Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 6, 1 June 2012 — Hawaiʻiʻs pōhaku [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiʻiʻs pōhaku

Our Hawaiian ancestors respected the mana of all things, animate and inanimate. In fact, mo'olelo abound about the mana of objects many consider inanimate. One story is told about Pōhaku Loa, the great stone chosen to serve as a boundary marker for Punahou School. The stone stood 7 feet above ground, and 2 feet below ground. Workmen dug around the huge stone, preparing to unearth and move it the following day. When the men returned the next day, they found the stone more firmly planted into the ground than before. After some consideration, the men concluded the stone was a "pōhaku kupua" (wizard stone). A kahuna was consulted, and he reconunended a special ceremony before coaxing the stone to move. Chief Paki was enlisted to assist with the move. The powerfully built chief lifted the stone upright with the workmen supporting from the other side. Pōhaku Loa moved, almost on its own accord, to the desired spot. Years later, Pōhaku Loa was broken up, part of it stands at the main gate into the campus, and another part went to Kapi'olani Maternity Home. It is said that expectant mothers asked Pōhaku Loa to grant their children wisdom and strength. Another mo 'olelo tells of how, in old Hawai'i, guards were often stationed at strategic points along trails or footpaths that led into villages. The guards served to warn their chiefs and the village maka'āinana of approaching danger, such as floods, landslides or enemy invasion. One path that was guarded carefully was the pass at Nu'uanu Pali. Kilo Ko'ahe was stationed at the top

of the trail to warn the Kailua chiefs of approaching danger. Several versions of this mo'olelo were onee told. This version tells how Hi'iakaikapoliopele drew Kilo Ko'ahe's attention away from his duties, while also distracting Lohi'au from descending the trail to Kailua. Lohi'au was traveling on O 'ahu when he decided to visit Kailua. Hi'iaka was concerned that if Pele's attention was drawn to Lohi'au's plan, Pele would be suspicious of the purpose for Lohi 'au's visit. Hi'iaka knew that Pele would imagine that many women would be attracted to Lohi'au's handsome face and beautiful body, and cause Lohi'au to forget his betrothal to Pele. Hi'iaka anticipated and feared Pele's fiery rage could destroy the beautiful forests and gardens in Nu'uanu. Hi'iaka devised her plan to keep Lohi'au and the guardian, Kilo Ko'ahe, distracted and would dissuade Lohi'au from descending the pali trail. Hi'iaka was the favorite youngest sister of Madam Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Hi'iaka was the goddess of lehua tree forests. Both loved the man, Lohi'au. Hi'iaka loved him protectively and Pele loved him with passion that often consumed her heart with jealousy, tempting her to use her powers to react cruelly. Hi'iaka took the fonn of a mortal woman of wondrous beauty to enhee Lohi'au to stay and follow her, as she escorted him to Pele. In mortal fonn, Hi'iaka was stunningly beautiful. Kilo Ko'ahe forgot his duty as he contemplated Hi'iaka's beauty. The stalwart guard was completely bewitched by Hi'iaka and was unaware of anything else, as she danced. While he gazed at Hi'iaka with delight and wonder, an enemy chief and his warriors slipped past and attacked Kailua. In punishment, Kilo Ko'ahe was transfonned into a pōhaku kilo (stone guard) at his post. Pōhaku Kilo served as a reminder to pay attention to one's responsibilities. The stone was bulldozed down in the late 1800s during the building of the Pali Road. ■

Followus: ā/oha hawaii I Fan us:b/officeofhawaiianaffairs I Watch us: Yūufffl) i /user/OHAHawaii A OLELO k = ! — ! — \ HIST0RY /

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D.