Statewide County HI Archives News.....Wiki Mo'olelo Part 14 . November 7, 2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/hi/hifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Darlene E. Kelley donkeyskid@msn.com November 16, 2008, 8:53 am Keepers Of The Culture, A Study In Time Of The Hawaiian Islands November 7, 2008 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley donkeyskid@msn.com November 7, 2008. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Historical Collections of Hawai'i Keepers of the Culture A Study in Time, of the Hawai'ian Islands Wiki Mo'olelo - Part 14. by Darlene E. Kelley +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Wiki Mo'olelo Part 14. Secrets And Mysteries of Hawai'i Truth is stranger than fiction. And the Hawai'ian Islands are riddled with ancient mysteries, local folklore and stories handed down one generation at a time that continue to fasinate and intrigue. Hawai'i is a plece of strong spirituality, where actions are rich in purpose and meaning and sacred sites and soles command respect. The best part of Hawai'i's history may lie in the secrets you won't find in any textbook. Legends handed down by word of mouth are not to be regarded as fiction for they contain mysterious elements just strange enough to be true. Here are just a few of the secrets and mysteries that are told in Hawai'i. ++++++++++ Kamehameha's Bones Kamehameha I, also called Kamehameha the Great, unified the Hawai'ian Islands under one rule. Since the day of his death on May 8, 1819, the mystery of the location of King Kamehameha's bones is one of the greatests secrets in all Hawai'i Although the ancient Hawai'ians had ceremonial burial rituals for all, the funeral rites given to ruling chiefs were especially complex and sacred. A ceremony that prepared the body for afterlife, including removal of the flesh from the bones, was followed by a secret burial of the chiefly bones. The location of the bones was kept secret by whomever the duty was entrusted to, usually the decedants closet advisor. In the case of Kamehameha's death, Chiel Ulumaheilei ( called Hoapili by the King ) was given this honor. His bones being extremely sacrosanct and must be kept hidden to insure his spirit's transition into the world of the aumakua, or gods. Both for physical safekeeping of the sacred bones and to prevent any unwarranted spying, the bones were hidden at night for ultimate secrecy.It was believed that if the burial site location was disclosed, an enemy who came in contact with the bones could absorb the chiefly mana, or power. Although it is yet to be proven, many believe that Kamehameha's rmains rest in a burial cave at Kaloko, a pond in Kehaha on the island of Hawai'i. Other famous rulers, including Kahekili. a famous Mau'i ruler, are also at peace there also. Some say that King Kalakaua ordered Kamehameha's bones to be relocated in the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu Valley, altough this is strictly hearsay as well. If King Kamehameha's bones were ever exhumed,either on accident or intentionally, there is no telling what chain of events this disrespect might set off. The conflicting accounts are perhaps international stories conjured up to enure that a particular mystery stays just that. +++++++++++ The Menehune The menehune ( ka poe menehume ) are a mythical race of Hawai'i, a mischievous and clever little people who frequent the tales of old and lve deep in the forests and valleys of the islands. The menehune are associated with the pre-setting days of Hawai'i, roaming the islands 1500 years or more before Polynesian settlers arrived, but they tend to appear in even the most modern of tales. The menehune were rumored to be extremely adept with their hands, industrious builders and craftsmen, who could construct expert temples, roads, canoes, fishponds, and houses in no time at all. Although they are said to heve roamed all islands, the island of Kaua'i is the most common scenes involving them. These 2-foot tall island inhabitants are believed by many to be the master architects credited with building the Aleloko fishpond and dam, Kauai's largest aquaculture reservoir. A story surrounding the construction of this pond says that two royal onlookers, ignoring warnings of the menehune, were turned to stone after spying on the little people during this building activities. Today, it is said that the two stone pillars can still be seen near the pond. Structures like hand-built walls and carefully carved petroglyphs are considered by many to be evidence that Kaua'i was onec ( and perhaps still is ) a favorite playground of the menehune. ++++++++++++ The Red Waters of Wainapanapa An ancient Hawai'ian legend surrounds the Wainapanapa Cave on Mau'i. Tis tale describes how Princess Popoalaea, while hiding in a cave from her cruel and jealous husband, Chief Kaakea, was discovered by the heartless man and mercilessly killed. In memory of the princess' untimey death, the waters that run through the cave take on a reddish hue several times a year in honor of the princess' bloodshed. +++++++++++ Pele's Ohia Lehua The ohia tree, found in the islands at an altitude between 1,000 and 9,000 feet, is known for its reddish wood and beautiful flaming red blossoms. However, the ohia lehua is a sacred tree associated with Pele, the volcano goddess, and Hiiaka, Pele's sister who was also the guardan of the ohia lehua forests. Legend has it that Pele ordered the destruction of her sister's sacred ohia lehua groves after discovering tat her lover Lohiau had engege in romantic activities with her sister. Today, the active volcano Mauna Loa on the Big Island continues to pour out lava and destroy ohia trees. It is said that if a visitor plucks her red ohelo berries or ohia blossoms without frst perforing the necessary ritual and offering, consequences may occur, from rain showers to destructive lava flows. These flowers are currently protected under state law and cannot be picked in state parks. ++++++++++ The Old Pali Road The old Pali Road, replaced by the neighboring newer " Pali Highway." is the location of many of Hawai'i's most retold stories involving supernatural spirits. Because the road is thickly forested and devoid of streetlights, the old Pali highway is perhaps the perfect setting for spooky stories. Some unlucky few tell tales of coming into view of a huge ghostly white figure moving across the road in front of their vehicles. Countless accidents have occurred on this road, many unexplained. The Pali Lookout was the site of one of the most critical battles in King Kamehameha's unification of the Hawai'ian Islands. It is said to be home to a ghotly white silhouette that appear on certain nights, as well as ghostly soldiers leaping off the cliff. +++++++++++ No Pork on the Pali Old lgends warn that traveling with pork over the Pali Highway, the main roadway between Honolulu and Kaneohe, is highly taboo. Pork allegedly attracts agitated spirits and upsets the relationship between the fire goddess Pele and pig god, Kamapuaa. Those who ignore the legend and carry any pork product in their car may risk encountering car trouble or an accident. Because pork is a kinolau ( form ) of the pig god, the car trouble is said to be Pele's way of keeping Kamapuaa from traveling within her domain. Many O'ahu residents still follow this guideline today. If you encounter any truth to this myth, try tossing out the meat and see if your situation improves. For those who can't avoid the pork transportation, folklorists recommend tying a fresh green ti leaf, bamboo, or banana leaf around the package for protection. +++++++++++ Morgan's Corner On the windward side of the old Pali Road is Morgan's Corner, a corner marked by the presence of a giant tree asssociated with many ghostly encounters. Some folks tell of apparitions of hanging bodies and mysterious sounds on car roofs underneath the tree. ++++++++++++ Uhane In the Islands of Hawai'i it is common belief that the Uhane, or human soul leaves your body at night and wanders around in search of knowledge, experience or advenure returning only, when you wake up. When you die, it travels to the leina, sites believed to be portals to the other world. Sometimes, the uhane gets lost on the way and remains as a wandering spirit on earth. +++++++++++++ Hotel of Ancient warriors Standing on the old castle ground of King Kamehameha is theKona Beach hotel. Many guests regularly hear chanting, footsteps, and battlers along the halls and some claim to have seen old Hawai'ian warriers, and chiefs wearing feathered capes of old, carrying war impliments. +++++++++++ The mysteries of the Hawai'ian Islands continue to intrigue residents and vistors alike. Many of the best tales can only be found in the folklore passed on by word of mouth. Strike up a coversation with a native Hawai'ian and ask them to share some of their peculiar tales of old, and be prepared to stay with them the whole evening, and enjoying their tales of mystery and legends. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Next - part 15. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/hi/statewide/newspapers/wikimool96nnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/hifiles/ File size: 9.6 Kb