HE WAHI MO‘OLELO NO KA ‘ĀINA A ME NĀ ‘OHANA O WAIKI‘I MA WAIKŌLOA (KALANA O WAIMEA, KOHALA), A ME KA ‘ĀINA MAUNA: A Collection of Traditions and Historical Accounts of the Lands and Families of Waiki‘i at Waikōloa (Waimea Region, South Kohala), and the Mountain Lands, Island of Hawai‘i
Kumu Pono Associates
PREPARED BY Kepā Maly and Onaona Maly
NOVEMBER 12, 2002
Daniel Tyerman. Originally printed in Daniel Tyerman and George Bennett, Esq., Journal of Voyages and Travels (London: Crocker and Brewster, 1832). Kawaihae 1822
Kamehameha I in South Kohala In ca. 1790 Kamehameha I and his chiefs were living at Kawaihae. Following the advice of a priest from Kaua‘i, Kamehameha undertook the reconstruction of the heiau Pu‘u Koholā, to dedicate it as a house for his god, Kūkā‘ilimoku (Kamakau 1961:154) During this time, “thousands of people were encamped on the neighboring hillsides” (Fornander 1996:328). Then, between 1792 and 1796, after the dedication of Pu‘u Koholā, Kamehameha lived at Kawaihae and worked the lands of the Waimea-Waikōloa Region. In 1796, Kamehameha initiated work on the great peleleu canoe fleet for the invasion of Kaua‘i. During those years, Kamehameha worked on the heiau of the land and ensured the safety of those who traveled the trails of South Kohala. Kamakau also noted that Puakō was an important source of coconuts which were used in the dedication of the heiau of Kamehameha:
Kamehameha saw an old man with his grandson on his way home across the plain of Kawaihae. He was gasping under a heavy load of ti root. Pitying him, Kamehameha drew near to help him. When the load was taken from him the old man, supposing Kamehameha to be a robber, exclaimed, “What are you doing! These plains are under the tabu of Pai‘ea [Kamehameha].” “Is Pai‘ea a good chief? “Yes, Pai‘ea is a good chief. He makes the old man and the old woman to sleep [without fear] by the roadside. He is a good chief; it is his favorites who are bad and rob others.” Bad indeed!” said Kamehameha, and he carried the old man’s load until they came to the beach close to Kawaihae. Then he said, “If some men overtake you, do not tell them that I carried your load for you thus far.” Some time later the old man was overtaken by Kamehameha’s favorites who asked him, “Have you seen the chief, Kamehameha?” The old man was terrified, believing that he would die for letting the chief carry his load; but Kamehameha was a kindly chief and a patient one.
While Kamehameha was living with the chiefs at Waimea [he was] engaged in restoring the old heiaus. When the fence of images (paehumu), the oracle tower (anu‘unu‘u), and the pavement (kipapa) of the heiau of Uli had been restored, all the people had to go down to Puako after coconuts. When each had taken up his load to return there remained still 480 nuts unhusked. All had gone except Kamehameha and one other to whom the chief was unknown. Kamehameha turned to him and said, “It looks as if there would not be enough coconuts for the dedication in the morning.” It is possible that the man recognized the chief for he replied, “They will all be there.” The two put the nuts into nets and fastened them together into a huge load that stood taller than either of them. The road from Puako to Waimea is close to twenty miles in length. Occasionally when the man seemed tired Kamehameha took a turn at the load. At dusk as they neared their destination, and it came time for evening prayer, Kamehameha left the man saying, ‘When you get to the heiau spend the night with people of the place, but do not tell them that Kamehameha helped carry the load on his back.’ Because of this feat of strength and another later, when he took up two hogs each more than a fathom long and carried them without help, this Kuihelani, as his name was, became a great favorite with the chief and held an important office under him. He was allowed to have ten wives, an honor allowed to no other chief besides, and there was no home happier than his, no governor of a district to be compared with Kuihelani. [Kamakau 1961:182-183]
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