Birth of Kamehameha I February 24, 1921
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2 “PINCH OFF THE TIP OF THE WAUKE SHOOT” Birth of Kamehameha I February 24, 1921 The ali‘i ‘ai kalana of the Ka‘ü district at that time was Kalani‘öpu‘u. Also at Kokoiki was High Chief Keawemauhili of Hilo. There was also the future Tcomrade-in-arms of Kamehameha. He was foremost in bravery on the side of Kamehameha and fought against his own father’s faction. He [Keaweokahikona] was the naha chief who had been dedicated upon the Naha Stone, the royal birthstone which is situated at Hilo until this very day. He was one of the high chiefs who excelled in knowledge of combat and bone breaking and perhaps became a supporter [of Kamehameha] at seeing Kekühaupi‘o’s proficiency in combat. Perhaps the better combatant of them might have been seen in the days when Keaweokahikona fought on a different side, but perhaps all that is known widely is the contest on the battlefield of Moku‘öhai in which he fought on the side of Kamehameha. It was said that on that battlefield the young naha chief of Hilo was as a niuhi shark of the deep sea. His strength and bravery was of great assistance in putting to flight the Kïwala‘ö faction which was also the faction of his own father, Chief Keawemauhili. At the Battle of Moku‘öhai, Keawemauhili was taken prisoner by Kamehameha’s faction. Forgive the writer for this digression in our story. What shall unfold hereafter shall be known when we come to the battles engaged in by the subject of this story. When Kekühaupi‘o’s father’s canoe was made ready, they left Ke‘ei and sailed to Kokoiki in the Kohala district. Most of the high chiefs of the island of Hawai‘i had already arrived at Kokoiki to wait for High Chiefess Keku‘iapoiwa to give birth. They were entertained as was the custom. 25 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o While Kekühaupi‘o stayed there, some of the chiefs heard mutterings by some of the more prominent chiefs who thought to harm the life of this unborn child of high rank. This secret thought concerning the new birth was because of a prophecy in a genealogical chant composed by a well-known composer of Maui. This chant proclaimed the future status of this unborn chief. At that same time the thought of High Chief Keawemauhili was heard when he uttered these words: “Pinch off the tip of the young mulberry shoot.”7 When Kekühaupi‘o heard of this clandestine muttering by those chiefs at the court his thoughts went in affection to the unborn child. It was said that from that first time when Kekühaupi‘o heard of this he became attached to that child. It shall be seen, perhaps because of this sudden affectionate thought, that he later became the beloved guardian of the famous conqueror and was his defender in some battles in which they took part. The reader shall see in the progress of this story the firm love for his chief, Kamehameha. It has been said, also, that Kamehameha heeded his teacher’s instructions, and we shall see the truth of this. When some chiefs first heard of the desire that the unborn chief be killed in his days of drinking at the breast, they decided upon their actions. We know from the story of the famous Conqueror of the Pacific, of his birth and of his being taken away clan- destinely by Näihe [Nae‘ole],8 a chief of North Kohala, to be reared in secret with great care. When Kamehameha reached the age to be taught proficiency in warfare, who was the one chosen by the great chiefs to be his teacher? None other than the one of whom this story is told! After the birth of Kamehameha and his disappearance from the presence of the chiefs of the land, Kekühaupi‘o went to dwell with the ali‘i ‘ai moku of Ka‘ü [Kalani‘öpu‘u] and in his presence demonstrated his proficiency in the arts of battle. Occasionally he entered into strong contests with some famous warriors, but it was 7 This saying alludes to the practice of removing young shoots that sprout along the stems of the wauke (paper mulberry) plant. The bark peeled from these stems is used to make kapa (bark cloth), and the young shoots, if left to grow, will leave holes in the cloth. In this case, the shoots represent the babies who, if not killed, could grow up to challenge the domain (i.e., bark cloth) of the high chief, Alapa‘inui. 8 Other accounts have Nae‘ole, not Näihe, taking Kamehameha at birth (Kamakau 1961:67; Fornander 1969:136). 