Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 9, 1 September 1980 — The Legend of Keaomelemele [ARTICLE]

The Legend of Keaomelemele

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE

[Let us leave for awhile the story of the adopted child of Kane and Kanaloa, who was specially cared for by Keanuenue and instead begin the story about his younger sister, the one who lived in the stillness and solitude of the distant forest between Puna and Hilo, a place near the uplands of Olaa.J After several months had passed, Hina was again pregnant. She and Ku began to wonder whether the child would be a girl or a boy, but soon realized that it would be a girl. "If I give birth to another child, perhaps she should be reared by someone else?" asked Hina.. "Yes, someone else should raise the child/' replied Ku. After awhile, when the time drew near for Hina to deliver'the child, omens and signs appeared in the heavens again. As Hina's pain began to increase, the"se omens were seen, the gods Kane andKanaloa, knew 7 that Hina would give birth again. So Kane sent Lanihuli and Waipuhia their sisters who lived on the high cliffs of Waolani and Nuuanu. When they heard they were being sent because of something their brothers wanted, Lanihuli and Waipuhia promptly asked where they were going. They were told that they were being sent to the island of Kuaihelani, a place far away from the islands of Hawaii. They asked why they were going there, and Kane told them. "You will be going there for a child soon to be borne by Hina, and when you arrive there if you are asked why you have come, you shall say that you have come to get the child. If you are asked who sent you, then say who you are and that Mo'oinanea has directed it to be done. Then you will be given the child." When they were through talking, Lanihuli and Waipuhia prepared to leave for the strange island of Kuaihelani. They tried to recall where they were going. Then they heard Kane's voice saying, "Go outside and you shall see the path you are to take to reach Kuaihelani." As they listened to Kane, a commotion occurred outside, and they saw a huge iwa (frigate, Fregata minor plamersfonl) bird there. It had come from some distance away and descended to pick them up. The iwa quickly began to fly upwards until its head disappeared for awhile within the sky. From the Iwa, Lanihuli and Waipuhia watchedjhe wind blow and move the cloud formations, and they also looked down at the earth. Soon they reached the highest limits of the sky and were barely visible from the ground. The iwa began to call; he called three times. The two sisters of the high cliff of Nuuanu were astonished at the frequent calls of their "balloon" as they were carried halfway up in the sky. They looked down again and saw the shimmering sands of Kuaihe-

lani surrounding the shore. They wondered if this was the place they were being taken to. Suddenly the iwa descended directly to the entrance of Hina's and Ku's house. When they arrived, Hina went into labor and suddenly the child was born, While Hina and Ku were caring for the new born girl, they saw how beautiful she was and were delighted. Glancing up, they saw the two sisters sitting outside at the entrance of the house, They greeted them and asked what the sisters were doing there. The sisters told who they were and why they had come. While they talked, a voice was heard coming from the roof of the house. Hina and Ku recognized that it was the voice of Mo'omanea who possessd the greatest supernatural power, in all of Kukulu o Kahiki. Ku and Hina asked Mo'oinanea what to do and she replied, "Now you must give the girl to them, Do not hesitate." Because of what she said, they quickly gave the girl to the strangers. When Lanihuli and Waipuhia were ready to leave, they returnecs|o their sky path. Mo'oinanea commanded them to take the child to be raised by Waka, who lived on the island of Hawaii, somewhere in the midst of the tall ohi'a trees. Mo'oinanea said that the girl was to be called Paliuli after this rarely seen area. She also had told Kane and Kanaloa of these'instructions saying t "When Paliuli is grown, then her older brother, who is being raised by Keanuenue at Waolani, shall be her husband." [This happened as has been previously written in one of the first issues of this legend.] When Mo'oinanea was through speaking, Lanihuli and Waipuhia got up on the iwa and flew towards the sky path. [You should be reminded of the line in the song: "The bird of Kaula poises aloft/ So fore — telling a gusty wind storm./ The iwa bird dips up and down/ And poises quietly in the air."] When they reached Kane and Kanaloa in the uplands of Waolani, the gods saw the child held firmly in the sister's hands. They told Kane and Kanaloa of what Mo'oinanea had said, and Kane agreed. So Lanihuli and Waipuhia were once again sent off; this time to give the girl to Waka on the island of Hawaii. In a short time the sisters were ready to leave for the big island where the sun rises in the east. When they reached the uplands of the tall ohia trees, Waka was living in the midst of the forest. She was a native of these high uplands, and she spent her time caring for the birds that lived in the trees. She knew them well and talked with them until they listened to what she said and did what she desired. When the girl of Kuaihelani arrived, Waka devoted her time to raising the child. She ordered the birds to build a house for her adopted child, and she watched until it was completed. Then, Waka carefully selected

several birds to be her child's servants. Waka ordered the iwa to fly to Nuumelani, the place above in the sky of Kuaihelani, where Mo'oinanea lived. It was said that Waka knew there were things in Nuumealani that possessed supernatural power (manaj. These were the two trees which produced in a very short time whatever was required of them. These were Hawaiians to be (1) "Makalei, the tree that attracts fish," (2), "Kalalaikawai, the tree that supplies cooked food'(vegetables)." Requests were made of the tree, "Kalalaikawai release (the food]?' Waka wanted Mo'oinanea to letter have these trees brought to Hawaii. ]Maybe these trees are like the . saying in several stories, "When a diamond ring is rubbed two men appear."] When the iwa reached Nuumealani, Mo'oinanea had already seen its flight and gave the iwa the two trees. Then the iwa returned to Hawaii and gave Waka the trees. She was full of joy upon receiving them. ** The iwa returned tp Waolani with her two companions and they told i Kane and Kanaloa what had happened. The two gqds considered that everything had turned out well. all the talking was over, the two sisters returned to the high cliffs to rest from their Jong journey. ]Let us now look at Waka and her adopted,child and also at Keanuenue's adopted child* and you will see how they grew up.] While.under her care, Waka saw, that Paliuli's beauty developed every day until she was as beautiful as the full konane moon of the night of Mahealani. Because of Paliuli's beauty, Waka wanted to protect her, and so she did noftet anyone see Paliuli. [Let me add that the second tree Makalei supplied all the fish for Waka and that it was set in the middle of a small pool. All the branches, leaves and the tree itself were crowded with fish everyday. In fact* it was said that all the people of Waolani could hear the noise of the fish crowding the tree. The other tree, Kalalaikawai, supplied all the vegetables to feed Paliuli. Perhaps this is why this famous home of Paliuli's is called a "well hidden land." This is also the case for Mana on Kauai and the plains of Kamaomao on Maui, where it is said a millionaire v was supposed to have uncovered buried silver (money?).] When Waka saw how beautiful her adopted girl was, she began to think of marriage for Paliuli. She talkedjt over with the girl, and they pame to a decision. Waka quickly left to meet-with Kane, Kanaloa and Keanuenus-pipio-iluna (The Rainbow that arches above). When she arrived,, she .told them that she was looking for a husband for Paliuli. The gods brought Kahanajakekua (The adopted of the gods) and Waka saw that he was perfect for Paliuli. She returned to Hawaii in a happy state of mind.