Canto XV (part 2 of 2)
[1948] The poet closes with his harp still tuned on Hilo’s unfavorable features.
[1949] King of Kauai, who ceded his island to Kamehameha.
[1950] This is figurative, for Kaumualii as coming from foreign lands, possibly from ancient ancestry.
[1951] The convolvulus vine of the sea-beach.
[1952] Bark of the hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) served as cordage for heavy work.
[1953] The cord to tie the bundles of awa root could not have been of large size, nor need be of durable quality, and was therefore loosely drawn.
[1954] This apparently is some personage, not identified. The name implies Arise, or Stand-kona-dwelling-in-evil.
[1955] The sea of Kona’s coast is proverbially calm, the alternating light sea-breeze of the day which sets in about 9 a.m., gives place after sunset to the light mountain airs of the night.
[1956] Limaloa, the god of Mana, formerly a man.
[1957] Kauahoa was reputed to be a man of giant size, the largest on Kauai, one of Aikanaka’s warriors killed in conflict by Kawelo. See Memoirs Vol. V, pp. 56–58.
[1958] Name of a famous war club of Kauai tradition, requiring 120 men to carry it.
[1959] A celebrated warrior of Kauai tradition. See Memoirs Vol. V, p. 2.
[1960] A stretch of Kauai lands.
[1961] Name of Kawelo’s elder brother.
[1962] The treatment of bark, as also of hala leaves, by heat, was to render it soft and pliable.
[1963] Because of the salt air and sea spray the shore-grown hau is said to have tougher qualities than that of upland growth.
[1964] Kawelo’s birthplace was Hanamaulu, Kauai.
[1965] A personification of bright and forked lightning accompanied with sound.
[1966] A mountain of Kauai.
[1967] Moe was likely the herald whose promulgations for the gathering of bird-feathers tax heated the mountain paths in his travels, i.e., he was loud and insistent in his calls. There were set seasons for this regal requirement.
[1968] The uncooked food of mountain travelers or laborers was bananas and sugar-cane.
[1969] Wahiawa, an extensive land on Kauai adjoining Koloa, to the west.
[1970] Hanapepe, a well-watered valley of Kauai, hence an extensive taro section of old time.
[1971] Kolea (Golden plover), messenger of the Koolau district, and Ulili (Wandering tattler), watcher for the Puna district, were the same two messengers of Kapeepeekauila of the Kana-Niheu tradition. See Memoirs Vol. IV, p. 444.
[1972] Moho, the now rare Oo of the Hawaiian Islands, much prized for its tufts of rich yellow feathers for royal cloaks, helmets, wreaths, etc.
[1973] Kuna, an eel which lives in fresh water.
[1974] Kupahipahoa, implying efficiency, may be taken as a complimentary epithet to the subject of this eulogy.
[1975] This celebrity was credited with seven foreheads which he used as weapons, for attack or defense, till overcome by Kaulu and slain, at Olomana, Koolau. See Memoirs Vol. IV, pp. 530–532.
[1976] Name shortened from Lonokaeho.
[1977] Anointed with the milk of coconut, by way of consecration.
[1978] Recognition by the black pig, as shown in Memoirs Vol. IV, on page 188, in the recognition of Umi, by the chief-searching pig of the priest Kaoleioku.
Lines 6 to 11 inclusive, are almost identical with lines of chant in honor of Piikea, Vol. IV of Memoirs, page 238, while those following, up to line 20, have their duplicate on page 240.
[1979] Sacrificial offerings, the unblemished black pig and sacred root of awa of Lono.
[1980] Ko (keiki, child implied) ma ke kua, yours at (or on) the back, refers to the method of carrying a foster or adopted child in contra distinction of one’s own child, which would be ma ke alo, in front, usually referred to as hiialo.
[1981] Kaikilani, wife of Lono and paramour of Kanaloakuaana.
[1982] An epithet of Kanaloakuaana. When this celebrity was vanquished by Kamalalawalu at the battle of Kaunooa his eyes were gouged out, the sockets pierced by darts, after which he was killed. See Memoirs Vol. IV, p. 342.
[1983] Tatued marks on the forehead, or temples, indicated grief for a beloved ahi. Memoirs Vol. IV, p. 132.
