Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Moloka' i (Part 2)

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Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands
" Keepers of the Culture "
A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands
Moloka' i -- part 2
by Darlene E. Kelley
October 23, 2000

http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374

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Part 2 -- As told by the ancient Hawaiians.

Moloka'i -- 14th and 15th Centuries.

The islands of Molokai during this period, from La'amaikahiki [14th
century] and to Kukaniloko
and her contemporary Pi,ilani, presents no legendary lore of historical
importance except the disaster which befell its principal chief,
Kahokuohua, from the invasion of Kalaunuiohua, the Moi [ king/ruler ] of
Hawaii.  The possession of the island had not yet become a political
bone of contention between the Oahu & Maui kings, and its internal
affairs apparently did not attract the attention of the neighboring
islands.  Among the local legends of the island referring to the early
part of this period is one which mentions Kupa as having been a brother
of La'amaikahiki, and as having come with him from Tahiti, and become a
principal chief of the eastern portion of Molokai.
He is said to have resided at Mapulehu, and he and his household were
destroyed and drowned by an extraordinary waterspout or freshet coming
down the mountain and flooding the valley. It is also said that the
heiaus [ place of worship] of Kahakoililani at Waialua, and of
lliiliopae at Mapulehu existed at this time, through the building of the
latter has also attributed to later times.

In the early part of the 15th century, Kahokuohua, for whom we have only
some genealogy, was the principal chief of Moloka'i.
During his reign, Moloka'i was invaded ny Kalaunuiohua, the king of
Hawaii who had just conquered Maui. After another obstinate battle
Kahokuohua was conquered, and surrendered himself to the victor.
Kalaunuiohua then conquered Huapouleilei, principal chief of the 'Ewa
and Wai'anae districts of Oahu, and then proceeded to Kauai with the
captive chiefs. Here he was defeated by Kukona, who released the captive
chiefs and returned them to their various islands and former positions.
Thus, Moloka'i remained under the rule of its own chief.

Kiha-A-Pi'lani --   16th century

Lono-a-Pi'lani was the ruler of Maui during the first of the 16th
century. He had suceeded his father, Pi'ilani. When Lono-a-Pi'ilani [
Lono ] and his younger brother, Kiha-a-Pi'ilani [ Kiha ],
had  disagreement, Kiha had to leave Maui. He took refuge in the court
of his brother-in-law,
'Umi, the king of Hawai'i, who then helped Kiha become king of Maui by
defeating Lono in battle. "Umi gave Kiha instructions of things to do
first on Maui, then on Moloka'i, in order that Kiha might be famous and
his name live on forever. " Umi spoke to Kiha;

" When you are through on Maui, you will go to Moloka'i to restore the
walls of the fishponds and you will construct a road on the deression of
Kaluako'i from the dry hot shore of 'lloli and turning on the far side
of the sands of M'omomi, and you will put white shells on that side and
this side of the road between the rocks."

" And here is another important thing for you to do. See that the people
have vegetable food and fish, kapas and malos. Look after the big man [
chief ] and the little man [ commoner ], the women and children, the old
women and the old men. This is what will endear you to the people. As
for the enemy who thinks of you as an opponent, as soon as he stirs up
war against you, he will not hold the people, because you will have done
kindly by them in the things they needed."

Kiha then made ready to go to Moloka'i:

Many canoes were prepared for the sail to Moloka'i. On this sailing of
the canoes with the chiefs and commoners for Moloka'i,  the ocean was
completely covered with canoes from Ka'anapali [ on Maui ] to Waialua on
Moloka'i.
As for the chief, Kiha, he did not board any canoe but rode a long surf
board from Honolua and the wild surging waves of the Pailolo Sea carried
him with no difficulty, a deed by which the famous waves of that deep
blue sea were turned into a plaything as well as a sport by that chief.
There was also an adornment of leis on the head of the chief as well as
on his neck. Not a particle of spray from the waves was seen tossing up
over the adornment of leis on this chief, up to the time of his landing
on the shore of Waialua on Moloka'i. And it was a thing of great
amazement to the chiefs and men who witnessed this deed of Kiha.

While Kiha was living at Waialua, the relations with Moloka'i's chiefs
and people were pleasant & full of aloha and great was their talk of
those things which pertained to their existence under this chief and
they were all in complete agreement about living without opposition. And
the chief saw that their intentions were good so the work was done on
the fishponds at Moloka'i, those stone walls on the ponds on the Kona
side of Moloka'i which are called " The house where the fish live [ Ka
hale o ka i'a e noho ai ]" When the great task of the chief was
completed, then right after, the construction of the road at Kaluako's
was begun. Ths was the chief Kiha's last act which made his name famous
from the time when he was reigning chief of Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i and
Kaho'olawe until this new era. It was said, Kiha lived on Moloka'i, and
after this he returned and lived at Lahaina.

Moloka'i was not ruled by Kiha. However, during the time of his father,
Pi'ilani. the bays on Moloka'i, Lanai, and Maui which were visable from
Lahaina came under Pi'ilani's rule.
These are referred to as " na hono a Pi'ilani".

The Prophet -- Lanikaula.

Durng the latter part of the 16th century the famous prophet, Lanikaula,
lived. He is said to have been born at Puko'o but he lived on the
eastern end of the island and was buried at
Keopukaloa in the kukui grove called " Ulukukui
o Lanikaula ". He lived in seclusion and acquired a great reputation as
a prophet and counselor, so that from all the group [ of islands],
pilgrims came to the grove to seek advice and register vows.

Lanikaula's 'aumakua was a bird resembling the 'o'o, a small bird. When
one approached, the bird cried and Lanikaula would understand, for the
bird was the one who told him.

One incident in Lanikaula's life has been preserved. Not long after the
return of Lonoikamakahiki to Hawaii, Kamalalawalu, son of Kiha and at
that time the King of Maui, decided to invade Hawaii and conquer it.

Orders were issued to prepare the fleet and collect men for the
invasion. The priests and soothsayers were given to understand that the
king expected favorable auguries, and, afraid of their lives, they
framed their answers to suit his wishes. Only one among the subservent
crowd lifted a warning and protesting voice against the mad enterprise.
That man was Lanikaula. His warning was unheeded. Yet, when the fleet
was ready and Kamalalawalu was stepping on board, Lanikaula implored him
to desist in a "Wanana" or prophecy, which has been preserved. The only
answer the irate monarch said was " When I return I will burn you
alive."

Kamalalawalu went on to Hawaii and fought two battles. In the second one
he was defeated and taken capture, where they blinded him before they
killed him.

Lanikaula was revered by the people of Molokai and is often mentioned in
chants. As one Hawaiian writer said, " We have all heard of Lanikaula,
the powerful kahuna of Molaka'i.