CHAPTER I

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THE PIILANI FAMILY: CHANT OF MAUI CHIEFS.

We will here learn of the brothers of Piikea. The first-born of the family was Piilani, [189] a boy; the one following after him was Piikea whom we have already been introduced to as the wife of Umi. Following her was Kihapiilani, another boy; and the last of the family was Kalanipiilani, also a boy, who died young. Piilani was the heir to the kingdom of Maui, while his younger brother and sister, Kihapiilani and Piikea, were placed under him. This was the expressed will of Piilani to them, but Piilani disregarded the words of their father.

When Piilani came to the throne of all Maui he made his residence at Kauiki in Hana, and there he took his brother to live with him. While living together Piilani did not care for his brother according to the instructions of their father before his death. It was customary with Piilani while eating, or sitting in company, to care more for the others than his brother Kihapiilani. Every time his brother was around he would show a marked degree of hatred towards him, and he evinced his displeasure in many ways.

One day while Piilani was eating with his companions, all strangers, enjoying the good things placed before them, Kihapiilani, although present at the table, was not served with any of the good things; but, in front of him was placed a small calabash containing some small fish. This dish belonged to Piilani. Seeing that this was all there was to be had within reach, he reached into the dish and took out two small fish and ate them. While doing this he was seen by Piilani. Piilani then reached for the dish and held it up in his hand, then asked of Kihapiilani: “Who ate of the fish in this dish?” Kihapiilani replied: “I did, because there was nothing else for me to eat.” Piilani then threw the dish with the fish in it, brine and all, at the forehead of his brother, breaking the dish into pieces and spattering the fish and brine into the eyes of Kihapiilani which blinded him for a while.

Because of this ill treatment by his elder brother, showing no love or respect for him, Kihapiilani got up and secretly ran away to Kalaniwai, a place in Makawao. While there he met a woman belonging to the place and they were united and lived as husband and wife. The people of the place, however, did not know that this was Kihapiilani, the chief, but took him to be a man from the country. While living with his wife’s parents he was often spoken of as a lazy fellow, spending his time sleeping instead of going out to work. When Kihapiilani heard his wife’s parents speak of him as being a lazy fellow, he got up and went down to get potato stalks in the lowlands of Kaluaama at Haiku. Upon his arrival at this place, an old man by the name of Kukuiokaaulani saw him and recognized him as of high rank; so he said to his companion, another old man: “Say, that man that is coming down is either a chief or a priest.” After a while he again remarked: “It must be a chief. If there was but one rainbow, then it would be a priest; [190] but since there are two it must surely be a chief.” The two finally decided that the person was a chief, for the fact of the disappearance of Kihapiilani was well known. The two old men then waited for the approach of the stranger. As soon as he came up to them they greeted him, saying: “Our salutation to the chief.” Kihapiilani then admonished them, saying: “Be quiet. Since you two have recognized me you must not reveal my identity.”

After this Kihapiilani continued on his way until he came to Kaluaama, where a large patch of sweet potatoes was growing. Kihapiilani then proceeded to pick a quantity of stalks, taking and breaking them from the vines, leaving the hills bare. While he was thus busily picking stalks the owner of the patch arrived, and upon seeing what Kihapiilani was doing he came up to him and began beating him with a stick, but Kihapiilani paid no attention to his beating but kept on picking stalks. After he had picked a quantity sufficient for his purpose he tied them into a large pack, placed the pack on to his back and started for the uplands of Kalaniwai.

When Kihapiilani arrived at the place where the old men were living they asked him: “What is your name?” Kihapiilani replied: “My name is Kihapiilani.” When the old men heard this it confirmed their guess of the morning. The old men then asked him again: “What is the object of the chief’s journey to these parts?” Kihapiilani replied: “I am seeking for someone to kill my brother Piilani. That is the object of my search.” Kihapiilani then related the incident of the insult which caused Kihapiilani to seek revenge. When the old men heard this they said: “Your older brother is as good as dead; he shall not live. Go to that house whose door is opened toward Waikapu; there you will find our sister, Pao by name. Upon your arrival at the place she will direct you what to do next, then you will gain your object and your older brother will be at your mercy.” Kihapiilani agreed to follow out the advice of the old men and said: “I will go along home and plant my potato stalks: after that has been done, then I will carry out your instructions.”

We will here set forth the chant composed in honor of Piikea and her brothers.

Kukaipaoa, [191] the lofty one is a chief, A chief of the heavens, a cloud Of the great heaven is Kumakomako, [192] A chief of the rocky cliffs of Kahuku, They are the solid [193] chiefs belonging to Lonokaeho. It was the brow of Lono that was anointed with the milk of the coconut, That was dedicated with the black [194] pig of Kane, The black pig of Lono. O Lono, here is your royal offspring, Your leaf, your shoot, your offshoot, your bud, Your sacred chief, Kihapiilani; Your chiefly offspring who stands in the light. Protect thou the sacred bud of Keaka, The thrifty sprout of Keakamahana That grew and flowered, The drooping flower of Hemahema, and Kaikilani, To whom belonged the drooping leaves of Kanaloa, Like the black-haired dog [195] in whose eye Blackness dwells in the pupil, With striped marks on the forehead, Marks of the kikakapu, [196] The sacred fish with the bitter gall. Bitter is the chiefess Keaka, [197] Who grew and developed through Keakealani. [198] By them was the sacred law broken, Broken by the product of the great chiefs. Here is a great district chief standing here; Kauhi is great; it is the foundation of the isles. Keaka is great for she has produced eight. The seas of her lands are noised on the shoals, [199] As rolling waves from the shoals of Kahiki. Keawe the great commander has arrived, The only offspring of the cloud in the heaven By the chiefess Kalanikauleleiwi. [200] This is Keaka’s chiefly one, by Keawe. That attraction was Piilani, For Keawe dwelt at Piilani’s, The gathering place of great chiefs. A chief, several chiefs were seen; They are the chiefs who go idly by, Walking about until the close of the day. In the month born of Ikiiki. [201] The heaven above is panting [for breath], The rain for the month is far removed, Far driven away is the rain. The earth is suffering as one in travail. The mountain trembles, the flood gushes with violence; It is indeed stormy for the lands are overturned and floating, The breast of the isle is floating On the dividing current of Kuala. Of Kanaiki of the isle, For the sound of crackling is heard, It is the chiefs on the place of prayer, They are the people of the sacred house Within the confines of mana, [202] the lizard. [203] One belonging to Hina, taken by Haloa. Excellent Kalani, he is being delayed. Boasting of his being a great favorite When the word came to him To take charge of his kingdom, For the chief was of the month of Ikiiki, of Kaaona; Of Hanaia, of Hinaiaeleele. Thence came Piikea the wife of Umi, She was the first-born of Laielohelohe, Given birth through Piilani. Lonopii [204] was born, a male. Kihapiilani was born, a male, Given birth through Piilani, Kihapiilani, Kalanilonaakea. [Of] light [205] skin [and] white loin cloth. Kihapiilani shall see bitterness. There were four from Laielohelohe; [206] They possessed the border [207] of the tabu Of Kalamaku, of Kauhiholua, Of Kauhiholua, of Lupeikalani. It was Nalu that spun the fish-line of Makalii, [208] The fish-line of three strands which excels in length. The chief is like a hidden strand Which was caught at Miloa by Hanauane. Kuhihewa [209] was then born. Kaihikapu [210] of Kuhihewa was the younger, Kaihikapu with the thick skin, Crackled skin [211] crackled by the kapus. The thick, ugly skin of the chief Mano, [212] Mano, of the sharp skin, the rough skin, Like the roughness of the pumpkin leaf Like the roughness of the rough-skinned fish, The peculiar skin of Mano, he of the hard forehead. [213] The seed of Mano, belonging to Mano Is the loin product of Mano. Together with Nohoamakalii, [214] Mano lived and cohabited with Pulanaieie; [215] Kalanipiilani [216] was his child The only offspring [217] of Manookalanipo. [218] The eyes are like two kindly chiefs Who are haughty in their lofty position. The light showers of the summer Were scattered [219] on the plain of Kailo. Calmness is seen at Hauoa of Keawe, Gathering on the heated road. The calm and clearness have reached you two. Drooping is the diminutive of Puna, Puna of the angry eyes, The guardian of Kahinanalo The isle of Ohikihokolio, Previously secured for my chief; For the sand crab; [220] let joy prevail, The long-lived chief, watch over him.

[A word is here necessary in reference to the composition of this mele. The history of the kings of Maui is mentioned in this chant and the composition of it was made solely for the Maui kings.]

We will now continue with the story of Kihapiilani.

At the close of the conversation between the old men and Kihapiilani, he continued on his way to the uplands of Kalaniwai, where he began planting his potato stalks. For some time Kihapiilani devoted his whole time to the cultivation of his fields, until his season of want was finally passed, for he felt bitterly the shame and insult shown him by his wife’s parents when he was called a lazy fellow. When the potatoes were at last matured he turned them over to his wife and her parents.

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