[1984] Kikakapu and kapuhili are names of two kinds of fish held to be sacred, more especially the former, hence its substitution.
[1985] Kana, a very tall man, a fighter, a man of self elongating power.
[1986] Moi, a famous priest of Molokai, living at Koolau.
[1987] Kapeepee—given also as Kapepee—a warrior chief to whom Moi was chief priest.
[1988] Hoakalanileo, father of Kana and Niheu.
[1989] Slept in spirit, i.e., dreamed a dream.
[1990] Niheu, a brother of Kana; his war club was fathoms long, flat at the point.
[1991] Kuehu, to rustle or shake his mantle; not turning it.
[1992] I ka lani; Kana was so high that he was supposed to be in heaven.
[1993] Oia, like kena; command or direct.
[1994] Huli aku la; turned his robe the other side out (in a dream all this time).
[1995] Weliweli, to be possessed with fear: Moi dreaded the man of his vision.
[1996] Hilia mai; to throw or push down as a post standing upright, so Niheu pushed off Moi on the plain called Koolau, and left the mountain.
[1997] Alaila ala; then, or at which, he awoke, his dream was done.
[1998] Addresses the chief in a chant (paha).
[1999] Walana, like wanana; prophecy or prophetic warning.
[2000] Olelo huna, words of hidden meaning, sometimes called olelo nana, allegorical; what chief would be deaf thereto.
[2001] Koeleele, to be, or be thrown confused; put in disorder.
[2002] Haka ipu, the frame where calabashes were suspended as offerings to the gods.
[2003] Elaa, to assent to what one has denied or despised before; kuu pokii, an endearing term, i.e., to Kapeepee.
[2004] Na pahu, the drums of the temple, sacred.
[2005] Naunu, the heiau (temple) was called unu, here it applies to anything outside of the heiau.
[2006] Kaina, like kaikai, to lift up.
[2007] Ka moi, the chief idol in the row of images before the altar.
[2008] Palila, a famous fleet-footed banana eater.
[2009] I na maka hee; the commander of Kapeepee fled because he was looked at with such eyes.
[2010] Ua hakau, like hakaka, to fight; the fowls fought in the night made light by Kana’s eyes.
[2011] Kaialana, a large moving body, they conquered (lanakila) because they were pa (assisted) on one side.
[2012] Waiakua, the fact of being so great a multitude, they heated the earth.
[2013] Ka ulu niu, etc., the coconut grove moved seaward on account of the eyes of Kana, and the taro beds fled inland.
[2014] Kupeke, thrown together in confusion.
[2015] Nihoa was a land on Molokai to which the soldiers returned.
[2016] Kapeepee called them to lift Haupu and it became the highest point on Molokai.
[2017] Mai hookoa, etc., cease fighting above.
[2018] Kini o luna, the multitude above were killed.
[2019] Hilia, hili to twist; hilia to strike, to knock down all (oneanea).
[2020] Kulia, to rise up, as one lying down they all rose up; moe lia, to lie down, the lia is poetic, euphonic; they were all knocked down; all rose up and all lay down.
[2021] Ka pau o ka oneaonea, a poetic phrase; they were all killed, none left.
[2022] Ina i kau, etc., this line is unintelligible.
[2023] Ka umauma, the bosom (i.e., of Kana) was at or on Kalawao.
[2024] Kana kicked with his foot the sand land of Kane (one lauena a Kane). The ancients thought that in the foreign country of Kane the very sand on the beach was food.
[2025] Pau aku la, the end of the dream.
[2026] Au, time of one’s life, synonymous with kingdom. In the reigning time of Nua the kingdom became his.
[2027] Ka manawa, the seat of fear; hopo, to decline fighting through fear; the heart once only felt cowardly.
[2028] Some versions of this story name Namakaokahai as the one who drove Pele hither to Hawaii, an account of which will be found in the legend of Aukelenuiaiku. (See Memoirs Vol. IV, p. 102.)
[2029] The expression elieli at the close of certain prayers has occasioned much thought and inquiry by students. Taking it as intensive of the root word eli, to dig, we get the impression of frequent, earnest, or vigorous effort, mental or physical. It takes a range of definitions according to the character of the petition, which all agree includes the amama or amen. One veteran said it was used only in sincere prayers to which amama only belonged. Another held that it expressed fervency in the petitioner. That it evinces a feeling of awe, as used here, is recognized in the accompanying kau mai, o’rshadow, or possess me. It also means entirely, profoundly.
