large physique; a renowned
and powerful general of Maui and was also Kamalalawalu’s younger
brother. As for Pupuakea, Hawaii’s celebrated and powerful general and
who was Lonoikamakahiki’s younger brother, he was only a man of small
stature. Both men had been taught the art of fighting with the wooden
club and were experts in its use, but their schooling was under
different masters and at different places.
On the day of battle the sight of Makakuikalani put Lonoikamakahiki’s
forces in dreadful fear. When Pupuakea saw Makakuikalani he had no fear
of him, did not tremble but stood firm ready to give battle.
While Makakuikalani and Pupuakea were standing on the battle field,
Makakuikalani raised his war club and from on high struck at Pupuakea.
Being short in stature he was only slightly struck but fell to the
ground, however. At the instant Makakuikalani’s war club struck
Pupuakea the end of it was buried deep into the ground. At the moment
Pupuakea was struck by the war club and fell Makakuikalani thought that
he was killed, but the latter’s master saw that Pupuakea was not dead,
so said to Makakuikalani: “Go back and slay him for your opponent is
not dead. Your clubbing being from above only delivered a blow with the
butt end.” Makakuikalani hearing the words of his teacher turned around
and threw the butt end of his club, at the same time telling him to
“Shut up! Instruction stops at home. He cannot escape, he must be dead
because the club strikes true.” At the very instant that Makakuikalani
faced around to talk with his teacher, he (the teacher) was dead.
Pupuakea was lying on the ground, stunned, but somewhat recovered
afterwards and raised himself up from the ground. When Makakuikalani
saw that Pupuakea was still alive he rushed towards him bent on killing
him.
Pupuakea observed Makakuikalani’s approach so prepared himself to slay
him. When Makakuikalani drew near, Pupuakea raised his club and twirled
it from his right. At that moment Makakuikalani attempted also to lay
his club on Pupuakea, and when his club was twirled it skidded along
the ground towards the feet of Makakuikalani and being parried by
Makaku, fell to the ground. When Makakuikalani swung his club from the
left side it struck the back of his own neck and he was instantly
killed. Pupuakea immediately stepped backward and met his master who
said to him: “Go back again and slay him so he be dead.” The words of
his master aroused Pupuakea’s pride and he said to his teacher: “He
cannot live, he is dead.” Then looking at the palm of his hand he again
said to his master: “He cannot be alive because the birthmark of
Pupuakea has impressed itself thereon. The flying club through dust has
killed him.”
After the great and renowned general of Maui had fallen the Hawaii
forces continued to slaughter Kamalalawalu and the others. Upon the
death of Kamalalawalu the slaughter of the Maui-ites continued for
three days thereafter and those defeated who ran towards their canoes
found no arms and outriggers because they had been broken. The repulsed
warriors ran to Puako and noticing the paimalau [306] floating in the
sea mistook them for canoes. They began to waver and were again
overtaken by the victors. The destruction of the remaining invaders was
then complete. Referring to Kauhiakama the son of Kamalalawalu he
escaped to safety. The story of his escape running thus:
On the day that the Maui forces were defeated Kauhiakama clandestinely
escaped to Kawaihae and from there his intentions were to hie to the
caves, there to remain until his side was victorious and then make his
appearance.
Hinau, one of the generals of Lonoikamakahiki and a messenger also, had
great affection for Kauhiakama, but it was previous to the time of
Hinau’s assisting in the escape of Kauhiakama that he roasted some taro
and, together with some dried mudfish, already roasted, proceeded to
search for Kauhiakama. Hinau came to Kawaihae first and from there went
to Kaiopae where for the first time he saw Kauhiakama, so Hinau hailed
him and said: “Say, Kauhiakama, remain there until I reach you!”
Kauhiakama looking round saw Hinau approaching, the thought of death at
the hands of the victorious crossed his mind, so covering his face with
his hands he wept, for he was greatly depressed in spirits. Hinau came
forward, however, and greeted him with a kiss on the nose, remarking:
“I remained behind and roasted some taro and dried mudfish for the love
of you and came to search for you.” These words of Hinau gave
Kauhiakama great relief and hopes for life. Kauhiakama then ate of the
taro prepared by Hinau and when he had finished Hinau assisted
Kauhiakama to escape to Maui. Thus was Kauhiakama saved from falling
into the hands of his enemies.
Upon Kauhiakama’s return to Maui he sang the praises of Hinau; named
his house after him and also the calabashes and fish-bowls. The
cultivated fields were also named after him. Everything he possessed
was named after Hinau in memory of the many tokens of friendship and
kindness shown to him.
Several years afterwards rumors came to Lonoikamakahiki which informed
him of the actions of Kauhiakama and of the naming of everything
Kauhiakama owned by the name of Hinau. In consequence of this certain
messengers were dispatched to Maui by Lonoikamakahiki to get Hinau.
Before the departure of the emissaries to get Hinau he instructed them
thus: “You go and bring Hinau by my command, and should you meet him,
say to him to return to Hawaii and govern the country because I am
going to Kauai, to view the trunkless koa tree of Kahihikolo. He is to
be in my stead and inform him so. Should he board your canoes, take him
to Alenuihaha channel, tear him alive in the sea, because he has done
wrong by assisting Kauhiakama to escape, thus violating my very
commands, to allow no one of Maui with royal blood to live.” After he
had given these instructions to his emissaries they set sail for Maui.
When the emissaries met Hinau they learned that he was the greatest man
in Maui in the retinue of Kauhiakama and was the latter’s cherished
favorite. However, the instructions had to be carried out and the same
were discharged in a manner that was entirely pleasing to
Lonoikamakahiki.
Hinau heard the wishes of Lonoikamakahiki from the lips of the
emissaries, and believing the truth of the message decided to obey the
same. Kauhiakama had no intention of allowing Hinau to sail to Hawaii
for he was worried lest he return not again to Maui. Hinau, however,
was under the belief that he was to rule only during the time of
Lonoikamakahiki’s absence on Kauai, and when he returned, he (Hinau)
would again return to Maui. Upon Hinau’s boarding the canoes and
sailing for Hawaii while yet breathing with life he was cut in two
whilst in the open sea by the emissaries in compliance with the
instructions of Lonoikamakahiki. So died Hinau. On the return of the
men they reported having put Hinau to death in the manner desired, thus
gratifying the wishes of Lonoikamakahiki.