26 Chapter 2 • “Pinch Off the Tip of the Wauke Shoot” known in those days that this man of Ke‘ei was foremost and was admired by some high chiefs of the land. The chief Alapa‘inui greatly desired to have Kekühaupi‘o at his court, but Kekühaupi‘o had chosen Kalani‘öpu‘u, who was later to become ruler over the island of Hawai‘i, as the one with whom he wished to stay. In those days when Kekühaupi‘o was living with the high chief of the Ka‘ü and Kona districts, there were constant exercises in sham battle within the circle of chiefs. It was noted that Kekühaupi‘o overcame his opponents and his fame spread as far as Maui, O‘ahu, and even to the sun-snatching island to the leeward [ka ‘äina kä‘ili lä o lalo ë—a poetic reference to Kaua‘i]. In his young days Kamehameha the Great dwelt at the court of High Chief Alapa‘i at Hilo. At that time an evil deed was done to his father who was poisoned by Alapa‘inui. Keöuanui died of poison put into his food, causing sorrow in the young chief who had been unable to ward off this harm. Let us look forward to the time in which Kalani‘öpu‘u attempted, in opposition to Alapa‘inui, to snatch away custody of the son of the high chief Keöua, his kaikaina pono‘ï [true younger brother]. G G Lonoma‘aikanaka Keaweikekahiali‘iokamoku Kalanikauleleiaiwinui G G KekaulikeikawëkiuokalaniKalaninui‘ïamamao Kamaka‘ïmoku Ke‘eaumokunui G G Keawemauhili Kalola Kalani‘öpu‘u Känekapolei Keöuakupuapäikalani Keaweokahikona Kïwala‘ö Keöuakü‘ahu‘ula Keöuape‘e‘ale Kamehameha Fig. 1 • Abridged Genealogy of Kamehameha Showing his relationship to Kïwala‘ö and Keawemauhili = male = female = union between 27 Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupi‘o Kekühaupi‘o Becomes an Instructor March 3, 1921 In those days when Kekühaupi‘o and his father were staying at Kokoiki in the presence of the high chiefs of the land, he perfected his skill in certain Ibody-strengthening contests of the land of those days. His proficiency was noted by some high chiefs, not only for his performance with weapons like the spear and staff, but also with boxing and wrestling as some persons who were experts in these matters were unable to triumph over Kekühaupi‘o in the lua strokes taught him by Koaia. Kekühaupi‘o’s great proficiency was well noted by the high chief Kalani‘öpu‘u who ruled over Ka‘ü and who later became ali‘i ‘ai moku. After the birth of Kamehameha and his disappearance from his place of birth, Kekühaupi‘o and his father returned to Kekühaupi‘o’s place of birth at Ke‘ei. However, while Kekühaupi‘o stayed at Ke‘ei he continued his preparations and increased his knowledge of fighting, so that he was extremely proficient in times to come. When the news arrived before the chiefs that the high chief Kamehameha had escaped [death] and had been reared by his kahu, Näihe [Nae‘ole], at Kohala, he was brought to the court of the ali‘i ‘ai moku Alapa‘inui at Hilo. In his young days Kamehameha dwelt with his father Ali‘i Keöuanui. For some unknown reason, the father of Kamehameha was poisoned by the ali‘i ‘ai moku Alapa‘inui. When this news reached Kalani‘öpu‘u at Ka‘ü, his mind was very disturbed and he decided to snatch Kamehameha from Alapa‘i’s court. Because of this decision by Kalani‘öpu‘u, Kekühaupi‘o was fetched from Ke‘ei and entered into that fight to snatch Kamehameha. A battle began between Kalani‘öpu‘u and Alapa‘inui, but Kalani‘öpu‘u was put to flight by Alapa‘i’s army, and there was a great slaughter of Kalani‘öpu‘u’s peo- ple. Kekühaupi‘o was amongst those who were almost taken captive by Alapa‘inui’s people. He escaped, however, only because of his fearlessness and his speed as he had been trained as a runner. If, indeed, the people on Kalani‘öpu‘u’s side had half the strength and fearlessness of the warrior from Ke‘ei, victory would have inclined to their side. While we are thinking of the genuine fearlessness of this warrior, Kekühaupi‘o was quite young, not having reached the age of thirty years. 28 Chapter 2 • “Pinch Off the Tip of the Wauke Shoot” After some years had passed, Alapa‘inui died and the government was inherited by his son, Keawe‘öpala, who became ali‘i ‘ai moku in place of his father. When the news reached Kalani‘öpu‘u of the death of his opponent who had put him to flight, he roused a war with Keawe‘öpala, well supported by some famous ali‘i war- riors. The father of Ka‘ahumanu also entered into this battle with Keawe‘öpala, and a battle was begun just a little inland of Kawaihae.