[2030] Hanakahi, a name applied to Hilo, as also Waiolama, its sand beach, make this the location of Pele’s arrival, whereas tradition and geography point to Kauai as the place of her first landing.
[2031] Pele’s activities at Kilauea began as a cresting surf from Kahiki (abroad), which turned in front of Papalauahi.
[2032] Literally, leaf strata [of] fire; a flow of molten lava.
[2033] Puaakanu women stringing lehua blossoms, a simile freely applied to the Puna district.
[2034] Kuu moku lehua, my lehua forested land, above Olaa.
[2035] Kukuena wahine, the fiery sweep of women, to which Pele’s activities are likened.
[2036] Lauwili, literally, leaf-twisting; the companions, na hoalii, entered the entangling thicket, the nahale.
[2037] Of Puna.
[2038] The scene changes to the sea-coast, represented as controlled and directed by Pele even to the shore of Maui, sea of the chiefess.
[2039] Wahine alii, the lehua-stringing party.
[2040] Party of Pele; kai, for huakai, a large traveling company.
[2041] Luahine, Pele is often referred to as an old woman.
[2042] Papaenaena, a place in the vicinity of Kilauea; wai, anything in a liquid state; hau, soft porous stone.
[2043] This refers to Niheu’s cutting Kana’s legs, swollen with fatness, while he himself suffered hunger.
[2044] A proverbial saying, from the tradition that Molokai is the offspring of Hina.
[2045] Molokai hill, Hapuu, represented as a small god.
[2046] Pele came forth a great god, with Haumea (her mother) and Hiiaka a sister, as also two others.
[2047] Ka oaka o ka lani, literally, the flash-light of heaven.
[2048] Nanai for Lanai. Kaulahea an early king of that island; also a noted prophet.
[2049] Polihua, noted for sea-turtle, a favorite of Pele.
[2050] Kauai becomes Pele’s scene of action. Li’u doubtless refers to the mirage of Mana.
[2051] The fragrance of the mokihana (Pelea anisata), for which Kauai is famous, arose.
[2052] Ulu, influence or protection; there was no guardian or keeper to render such aid.
[2053] Pele stamped in her wrath, producing the long waves, while her eye-balls flashed heavenly light.
[2054] Pele’s canoe here lands from the east on Molokini, a small islet between Maui and Kahoolawe.
[2055] At Kumalae Pele released the idols. Tradition has it that image worship in the islands originated with her advent, though Pele was never represented by one.
[2056] Koi, not recognized by this name, whose progeny should be so honored.
[2057] Kanaenae, sacrificial offering. Pele and her people sacrificed there (at Kumalae).
[2058] Leleiwi point, near Hilo.
[2059] Mokaulele, a land in Hilo, whose lehua blossoms attracted Pele’s wreathing proclivities.
[2060] Kunana hale for kulana hale, kau understood, a village.
[2061] Papalauahi (see note 5), the halau or shed structure of Kilauea, likely the lava strata of the pit.
[2062] Kahiliopua, a cloud formation termed a deity.
[2063] Olohe, a robber skilled in the lua, bone-breaking wrestling.
[2064] Mauna mai ana, practising.
[2065] Lele hihee, leaping sideways.
[2066] Aua’ahea, likely the name of a special pig prepared for sacrifice; possibly a clerical error for pua’ahea, the term for the last hog on the eighth day of the dedication of a temple; the pua’ahea was to be eaten up entirely. (Andrews Dict.)
[2067] The elements are represented as indicating the deities interest in the offering.
[2068] Hokahoka, demeaned, chagrined from disappointment.
[2069] Ne’ene’e, edging about, to draw near slowly, to crawl on hands and knees.
[2070] A oi for aole; no, having not.
[2071] These three named deities, companions, hoalii of Pele.
[2072] Tree eaters, through overflowing the forests with lava.
[2073] Papawalu, connected with pule mana. Wonderful, effective prayer, is thus shown of eight-fold power. Like makawalu (eight-eyed), signifying all-seeing, wise, efficient. Eight seems to be the Hawaiian perfect number.
