CHAPTER I.

Kawelo a Timid Youth.—Learns Swimming, Fishing and Dancing.—Covets the Wives of Aikanaka.

Kawelo was born at Pupulimu, [1114] in Waimea, Kauai. Heulu was the father, and Haiamu was the mother, of whom the child, Kawelo, was begotten. During Kawelo’s childhood he was a timid stripling whenever his companions or others challenged him to fight. His elder brother was Kauahoa, [1115] who was born of the same parents. Kauahoa had been previously adopted by Haulili, [1116] the great one of Hanalei. The purpose for which his elder brother had been taken away was because he was found to be very strong, and, therefore, was feared lest he should kill his younger brother.

Let us turn aside and glance at Kawelo. While Kawelo dwelt peacefully with his parents a desire entered his mind to go sea bathing, which was his favorite pastime from his infancy up to the time of his death. In his eighteenth year a secret longing prompted Kawelo to seek the wives of his half-brother, Aikanaka, the king of Kauai. Said he to Heulu, his father: “How amazing is the greatness of my desire for the wives of my lord brother! By what means may they be obtained?” Whereupon the father asked: “Do you really wish the wives of your lord to be yours?” “Yes,” Kawelo replied. “Here is the means whereby they may be won: let me teach you how to fish.”

So they entered upon the task of learning, and not very long after the instruction was begun Kawelo became proficient. Wherefore he immediately went out to fish. In a short period of fishing a great heap of fish was caught. He patiently waited for, but failed to secure the women; so he said to the father: “I can not in the least obtain the wives of my elder brother.” “Then go farming,” answered the father. He went to till the soil, and the things that he planted thrived. He waited, but could not secure [them]; then he meditated: “Indeed! It appeared as though my father’s instructions to me were the wise policy whereby those women may be mine; but lo! they are not.”

Thereafter, he began to learn dancing. In educating himself to dance, and becoming proficient therein, he immediately held a dancing exhibit before a large gathering. When he went to dance Kawelo was arrayed in a feather cape. The women saw that Kawelo was very skillful in dancing, so they fell upon him and kissed him. At that moment he mused, “At last here is the means whereby I have secured both, which is dancing.” When he had finished dancing, and when night had come, the women went and met Kawelo; whereupon they lived as husband and wives. Let us leave the narrative of Kawelo with his wives and turn to Aikanaka.