CHAPTER I.

Halemano, Love-sick Through a Dream-infatuation, Dies.—Is Restored to Life by His Sister Laenihi.—She Visits Puna in Search of Halemano’s Ideal.—Meets Her and Reveals Her Errand.—With Tokens She Returns Home.—Halemano Instructed, Sets Out to Win Kamalalawalu.—Abducts Her and Returns to Oahu.—Hookupu in Kamalalawalu’s Honor.

Wahiawa [252] and Kukaniloko[252] were the father and mother of Halemano.[252] Kaukaalii was the mother of Kukaniloko, [253] and the land of Halemano, [254] which is next to Lihue in Waianae, is the place where Halemano was born. Through the married life of Wahiawa and Kukaniloko, his wife, six children were born to them, four males and two females. The names of the children were as follows: Maeaea, the first, was a male; Kaiaka, the second, was also a male; Anahulu, the third, was another male; Halemano, the youngest of the children, was another male; Pulee was a female; Laenihi was a female with supernatural powers.

Laenihi was the eldest, and Halemano, the youngest [of the family], and the hero of this story. He was nurtured in Kaau until he grew up, and became a very handsome man, perfect in form, without pimples or deformity, with straight back and open countenance. [255] While Halemano was living with his grandmother, Kaukaalii, at Kaau, in Waianae, he was subject to dreams.

Concerning Kamalalawalu: she was the daughter of Hanakaulua and Haehae of Kapoho, Puna, Hawaii. The parents of Kamalalawalu were chiefs of the land of Kapoho. She was a very beautiful woman to behold, far superior to all the women of Puna and Hilo, a virgin, brought up under very strict kapu; no person was allowed to see her and she had no companion other than her own brother, Kumukahi. These two had eight hundred dogs for their companions. [256]

At this time Huaa was the king of Puna, and Kulukulua was the king of Hilo. Both of these kings were courting Kamalalawalu, giving her large quantities of properties from Puna and Hilo, with the idea that in time one of them would win her hand and take her to wife.

In Halemano’s first dream, he dreamed that he met Kamalalawalu in Kaau. After that he met her in his dreams frequently, and this happened so often that he fell deeply in love with the object of his dreams. Because of this great love, Halemano refused to take food and meat, and he denied himself everything; his whole mind was centered on Kamalalawalu, both night and day. And because of this he became very ill and finally died.

Laenihi, who was the elder of Halemano, in the meantime was traveling from place to place in search of a wife for Halemano her brother. In her search she went until near Puna, when she was recalled upon hearing of the death of Halemano which forced her to return to Kaau in Waianae, Oahu. Because of this she failed to meet Kamalalawalu. When Laenihi arrived at Kaau, through her power to restore the dead to life, Halemano was again brought back to life.

Shortly after Halemano was restored to life, Laenihi asked him: “What was the cause of your death?” Halemano replied: “It is because of a woman. This is the manner of her appearance [in my dreams]: she is very beautiful; her eyes and body are perfect; she has long, straight, black hair; is tall, dignified, and seems to be of very high rank like a chiefess.” Laenihi again asked him: “What is the nature of her outward dress?” “Her dress seems to be scented with pele and mahuna [257] of Kauai, and her pa-u is made of some very light material dyed red. She wears a hala [258] wreath and a lehua [259] wreath on her head and around her neck.” Laenihi then said: “It is in Puna and Hilo that the lehua blossoms are found. It is in Puna that the ouholowai [260] of Laa and the pukohukohu [261] are found; therefore, your lover must be a woman of Puna; she is not of the west. If it is Kamalalawalu, the woman I heard so much of while in Puna, then she must be very beautiful indeed.” Laenihi then again asked: “How do you meet her?” Halemano replied: “When I fall asleep we meet very soon after, and you could hear us talk if you should listen; even now you could hear us if I fall asleep.” Laenihi then said: “Yes, you may go to sleep now. If you should meet your lover, ask her to give you her name and the name of the land in which she lives.”

After Halemano had received these instructions he fell asleep and again met Kamalalawalu. In this dream Halemano asked Kamalalawalu: “What is the name of the land of your birth and what is your name?” “Kapoho in Puna, Hawaii, is the land of my birth; it is where the sun rises, and not in the west. My name is Kamalalawalu.” Shortly after this Halemano awoke from his sleep, and he told Laenihi of his dream. When Laenihi heard this she said: “You must partake of some food and I will go and bring you your lover from Hawaii.” Halemano then consented and took some food.