[2074] Cliff of Mauli, for Mauli-ola, the site of the present volcano house, said to be the mystical abode of a supernatural deity of same name of that region.
[2075] The meaning of this line is not that men are owl hunters, but that like owls, wide-eyed, they search out the water-holes, collection places of the tears (dew) of the locality.
[2076] Hahau, to strike at the god, whereupon Pele reveals her destroying power, as in lines following.
[2077] Auwe, exclamation of alarm at the flow of smooth lava.
[2078] Hele e ka waa, a proverbial expression indicating its canoe-like speed.
[2079] Kaa ka mauna, the mountain rocks or rolls away, yet Pele’s favorite sister Hiiaka is safe.
[2080] Heaven and earth are held to manifest interest in events affecting royalty.
[2081] Pele is bid to eat her land, its ohias and pandanus groves to the shore of Leleiwi.
[2082] Me puu o Pele, from hill, cone, or mountain source, Pele’s lava streams flow freely over and bury the land.
[2083] Ikuwa, while the October month, is taken as typical of a season of disturbance, bewailed here as a period of disaster.
[2084] Eka mua, first intimations, in this case, of a storm brewing.
[2085] Honua lewa, swinging or floating earth, shows the Hawaiians’ belief in a revolving world.
[2086] Aha, a company or assembly; also a prayer service of some kapu.
[2087] The poet switches off to house building, warming and dedication.
[2088] Makaikai mai, comes leisurely sight-seeing, spying the land.
[2089] Kini, the number 40,000, commonly used for a great multitude.
[2090] Kiko, dotted, spotted, speckled, applied here to the planting of a taro patch.
[2091] Alia is a cross sign of kapu, it may be of sticks, leaves, or flags. It takes its name and use from two sticks carried crosswise before the god of the year at the makahiki festivities.
[2092] Terms of taro planting in small, scattered, though uniform, hills.
[2093] Ha ki ana, the wrapping in ki leaves. Food so bundled (opeope) was then stacked in rows.
[2094] Kulipee, a personification, to run and hide; a resident of the pit.
[2095] Naele o Hawaii, a locality or condition, not clearly understood.
[2096] Hina, the Helen of Hawaiian folk-lore, as a goddess and as a human, she figures more frequently in popular tradition than any other heroine of the race. She is here pleaded with to return from her fickle, wandering course.
[2097] Among the definitions of ukiuki, that of provoking, teasing offense, rather than anger, seems applicable here.
[2098] We’awe’a, given here as procurer, probably had a different meaning in earlier days, though this may be warranted. It has a sense of running around on impure business.
[2099] Unrestrained, unawed, whereon the husband’s shoulders rest.
[2100] Nonomea, a mythical land supposed to be ever bathed in the red glow of twilight.
[2101] Hinakua or Hina makua (parent), referred to later as elder Hina.
[2102] Heralded or proclaimed as she (Hina) ran: kani holo, the method of issuing royal edicts in olden times.
[2103] Manini, surgeon-fish (Teuthis sandwichensis).
[2104] Make offerings to the aumakua, ancestral god, for personal aid.
[2105] Koa panoa is the bared coral bank or reef at low tide.
[2106] Aalaihi (Thalassoma duperrey).
[2107] Palani, Sturgeon-fish (Hepatus dussumieri).
[2108] This line has reference to the handling of the net in fishing. Kai’na, here is to lift or ease over the net (ka’ika’i ana mai), rather than pull. As one party handles the net from the shore, another party in the water prepares to drive the fish into it.
[2109] Unuhia mai, round up, gather, or drive into the net.
[2110] Kala, (Monoceros unicornis), a fish sacred to Hina.
[2111] Makamaka is a friendly companion, and in a certain sense means strong affection, as also good, fresh.
[2112] Malailena, revengeful, bitter, sarcastic.
[2113] Man-eater in the sense of exacting penalties for the infraction of her kapus.
[2114] The poet here calls upon Hina to give birth to fish, hanaua mai like hanau mai.
[2115] Lift or place it above, ka’ika’ina iluna.
[2116] The numbering of these several Hinas may indicate successive generations.
