CHAPTER II

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HOW LONOIKAMAKAHIKI SEARCHED INTO THE MOST USEFUL THINGS.

When Lonoikamakahiki became older and more matured in thought he expressed a desire to know the things that would be of the most use to him, especially in the games, so he tried each one of them, as well as the different arts of warfare indulged in by his father, the things that were told him by his retainers as the things most desired.

After Lonoikamakahiki had tried these different things he was convinced that they were of no use, as he had said. The thrust and dodging spear, the sling, and the care of the god, however, were of value. He therefore made a visit around the island of Hawaii accompanied by his parents and retainers.

Hauna and his younger brother Loli, the personal attendants or retainers of Lonoikamakahiki, were prophets; they were men who paid attention strictly to the laws of the gods, and it was said that they were men who possessed supernatural powers, and that they were able to perform many miracles in the name of the god of Keawenuiaumi, and also in the name of their own god.

In this circuit of the island made by Lonoikamakahiki and his parents, upon their arrival at Hilo they made their abode at Kanokapa, a place adjoining the mouth of the Wailuku river, where lived a man by the name of Kawaamaukele, a great priest and counselor. He was a very old man, his head was wholly gray.

When Lonoikamakahiki saw the old man he was greatly surprised, because this man was the only man that differed from the rest of the men that came in the presence of Keawenuiaumi; his hair was so long that it reached below his waist, a thing common with the high priests, however. When Lonoikamakahiki, who was sitting with his attendants, had looked at the old man for some time he asked: “Is that old man with the long hair a god?” The attendants replied: “He is not a god; he is a human being, but not of the ordinary kind; he is a counselor. He is also the high priest, higher than all the others.” Again Lonoikamakahiki asked: “What is the old man good for?” The attendants replied: “The man who is a counselor is a very great man in the court of the king; he must be a man who is skilful in language, and whatever advice he gives the king, the king will take heed. He can predict the coming of prosperity to the land and the people. That man can tell whether a common person will become rich or poor, or the chief who will become wealthy or not.”

When Lonoikamakahiki heard these remarks from one of his retainers he was greatly impressed that such a thing could be possible, that is, that the man could tell whether a chief will become rich or poor. He therefore asked of his attendants: “And will that old man be able to recognize me?” The attendants: “Yes, he will not overlook you [239] and also your doings in the future.” Lonoikamakahiki again asked them: “Is there any restriction placed on that man, that is, something that will prevent young people from addressing him? And are the grown up people the only ones that are allowed to speak to him?” The attendants replied: “You are indeed privileged to address that old man. Counselors and priests are retained and cared for to be used by the chiefs.”

Because of this Lonoikamakahiki sent one of his attendants to go and bring the aged counselor, Kawaamaukele. When he came in the presence of Keawenuiaumi and Lonoikamakahiki, Lonoikamakahiki spoke up saying: “You have been requested to come here because I have been told that you are an old man who is learned in the things of the future and can tell whether a chief will become rich or poor; therefore I want you to make an examination of me and tell me what I am to be in the future.” Kawaamaukele then replied: “You are going to be a wealthy chief at times, but when you reach maturity then you will become poor, in that you will be without followers; but you are going to be a brave chief.” Lonoikamakahiki then again asked him: “What profession shall I take up in order that I may become wealthy? If you know what I can take up that will be profitable as a profession, then we will take it up and you instruct me in its detail.” The priest paused for a while, thinking of what Lonoikamakahiki had asked, and then replied: “The professions that will make you famous all over the islands are that of a counselor and hoopapa. [240] If you can be an expert in this profession of hoopapa, then you will become wealthy.” Lonoikamakahiki took to heart every word spoken by the high priest.

Sometime after this the profession of hoopapa was taken up by Lonoikamakahiki and he was educated into the different things of the profession pertaining to that portion relating to language, and after he had mastered it he in later years did become famous all over the islands. This made the third thing that Lonoikamakahiki became proficient in up to the time of his death, and he caused no end of trouble for certain chiefs.