Before Laenihi set out for Hawaii to bring Kamalalawalu, she told of the signs of her going so as to make known to those behind of her arrival and coming home, whereby they could tell whether her mission was a success or not. The signs were as follows: “If it rains, then I am at Molokai. If the lightning flashes, then I am at Maui. If it thunders, I am at Kohala. If you feel an earthquake, I am at Hamakua. If the red water flows, I am at Puna. If the signs show that I am at Puna, then you can be sure that I will be able to get your lover. You must consider these things I am telling you, else you will forget.” Soon after this Laenihi went off in the form of a fish; and the fish that is called laenihi [262] is named after her. This is the name of this fish to this day.

It was in the evening that Laenihi set out and when she was off the coast of Haleolono in Palaau, Molokai, it began to rain [in Oahu]. Those with whom she had left the instructions were surprised at the speed she was traveling. From this place she next passed off Hanakaieie at Kahikinui in Honuaula, Maui, and the lightning flashed. The people were again greatly amazed at her great speed. From Maui she next passed off Umiwai in Kohala, Hawaii, when the people heard the roar of the thunder; then when she was off the coast of Pololikamanu outside of Mahiki, Hamakua, the people felt an earthquake. Next she passed Hilo and then off the coast of Panaewa, then off Kukulu, directly outside of Puna, when the red water flowed. At sight of this the last sign the people knew that Laenihi had reached Kamalalawalu.

When Laenihi arrived at Kapoho in Puna, Hawaii, she began to devise a way by which she would be able to meet Kamalalawalu, as she was then within the confines of her kapued place. At last Laenihi hit upon a plan. She, through her power, first caused the wind from the sea to blow, called the unuloa, which caused the sea to be aroused from its calm repose and the surf off Kaimu began to roll in. It is here that the people at all times go in surf riding. Early that morning the surf began to roll in. When the people rose from their sleep and saw the surf, they all began to shout and yell. While the people were shouting, Kumukahi, the brother of Kamalalawalu heard it and he came out to see the cause, and saw that it was the surf; so he returned and told Kamalalawalu of the matter. On hearing this she rose and prepared to go out [surf riding].

A few words in relation to Kumukahi the brother of Kamalalawalu. Kumukahi was a great favorite with his sister, not a single request would be refused by his sister that she could comply with, from the greatest to the smallest.

When Kamalalawalu saw the surf rolling in at Kaimu she started out for the beach. Upon arriving at the place she stood on the sand and watched for a chance to swim out. She allowed the first roller, known as the kakala, to come in until it reached the shore; then the second, known as the pakaiea; then the third, the opuu; as soon as this roller reached the shore, she plunged in and swam out to the place where the rollers began to curve up. When she arrived at this place she took the first roller that came along and rode in on it. This she repeated three times, when the surf began to grow smaller till after a short while there was none to be seen. She then waited with the hope of again seeing the surf grow larger; but after waiting until she was almost stiff with the cold not a single surf could be seen; so she concluded to return to the shore.

At about this time, Laenihi caused the surf to rise again and it began to roll in. When Kamalalawalu saw this she again returned and took the first surf and rode in, but before she reached the shore it ceased and the surf again disappeared. Just as she reached the shallow water she saw a fish and Kumukahi at the same time called out to her: “Kamalalawalu, take up my favorite, the fish.” This fish was Laenihi herself. Kamalalawalu could not refuse the request of her brother; so she took up the fish and returned home. After arriving at the house the fish was put into a calabash of salt water and it became a plaything for Kumukahi.

That night after everybody had fallen asleep, Laenihi transformed herself from a fish into a rooster; it then flew onto the roosting place outside and began to crow. The crowing was kept up until the dawn began to break. The rooster then proceeded down to the seashore where it transformed itself into a woman. Laenihi then returned to the house where Kamalalawalu was living. When she arrived at the house Kamalalawalu asked her: “Where are you from?” “I am from near here.” “There is no woman like you near here, and even if you belonged to any place near, you would not come, because they all know that people are forbidden from coming here on pain of death.” Laenihi then said: “I come from shoreward.” “If that is so you are telling me the truth.” Laenihi then proceeded to speak of her errand: “Have you ever met a man in your dreams?” “No,” said Kamalalawalu. Laenihi again asked: “Have you no wreath that you have worn until withered?” “I have a wreath, but I am not going to give it to you, for you may cause my death [263] with it.” Laenihi replied: “All right, you give it to me and in case you should become ill, come for me and I will come and cure you. I am living at Kaimu; my name is Nawahinemakaakai.” [264] Laenihi took the wreath and then asked for the pa-u of Kamalalawalu which was also given up.