[2117] The introduction here of the mud-hen, alae, identifies the subject of this mele, Hina, as the mother of the demi-god Maui, who by a cunning trick obtained from this bird the sacred fire stolen from the gods, as witness the red frontal knob caused by Maui’s burning away of its feathers by the sacred fire, hence its name alae ula (Gallinula galeata sandwicensis).
[2118] Send, kiina for kii ana; pull it up and bring it here, lawea for lawe ia.
[2119] The real meaning here of i’a inu, fish-drink, is a relish with awa drinking, to overcome its bitter taste; generally fish was preferred, in some cases chicken was the palliative agreed upon. In this case if fish suited Lono it would be agreeable to Hina.
[2120] Weke, Goat-fish (Upinius, sp.).
[2121] Kapo, a sister of Kalaipahoa, was the fabled goddess who entered certain trees and rendered them poisonous. Her sister Pua, or Kupua, was also credited with like functions.
[2122] Note. Corresponding in every prayer to the Christian Amen, so be it. Literally “It is offered, the tabu is off”, or, “the ceremony is over”
[2123] This chant is another of those Lahainaluna students’ compositions, which reveals the biblical training by the mission teachers in its reproduced New Testament narrative. The original paper is without date, or signature, but from accompanying compositions, dated 1837, it very likely belongs to that period. In character it resembles Kekupuohi’s Creation chant of a few years earlier, and may have been influenced thereby, the original of which, and its translation, by Rev. L. Andrews, will be found in the Hawaiian Spectator of 1839, Vol. II, pp. 78–80, and termed by him a remarkable production.
[2124] Mahua of the original, like mahuahua, to grow or increase.
[2125] Waiopua is the name of a wind at Wailua, Kauai; literally cloud-water.
[2126] When the wind drives the sea into the mouth of a fresh water stream, the salt water is at the bottom and the fresh water is at the top until it becomes sale, awahia; the wind also affects the leaves of taro plants and the hau, hibiscus.
[2127] Faded, dead are the leaves of the taro, the food at Makaukiu, a place of Wailua.
[2128] As spies, kiu, the kukui blossoms indicate the coming wind, they are swift messengers of the koolau or northerly wind.
[2129] Kuehu, to brush away, kindred to puehu, sweep them away to the mountain side of Kapehu.
[2130] The people cry for safety from the wind, kualo, and warn canoeists to seek places of shelter.
[2131] Floating down, holo newa, to glide slowly.
[2132] Mokihi, like mo kila, a lizard that lives under water, said to be large, hence the proper name Luakiha where they live.
[2133] Maalo, to pass on, pulelo, fluttering, or flying in the wind.
[2134] Maluaka, a place at Wailua.
[2135] Fierce, pitiless wind, kaili ino, that sweeps off his companion and strips the forest leaves of Maluakele, a high place.
[2136] Lala lawe, swept off from, separated his body and companion, hoa kanaka, whereby he is lost.
[2137] Weeping and reflections remained behind.
[2138] Ke apo, etc., they grasp the sand in vain in their despair.
[2139] Weeping only was at Moomooiki, name of a place.
[2140] It is for supposition to give the history, hoomoolelo, i.e., of the persons separate from each other.
[2141] No one is able to blame them, aole ae, etc., none opens his mouth in condemnation.
[2142] E hewa pono ai, a fault for which I shall be justified by thee, O love.
[2143] I am the one that is greatly influenced by love, luaiele, the action of a mother when meeting her infant whom she has not seen for a long time.
[2144] Kuewa, etc., homeless, friendless, going crooked in the path from weeping.
[2145] Or, there is no time wherein reward has been made, hence his guilt.
[2146] A teacher of the Seminary, recently deceased. By the students of the Lahainaluna Seminary, Feb. 13, 1854.
[2147] Kekahi kumu o ke Kulanui i make aku nei. Na na haumana o ke Kulanui, Lahainaluna, Feb. 13, 1854.
[2148] From certain of her students when they heard that they were to leave the Seminary of Lahainaluna because the building was decaying, therefore this song of mourning was sung for her.
[2149] No kekahi mau haumana kula o na kuaaina no ka lohe ana mai e waiho ia ana ke Kulanui o Lahainaluna i keia manawa e hiki mai ana, no ka hiolo ana o ka hale; nolaila kanikau ihola makou i ke aloha nona.
[2150] Elule, young potato leaves.