After completing the study of hoopapa in Hilo he returned with his parents to Napoopoo, where they took up their residence and he immediately practiced his profession on his playmates, and in this manner he made practical use of it. In this way the profession of hoopapa became a favorite thing with him, making use of it day after day. After a time, however, Lonoikamakahiki began to ensnare his playmates by getting into argument with them in order to test his profession of wrangling. All the crowds of children in Kealakekua were taken up by Lonoikamakahiki and defeated. In thus making practical tests of his vocation Lonoikamakahiki, although making great headway, was at the same time unaware of his advance in his profession; but the person who had charge of his education was well aware of his skill in argument.

When Lonoikamakahiki grew to the age of maturity he took unto himself his cousin Kaikilani to be his wife. During the early part of their married life they lived in peace and happiness, and nothing occurred between them to cause any dissatisfaction. During all the time that they lived as man and wife they did not have issue; but Kaikilani had three children with Kanaloakuaana, an uncle of Kaikilani’s. When Kanaloakuaana took Kaikilani to be his wife their issue was Kalanioumi and Kealiiokalani, who were girls, and Keakealani, a boy.

Before Keawenuiaumi died he requested Lonoikamakahiki to take the head of the government, but Lonoikamakahiki did not think it proper to do so. What Lonoikamakahiki told his father was, that he did not wish to take charge of the affairs of state at that time, but to defer the time until he was able to master the arts of warfare, when he could become expert therein; then he would take charge. Because of this, Keawenuiaumi left the whole island of Hawaii in the care of Kaikilani. [241] After the death of Keawenuiaumi, Kaikilani took charge of the government. She was the first chiefess who became the ruler of the land.

After Kaikilani had assumed the care of the government, Lonoikamakahiki made a circuit of the island of Hawaii making public competitions in all the different arts of warfare mastered by him, in which he was always victorious. Word of these accomplishments of Lonoikamakahiki was in time carried to the hearing of Kanaloakuaana. When Lonoikamakahiki arrived home after making this circuit, he competed in boxing against Kanaloakuaana, for he, too, was skilful in all the arts of warfare. Kanaloakuaana did not demand this competition for any other purpose than to test for himself how proficient Lonoikamakahiki was, therefore they tried at boxing and Kanaloakuaana found that he was skilful. Kanaloakuaana then took up spear throwing as the next thing. At this Lonoikamakahiki said: “I have not studied the art of spear throwing; but what I have mastered is the art of dodging the spear.” Kanaloakuaana therefore took him at his word and did the throwing while Lonoikamakahiki did the dodging. In this trial Kanaloakuaana was satisfied that Lonoikamakahiki was indeed master of this art. The dodging of two spears at once was next taken up and again he proved himself to be proficient.

When Kanaloakuaana saw that Lonoikamakahiki was very skilful in dodging this number of spears they tried the dodging of four spears thrown at once; but these were as nothing to Lonoikamakahiki. This trial was continued until they reached ten spears. When this number of spears was reached Kanaloakuaana was certain that Lonoikamakahiki was master of more than ten spears, so he concluded to make further trials, the dodging of any number of spears at once.

In order to make this further trial Kanaloakuaana took Lonoikamakahiki to Kailua, to the sandy beach at Kaiakekua. When they came to the place, Kanaloakuaana said to Lonoikamakahiki: “I want to be positive of your great skill, hence I have brought you here for that test and to satisfy myself that you are indeed a master. We have tested you from one to ten spears, and I am sure you are skilful in the dodging of that number. There is, however, one more trial—the dodging of any number of spears. If you are proficient in this, then you are indeed expert.”

After Kanaloakuaana had spoken the above words, the people who were to throw the spears arose in front and on both sides of Lonoikamakahiki, leaving his back free. There were about thirty spearmen to throw at the same time. After the men were ready and the spears thrown it was seen that Lonoikamakahiki was not hit by a single one of them. Kanaloakuaana continued the test from thirty spears until the number had reached two times forty spears; still Lonoikamakahiki was not hit. The only time that Lonoikamakahiki was pricked was by himself with his own spear. The trials in the different arts were carried out in the most severe way until all the different arts were gone through.

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