Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 9, 1 September 2000 — KĀNE OF THE WATER OF LIFE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KĀNE OF THE WATER OF LIFE

B y C I a i r e H u g h e s , D e p t . o f H e a I t h

LEGENDS DESCRIBE Kāne and Kanaloa's migration from Kahiki, traveling on the surface of the sea and causing food plants to grow. When Kāne and Kanaloa arrived from Kahiki, "the stones of Kāne were erected and the waters of Kāne were brought forth from hills, chffs and rocks." They were followed by the 'ama'ama (mullet) and, on their arrival, were worshiped with 'awa and āholehole (whitefish). These gods traveled about the islands together, establishing ffesh water springs. They are described as cultivators, 'awa drinkers and water finders. Legends tell how Kāne and Kanaloa saw to it that the fresh water springs, rich in mana, were kept elean for drinking purposes or for use by chiefs. In most mo'olelo, Kanaloa acts as the stimulus and Kāne as the executor. They hved with some lesser gods in Waipi 'o Valley, ......

Hawai'i, where they cultivated bananas and led a simple Ufe. These gods were a contrast in appearance as Kanaloa was taU, with fair skin and hair, while Kāne was dark with curly hair. Some stories describe them as 'awa drinkers, whose waterfinding activities were related to their need for water to mix with 'awa. Awaikū are said to be good spirits who act as messengers for Kāne to ward off evil spirits; they manage the winds, rains and other things useful to man. Kāne is credited with bringing the first food plants to Hawai'i. The heiau o Kamau'ai (the heap of vegetable food) at Keauhou, Kona, is dedicated to Kāne. It is said to be the site of the introduction of cultivated food plants. According to Beckwith, pigs, coconuts, breadfruit, 'awa and wauke are aU sacred to Kāne. However, Pūku'i indicates that the kinolau of Kāne include sugar eane, pōpolo, taro and bamboo. The coconut and breadfruit are kinolau of Kū and 'awa is kinolau of Kanaloa. Kāne and Kanaloa are also connected with fishponds. Keawanui and Keawaiki, who lived at Mōkapu, were visited by the gods and they buUt the Pā'ōhua fishpond there. During ,

a famine on Lāna'i, they watched a boy's daily visit to a little hut he had erected for his god. The boy laid a bit of fish there saying, "God, here is a bit of fish for you." Kāne and Kanaloa, pleased with the young boy's piety, decided to end the famine. Fish altars are set up in honor of Kāneko'a along streams to increase the catch of 'o'opu. On one of their excursions, Kāne and Kanaloa went into the mountains in the back of Ke'anae on Maui. They wondered whether water could be found at that altitude. "'O ia ana (Let it be seen)," said Kanaloa, whereupon Kāne thrust his staff of heavy, close-grained wood into the earth and water gushed forth. Beyond Ke'anae, across 'Ōhi'a Gulch, Kāne dug his spear into one plaee and then another saying, "This is for you, and that for me." Water gushing from springs is known as the water of Kāne and Kanaloa. The two gods opened the fishpond of Kanaloa at Lua La'ilua and the water of Kou at Kaupō. They caused sweet waters to flow at Waihe'e, Kahakuloa, and at Waikāne on Lāna'i, Pui u.

Kawaihoa on O'ahu. On Kaua'i, few springs are found since Kāne and Kanaloa were not recognized there as gods. An impression of their sleeping bodies was left on rock above the Mauhili pool in the Waikomo Stream in Kōloa. On the cliff just below are two pointed rocks named Waihānau and Ka'eleo-o-kahawau. Kāne, the thruster, is the male; the spring, whieh Hawaiians eonsider the source of life, is the female in the generative process. Henee the saying, "Kāne of the water of hfe." We know that fresh water is our most precious resource. Approximately 60 percent of our body consists of water. Water builds body tissue and helps ehemieal reactions in cells. It carries nutrients and flushes waste; it cools us, lubricates joints and acts as shock absorber in tissue. In Hawai'i, we are blessed with elean, fresh water, filled with the mana of Kāne and Kanaloa. Drinking six to eight glasses of water daily in lieu of other beverages is one of the easiest and most beneficial lifestyle changes anyone ean make. Not only will you feel better; it's also easy on the pocketbook. ■