Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 9, 1 September 2001 — Unuhi i ka ʻōlelo Pelekāne [ARTICLE]

Unuhi i ka ʻōlelo Pelekāne

( Translation to English)

Like the blustering winā, passengers were swept from Hilo to Kohala, on a field trip organized by Ka 'Aha Hula O Hālauaola and led by the Lim family of Kohala. They shared stories and history of their homeland, the northern district of Hawai'i island. After passing through Hilo and Hāmākua, the 50 or so passengers — mostly those unfamiliar with the area — rested at Waimea. Then we began our ascent lo the Kohala Mountain Road. Stories were shared by Leialoha Amina and her sister, Nani Lim Yap, both kumu hula of Nā Lei o Kaholokū, and their mother, Mary Ann Lim, a gracious hostess with a sweet voice. Along that roadway, to famous hills, "Pili" and "Kalāhikiola," recalled in the ehanl "Kūhaupi'o o ka Lā" were pointed out. High above those hills is Mahiki, a forest area memorialized in "Hole Waimea." Before noon, we arrived at Mo'okini, the lemple built by Pā'ao, the priest from Kahiki who introduced a new form of religion and chiefly lines. Mo'okini is under the care of Momi Mo'okini Lum, guardian of that sacred

plaee by way of genealogical inheritance. By her direction, the function of the heiau was changed from a luakini to a plaee where the children of Hawai'i eouhl leam. After we left our ho'okupu, Aunty Mary Ann explained that eaeh stone making up the heiau was hand-carried from Pololū, many miles away. That was an awesome task that showed the strength and respect of the ancients for their gods and chiefs. From the border of Mo'okini, we could see Kokoiki, where Kamehameha I was born to Keku'iapoiwa. Because of a prophecy of Kamehameha 's birth and eventual conquering of the islands, King Alapa 'i wanted ihe child slain. So the baby was quickly taken away from the moment he was separated from his mother, and his life was preserved in secrecy at far-off 'Āwini to the south of Pololū. Some of the names in Kohala are very interesting and refer to the time of Kamehameha's birth including Kapa'au (doused cloth) and Honomaka'u (harbor offear). At Kapa'au, we saw the statue of Kamehameha, freshly painted reflecting his natural color and those of his feathered garments. Nani Lim-Yap performed an oli hdnor-

ing his name. She explained that in the direction that the statue's right arm gestures is ' 'Ainakea where King Alapa 'i held court. