CHAPTER III
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THE PROPHECY OF THE OLD WOMAN IN THE PRESENCE OF KILA AND HER DIRECTION AS TO HOW LAAMAIKAHIKI COULD BE FOUND.
As Kila was very anxious to find Laamaikahiki, Kuhelepolani undertook to explain to him what he should do in order to find Laamaikahiki. “In one day from now you shall find Laamaikahiki in the mountain of Kapaahu. When we hear the beating of the drum, Hawea, the drum which belongs to your father, Moikeha, then you must take a human being and sacrifice him on the altar at Lanikeha, your father’s temple; then you will be able to see your brother, for it is a sign of sacrifice when that drum is beaten during the kapu nights. Tomorrow night is the night when the kapu is most strict of all nights, and it has always been so from your father’s time.”
On the evening of the following day, or the day after the instructions were given by the old woman, the notes of the drum of Laamaikahiki were heard. Upon hearing the notes of the drum Kamahualele was ordered to procure a person for the sacrifice and place it on the altar according to the instructions of the aged priestess. During this night, at the time the notes of the drum were heard, Kuhelepolani came to Kila and asked him: “Did you hear the notes of the drum? The time has come when you will see your brother. You must now follow me. Wherever you see me go you must follow directly behind me.”
All that night Kila followed the aged priestess, and this was continued from the morning of the next day until evening, when they arrived near the place where Laamaikahiki was living. Kuhelepolani then told him: “Let us remain here until we again hear the notes of the drum, when you will enter into the mua, [117] the house where the people worship. When we get to the door of the mua, then you must go right in and conceal yourself in one of the inside corners. You must then remain in your hiding place until your brother enters the house, then be watchful; the one who approaches and strikes the drum is Laamaikahiki; but wait until the priests get in line and begin the chanting, then call him.”
After these instructions, they remained where they were until they heard the beating of the drum. Late that evening, after the sun had set, they approached the door of the mua and Kila went in and hid himself where Kuhelepolani had instructed him. As soon as he entered the mua, Kuhelepolani rose and walked away from the mua, as it was the law that women should keep away from such places. Women were forbidden to be near the kapu houses. Not very long after Kila had entered the mua, Laamaikahiki came in and went and stood near the drum, where he remained awaiting for the arrival of the priests before the prayer was to be recited. Shortly after this the priests who were to join in the recital of the prayer with the chief entered. As soon as the priests entered, one of them offered a prayer, at the close of which they made their preparation for the recital.
At this moment Kila came forth calling out: “My greetings to you, Laamaikahiki.”
Laamaikahiki. “Who are you?” “I am Kila of the uplands, Kila of the lowlands, Kila-pa-Wahineikamalanai. I am the offspring of Moikeha.”
Laamaikahiki. “Is Moikeha then still living?” “He is still living.”
Laamaikahiki. “What is he doing?” “He is indulging in ease in Kauai where the sun rises and sets; where the surf of Makaiwa curves and bends: where the kukui blossoms of Puna change; where the waters of Wailua stretch out. He will live and die in Kauai.”
Because of the answers given by Kila, Laamaikahiki again asked: “What is the purpose of this journey that has brought you here?” Kila replied: “I have been sent by our father to come and take you to him as he is very anxious to see all his children together. The journey was taken under his orders. Upon my arrival here I was unable to find you; but just as I was about to give up the search and had ordered my men to get things ready for our return, an old woman came to me and advised me how to find you.”
Upon hearing the words from Kila, Laamaikahiki immediately prepared to accompany his brother to Hawaii in obedience to the wish of Moikeha. As soon as Laamaikahiki decided to do this, he took his priests, his god Lonoikaoualii, and the men that came with Kila and set sail for Hawaii. When they were approaching near Kauai, Laamaikahiki began beating his drum. No sooner was this done than Moikeha heard the tone of his drum which informed him that Laamaikahiki was about to arrive with his brother. Moikeha then ordered to have everything in readiness, the land as well as the house, for the reception of the chief Laamaikahiki.
Upon the arrival of Laamaikahiki and Kila, Laamaikahiki was taken by the hand by the high priest of Kauai, Poloahilani, to the temple together with his god Lonoikaoualii. It is said that Laamaikahiki was the first person who brought idols to Hawaii.
Laamaikahiki lived in Kauai for a time, when he moved over to Kahikinui in Maui. This place was named in honor of Laamaikahiki. As the place was too windy, Laamaikahiki left it and sailed for the west coast of the island of Kahoolawe, where he lived until he finally left for Tahiti. It is said that because Laamaikahiki lived on Kahoolawe, and set sail from that island, was the reason why the ocean to the west of Kahoolawe is called “the road to Tahiti”.
After Laamaikahiki had lived on Kahoolawe for a time, his priests became dissatisfied with the place, so Laamaikahiki left Kahoolawe and returned to Kauai. Upon the death of Moikeha the land descended to Kila, and Laamaikahiki returned to Tahiti.
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