After Laenihi had received these things she returned from Hawaii to Waialua and from there on to where Halemano was living. Laenihi then showed him the wreath and the pa-u. Upon seeing these things Halemano hastily prepared himself to go to Hawaii; but Laenihi rebuked him, saying: “You will not be able to get her in that way. Here is the way to get her: You must first make some playthings for the favorite brother of Kamalalawalu, Kumukahi by name; because I have seen that whatever things he desires his sister would always do; she will deny nothing that her brother requests of her.”

Laenihi then instructed the people from Waialua to Waianae that wooden idols be hewed out and that they be painted red and black. Orders were also issued that wooden chickens be made to ride on the surf, also koieie [265] floaters, and kites to fly above; also that a red canoe be prepared and red men be had to paddle the canoe. The men should be provided with red paddles and the canoe must be rigged with red cords, [266] and that a large and a small canoe be provided. After these different things were ready they set out for Puna, Hawaii. Upon their arrival off of Makuu and Popoki, two small pieces of lands next to Puna, the kite was put up. When the people on the shore saw this flying object they all shouted with joy.

While the people were shouting Kumukahi, the brother of Kamalalawalu, heard it and he came out to see the cause of the shouting. When he saw the kite he ran to the beach and called out to the men in the canoe: “Let me have the thing that flies.” Laenihi said to Halemano: “Let the boy have the kite,” and it was then given to Kumukahi. The small canoe was then let down and as it floated through the surf the people ashore again shouted with joy. Kumukahi turned back and called out to those in the canoe, saying: “Let me have that small canoe.” Laenihi gave her consent. He then requested all the things exhibited by the people until the idols were the only things left. Laenihi then ordered that the idols be made to stand up in all the canoes. When Kumukahi saw the idols he asked that they all be given to him.

At this Laenihi and Halemano said: “Are you a favorite with your sister?” “Yes,” answered Kumukahi, “she will do anything I ask of her.” “Call for her then.” Kumukahi then called out: “Kamalalawalu, come here. I cannot get these playthings unless you come.” Upon the arrival of Kamalalawalu another request was made of Kumukahi: “Are you a favorite with your sister, and would she mind if you asked her to turn her back this way?” “Yes.” Kamalalawalu then turned her back toward the canoes. The people then looked at her and saw that she was neither humped back nor deformed in any way. After inspecting her they said to the brother: “Are you a favorite with your sister, and would she obey you if you request of her to turn her face this way?” “Yes.” Kamalalawalu then faced toward the canoes.

Soon after this Kamalalawalu went aboard one of the canoes; whereupon Halemano gave orders to the paddlers that they start on their return, and the two were thus carried off to Oahu. The people of Puna and Hilo pursued them but could not come near them, as by the power of Halemano and Laenihi they were soon left far to the rear.

In this flight to Oahu, one canoe, the one in which was Kumukahi, landed at Hauula, Koolauloa. There was at this place an image standing, Malaekahana by name; upon seeing this image, Kumukahi took such a fancy to it that he remained there. Halemano and the others, together with Kamalalawalu, continued on their way and landed at Ukoa at Waialua. As soon as the canoe in which Kamalalawalu was a passenger landed, a crier [267] was sent out to make a circuit of Waialua and Waianae with orders to the people to come and give presents [268] to Kamalalawalu.

About three days after the hookupu, Kamalalawalu for the first time missed Kumukahi, so she asked of Halemano and Laenihi: “Where is Kumukahi?” “He is at Hauula where he is enraptured by an image that is there.” Kamalalawalu then said: “Go and bring him here.” When Kumukahi arrived, Kamalalawalu said to him: “You had better return to Hawaii with the presents to our parents and to our people, else some of them will feel troubled over us.” Kumukahi in obedience to his sister returned to Hawaii.