Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Moloka' i (Part 6) The US GenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions become part of the permanent collection. Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands " Keepers of the Culture " A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands Moloka' i -- part 6 by Darlene E. Kelley October 30, 2000 http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Part 6 -- As told by the ancient Hawaiians. Battle of Kalauonakuku -- Some years after Moloka'i had surrendered to Pelei'oholani, there was trouble between Kahekili, the king of Maui, and Ke'eaumoku, who married Namahana, the widow of Kamehamehanui, the older brother of Kahekili. Namahaa was living in Waihe'e and some of the Moloka'i chiefs had taken refuge in her court. Kahekili felt that this marriage of Ke'eaumoku's was an act of rebellion, Namahana having been the kapu wife of Kamehamehanui. As a result a battle was fought in which Kahekili was the victor. Ke'eaumoku, with Namahana , her followers, and the Moloka'i chiefs fled, first to Ka'eaumoku and then to Moloka'i. Kahekili pursued the fugitives, and after invading Moloka'i , fought a sea battle, whch was called the battle of Kalauonakukui. Once again Ke'eaumoku was defeated. He and his company fled by sea and landed at Hana, the eastern stronghold of Maui where Mahihelelima was commander, and lived on the fortified hill of Ka'uiki. At this time was born Ka'ahumanu, the famous chieftess of the time of the Kamehamehas. European Contact of Moloka'i in 1779 -- During Captain Cook's visit to the islands in 1779, the status of Moloka'i was uncertain. Captain King, while stopping at O'ahu, was told that O'ahu men had gone to Moloka'i to fight Kahekili. The O'ahuans pobably won, for after Pelei'oholani died in about 1780 and the sovereignty had passed from his son to Kahahana. Kahahana was definately the ruler of Moloka'i. After the battle of Kamoku'ilima, Kalani'opu'u returned to Hawaii, and Kahekili sailed to Moloka'i to meet Kahahana, who was living under tabu at the heiau of Kapukapuakea of Waialua [ Actually in Honomuni ]. The tabu being ended he went to live at Kanalu [ Kainalu] where all the men of Moloka'i were making the big water taro patch of Paikahawai. The two chiefs met with many professions of affection, but Kahekili's was false. He coveted O'ahu and Moloka'i for their rich lands, many walled fish ponds, springs, and water taro patches. The island of O'ahu was very fertile and Moloka'i scarcely less so, and Kahekili lay sleepless with longing. He asked for Halawa, a large land on the northeastern side of Moloka'i adjoining Wailau on the north, and Kahahana gave it to him. Moloka'i comes under the Rule of Maui -- About the year 1785, Kehekili left Maui to invade O'ahu. On his way he stopped off at Moloka'i to secure fish from the walled fish ponds for the journey to Oahu. Their canoes reached from Ho'olehua to Kaluako'i. Oahu was then invaded, Kahahana was killed, and the islands of Oahu and Moloka'i came under the sovereignty of Kahekili. War --- The echoing sound of the conch shell pierced through the tranquil air of this early morning. However, the variations in the conch's intonation were distinctly different than those times when the villagers are assembled for a meeting or are called to the seashore to help haul in the large fishing nets, or when the birth of a child is announced. Instead, this eerie conch sound was one of warning. The regiment of the King's army had already been assembled by the time a messenger from the lookout on the mountain ridge sprinted into the royal compound to relay the details of his sighting. Approaching the territory from the west, along the upland trail, was a formidable army of warriors estimated to be eighteen hundred in number. In full battle regalia, the colors of red, yellow, and black could be seen flickering from the feathered capes and helmets of the chiefs leading this invasion force. The blades of their polished wooden spears and daggers glistened in the sunlight as they marched toward the village. This was to be a major battle! Meantime, the other men from surrounding villages had been assembled to join the intensively trained soldiers o the king's army. Most of the women, children, and elderly had gathered up a few of their personal possessions and some food before hastily departing to find refuge in several secret caves in the mountainside. A few women stayed behind and prepared themselves to fight alongside their husbands. The adrenaline could be felt tingling through the body. The highly disciplined warriors girded tightly in their loin clothes [malo] about the waist in a style called pu'ali so that an opponent could not easily grab hold of them during hand-to-hand combat. Likewise, those with long hair tightly bound it back into a top-knot on their heads. The chiefs were adorned with feathered capes and helmets that distinquished their rank and family alliances. Some were also bedecked with pendants around their necks that signified their family clans. The king's troops consisted of over two thousand fully equipped and trained soldiers. However, a third of this contingent was on the other side of the island to settle a dispute and uprising in one of the villages there. The swiftest runner of the village had already been dispatched to notify them, but it would be a full day before they returned, Clearly the attacking army knew of this and chose this oportune time for an onslaught. The invasion force was being led by the king's eldest brother who had been outraged for not being selected to inherit the reign of this island upon the death of their father. Furthermore, the council of chiefs hd decided to limit the amount of lands that would be imparted to him for his use. Disputes had arisen between the king and his brother on subsequent occasions regarding this arrangement. However, a full scale war launched upon the king was not expected at this time. The king's commander for his military regiment was a man of large stature, known for his superb military prowness and outstanding fighting skills. Tattooed on his rght frearm were the insignias marking his victories against other hostile opponents when he fought along side the king's father. Consequently, he had been appointed and charged with commanding the king's army. The king's soldiers had been trained for warfare and instructed in various offensive and defensive tactics. This army was also divided into various units, each being noted for their specially in certain weapns. There was the unit of men known for their accuracy and skill in throwing the ihe [ short spears]. These spears ranged from six to eight feet in length, some being carved with barbs at their points. These short spears were also used for thrusting in close combat. Just as deadly were the stones cast from the ma's [slings] that were plaited from coconut fibers. With a twirling motion of the sling in one hand over a person's head, one end was released, sending the spindle shaped basalt stone though the air. These men were known for their precision in hitting their mark when using these specific stones. A strike to the invader's head could instantly kill him or lay him unconscious. At times, other oddly-shaped rocks could be used indiscriminately with a less accurate trajectory. There was also the platoon of men and women that utilized the pikoi [ tripping weapon ]. This particular weapon was made from stone or wood fastened to a long cord that was thrown at an opponent's feet to trip him up. Following closely behind them was a squad of men with the kaka la'au [wooden staffs] that were used to strike and thrust at the enemy once temporarily knocked to the ground. Also attached to this unit were those versed in the handling of newa [war clubs] constructed of wood, stone, or somtimes both materials. This entire group was very effective in impeding the advancement of enemy troops on the battlefield. In addition to the aforementioned weapons, most warriors carried pahoa [daggers] for hand to hand combat situations. But there was a squad of men whose exclusive weapon was the leiomano [wooden instrument lined with shark teeth]. This hand held weapon could sharply cut the jugular or disembowel the entrails of an opponent with a single stroke. The commander of the king's army deployed the units to gain the greatest tactical advantage. His strategy was to severly disable the invasion force until reinforcements could arrive by the next day. The enemy's procession towards the royal compound was soon to be intervened with a strike team of men with slings delivering their stone projectiles wth deadly aim from the hillside. Their mission was to inflict as many casualties as possible to cripple the approaching enemy. Now the king;s commander orchestrated the remander of his forces into one large infantry unit with three smaller sqauds that would come around the flanks and rear positions of the enemy. One of these sqaudons was composed of agile chiefs to create a chaotic state amongst the invaders. The signal flags used to commence these offensive maneuvers were now ready to be displayed by the lookouts on the mountain ridge once everyone was situated. Soon the blades of war will be painted with blood.