Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 11, 1 November 2004 — A gift of water for Pūehuehu pool [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A gift of water for Pūehuehu pool

Long ago, a farmer was sitting beside a stream in the Kuakini area, when a beautiful woman adorned with forest greenery approached. She returned the farmer's polite greeting and asked what news there was in the lowlands. The farmer reported that a man was going to be put to death nearby. The woman asked where the man had eome from and who he was. The farmer knew no details, but had watched the chief's men leading the doomed man to a plaee where a large fire was being started. The chief had ordered the man's death. The farmer expressed compassion for the unlucky man. "Would you like to see him escape?" the woman asked, surprised by the farmer's sympathy. "Indeed, I would," the man responded. "We both agree," she said. "May I ask your name?" "It is Kali'u. I am called that because there is no water in this area." "Have you any 'awa?" the woman asked. "Yes, I have a bit of 'awa root; I'll get it." Kali'u agreed to ehew the 'awa for them, but reiterated his laek of water. "No water?" she asked. "We depend on the rains that cause water to flow down Waolani Stream to us," the man explained. "There is water in the rainy season, but in the midst of a hot summer, no rain falls." "You ehew our 'awa and I will seek water," the

woman instructed. Looking around, she found a large rock. "I will throw this stone at that bank of Waolani Stream," she said. "If water splashes and fine drops rise up into the air like the mists that nestle on the mountain tops, that is the water of Pūehuehu." Kali'u doubted the stranger could throw the rock at the solid hillside and get water; even many men could not move the stone. "How ean you do it?" he asked. "Watch me,"

she said. The woman uttered a prayer. Lightning struck the side of the rock, loosening it. Kali'u watched in amazement as the woman lifted and tossed the rock, and a gust of wind nearly knocked him off his feet. The rock struck, the earth trembled, and water sprayed up into the air from Waolani

Stream. The woman sent Kali'u to fetch water from the spring that spilled into the deep Pūehuehu pool below. Pūehuehu means the spray-scattered. Mo'olelo such as this often hold lessons for us. As youngsters, we were often reminded to be respectful of strangers such as this woman, because it may be a test of our generosity, honesty or respect. The woman in the story seemed ordinary, with only one sign of signifieanee - her forest greenery. In fact, she was the fertility goddess Haumea. Because Kali'u was kind, sympathetic and willing to assist her, the gift of water was given. The mo'olelo locates the spring that was created when Haumea threw the rock and even the rock that made the spring, whieh lies on the 'Ewa side of the bridge at Kuakini Street. The land makai of present-day Kuakini Street was named for Kali'u, the farmer, who became Haumea's war leader. Today, Hawaiian historic and sacred sites are erased as new highways, resorts and subdivisions are built. As they disappear the magic of the gods and lessons of our history go with them. Preservation means accepting the kuleana of caring for the sites and telling their stories to the youth. ■

As youngsters, we were often reminded to be respectful of strangers, because it may be a test of our generosity, honesty or respect.

Mo'olelo

[?]

By Claire Hughes Dr.PH., R.D.