CHAPTER VII

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HOW UMI AND PIIKEA, THE DAUGHTER OF PIILANI, THE KING OF MAUI BECAME UNITED.

After the advice of Kaoleioku to Umi was agreed upon by all the chiefs as well as the king, Omaokamau was sent to Maui to inform Piilani of the desire of the chiefs of Hawaii, that Piikea become the wife of Umi. After the matter was fully understood and the arrangements perfected, Omaokamau set out for Maui and landed at Kapueokahi in Hana, a place close to the Kauiki hill. As the double canoe was making the shore the people of Maui became greatly excited, for they thought this canoe was the forerunner of war, and the people began to run back and forth not knowing what to do. Therefore they went and inquired of Omaokamau: “What is the object of the call of your canoe?” Omaokamau replied: “It is on a journey of sightseeing.” Omaokamau then in turn asked the people: “Where is the king and queen?” “They are at home.” Omaokamau then proceeded to the king’s house. When Piilani saw him, he said: “You make a quick passage.” Omaokamau greeted those present, and the people greeted him in return. After the respective courtesies had been exchanged Piilani inquired: “What is the object of this visit made by Hawaii’s emissary?” Omaokamau replied: “It is in search of a wife. The chiefs of Hawaii have agreed that Umi should be the husband and Piikea the wife; they should be united.” When Piilani, the father of Piikea, heard the words spoken by Omaokamau he was much pleased and he immediately gave his consent to grant the wish of the chiefs of Hawaii.

Before Omaokamau landed on Maui the people as well as Piilani the king were afraid of the canoe, thinking that it was a war canoe that they saw coming to their shores; but when they heard that it was in search of a wife they were greatly relieved.

After Piilani had heard the message delivered by Omaokamau, he ordered his men to prepare food and meat for the strangers. Upon receiving these orders the people immediately set out to prepare food and meat, and after they were ready they were set before Omaokamau and his followers.

Omaokamau remained with Piilani for ten days, and during that time he became a great favorite with the king, which good feeling was continued to the day of his departure for Hawaii.

When Omaokamau was about ready to make his return, Piikea called Omaokamau, to whom she gave her love message, saying: “Omaokamau, you are about to return to the presence of the great king of Hawaii. When you meet him, give him my love. Tell him that I, his maid servant, am pleased and honored to accede to his desires, and shall from now on cherish him in my heart, and will think of him day and night, even in my sleep. Until I come to meet my lord face to face twenty days will have passed, then I shall sail.” At the close of Piikea’s remarks, Omaokamau and his followers set out on their return, and on the evening of the same day they landed at Waipio where the king was waiting for their return.

Upon the arrival of Omaokamau he immediately proceeded to the king’s house and in his presence delivered the message from Piikea and Piilani. When Umi heard that his wish was favorably received by Piikea and her father he was much pleased. At the end of the report, Umi asked of Omaokamau: “What sort of a looking woman is the young chiefess? Is she good looking?” Omaokamau replied: “Yes, she is very beautiful; we have no woman in Hawaii like Piikea. She is only a young girl, but her face is fair to look upon; she is perfect from the top of her head to the soles of her feet.” When Umi heard this he was quite happy and was desirous to see her at once. Umi then gave the people orders that preparations be immediately made for her reception within twenty days.

In the meantime Umi had completed final arrangements in Waipio, and everything was ready for the reception of Piikea from Maui. And so also did Piilani, on Maui, complete his final preparations to meet Umi.

At the end of twenty days Piikea set sail for Hawaii to meet Umi. She was accompanied by a fleet of canoes amounting to about four hundred. While the canoes were still out in the channel of Alenuihaha, [168] the red insignia of the canoe bearing the young princess was plainly seen from Waipio, and by this sign the people knew that it was the young princess Piikea of Maui. As Piikea was about to touch the Waipio beach the heaven was covered over by thick rain clouds, and a rainbow formed standing from in front of the canoe of the princess to its rear and remained standing proudly like a huge helmet. As soon as the canoe bearing Piikea was beached Omaokamau stepped up to it and lifted Piikea out and placed her on the shoulders of Piimaiwaa, who carried her into the presence of Umi the king. Umi then greeted Piikea, and she greeted Umi in return.

The love borne by the two toward each other was mutual and they lived as husband and wife in peace and happiness.

Some little time after the two had been united, tidings were brought of the death of Piilani, the father of Piikea, and king of Maui.

[At this point is inserted Kamakau’s version of the history of Umi from the account of the death of Hakau, to bring in the particulars of Umi’s Hawaii experiences therein recorded, up to the time of his death, omitted in the foregoing version.—Ed.]

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