[2151] Makaha, a wicket gate or door at the mouth of fish-ponds where the water can enter but where the fish cannot escape.
[2152] Paulihiwa, pauli, poetic for pouli; hiwa, exceedingly black as a threatening cloud.
[2153] Haao, name of a kind of rain at Koolau accompanied by black darkness.
[2154] Loko papohaku, Nuuanu is likened to a lake fenced with a stone wall.
[2155] Kioao, name of the rain at Nuuanu; poetically speaking, Nuuanu in the great rain is swimming with water.
[2156] Anae, a kind of fish at the Leleanae place in upper Nuuanu.
[2157] Waipuhia, name of the waterfall on the right as seen in going up Nuuanu, lit., the water blown (by the wind).
[2158] Aholehole, name of a flat round fish at Lanihuli, a place near the cascade.
[2159] Waahila, name of the rain on the tops of the mountains.
[2160] A-i-e-a, chorus.
[2161] Hilahila, shame covers fishermen without masters.
[2162] Ua ohi ’a, etc., the fish worms are all gathered; inaluahine; inalua, name of the basket fishermen have wherein to throw various things.
[2163] He kau, the portion of a mele or poetical part of a kaao to be sung, interlarding its recitation.
[2164] Hiiaka, the youngest sister of Pele, renowned for her supernatural powers, particularly for strength.
[2165] Apopoi, to turn over as the ridge of the surf when breaking; haki, its breaking; kaikoo, high surf or sea.
[2166] Ka lua, the pit Kilauea.
[2167] Haki kakala, it breaks in rough drops.
[2168] Paia, a confused noise; kuli, deafening, stunning noise; uwo, to bellow, roar.
[2169] Kaniahiku, name of a place at the volcano.
[2170] Kaumu, the oven, an epithet of Kilauea.
[2171] Kupukupu, the action of the bubbling, boiling lava.
[2172] Pohakau, poetical for pohaku.
[2173] Uwalu, waluwalu; to grab, seize hold of anything available as in climbing a precipice, so the fire seizes any combustible material.
[2174] Kaunu, playing, sporting, of a man and woman; here the play of the wind with the fire.
[2175] Puulena, name of the wind that blows from Kilauea towards Hilo.
[2176] Huki ka moku, i.e., Pele draws up the land as in a mountain, to papala, flatten down.
[2177] Kaikoo ka mauna, throws the mountains into surf.
[2178] Ha for haki, breaks up.
[2179] Popoi, overflow; Kilauea breaks up and overflows.
[2180] Name of a place near the volcano.
[2181] O, to stab, pierce; na kino, bodies.
[2182] Hakikili, the rain of hail; hail stones are termed hua hekili.
[2183] Ikuwa, name of a month; poha, poetical for pohaku, elision of the ku because the next vowels begin with ko; koeleele, loud noise or sound.
[2184] Opua, clouds that appear low, haahaa, and stand up as pillars.
[2185] Pua ehu, to blossom a sandy color; trees scathed with fire.
[2186] Pa-u, girt about with the liquid fire of the pit.
[2187] A song of Kaiko, a petty chief, caused by grief.
[2188] Auamo, to bear, carry.
[2189] Haka laau, etc., a ladder; here a rude aqueduct of sticks of timber put up so as to carry water.
[2190] Wiliwili, the kind of timber used for the water trough of Poloiea, a place in Waialua.
[2191] Place-names in Waialua; from Kawaihapai (lit. the fruitful water) to Kaena, the northwestern point of Oahu.
[2192] He ena, a perturbation of mind from having injured one, hence, a dislike or fear of the person. He ena ’loha ko’u, i.e., Haaheo, his wife, love estranged or set upon by another; e noho mai la, that is here exhibited or that exists within you.
[2193] Ua ’hi loko, i.e., Haaheo on fire internally; fire rages within.
[2194] Ua lapalapa, it flames with desire to sleep (cohabit).
[2195] Uina, to wring off, twist, break; the bones are wrung off through desire.
[2196] Puukauila, puu, a bunch; to resemble one to the kauila (one of Hawaii’s most valued trees) was to speak in praise of him.
[2197] Haaheo, the wife of Kaiko.
[2198] He heo no e, chorus from the last syllable of Haaheo.