Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 5, 1 Mei 1997 — Kahekili: most courageous, cunning and wise sacred chief [ARTICLE]

Kahekili: most courageous, cunning and wise sacred chief

Kahekilinui'ahumanu, a high ranking chief of Maui, reigned over all the Hawaiian islands except Hawai'i before the time of Kamehameha. Kahekili reigned over Maui for 18 years, and Moloka'i and O'ahu fell under his rule during the last nine years of his reign. He fought many battles to maintain and expand his rulership. Many of his battles were against Hawai'i island chiefs. The entire right half of his body was tattooed. The design was so closely drawn that it appeared solid black and projected an intimidating appearance. He excelled at the sport of lelekawa (jumping from cliffs ranging up to 300 feet high or more). The winner is the one who jumps into the water feet first without making

a splash and lives. A leaf is placed in the mouth to prevent water from rushing into the nostrils on impact. "It was one of the things Kahekili excelled in," said Akoni Akana, kumu hula of Hula Hālau Nā Wāhine Ka'ōnohiokalā. His success in combat, his courage and spirituality combined with his genealogy made his mana great. "They talked about him being thunder on the mountain," said Sam Ka'ai, a cultural historian. Kahekili means "the thunder." Kahekili died at 87 in Waikikī. The makers of the "Kahekili" hula production say that Kahekili was a most ; courageous, cunning and wise sacred chief .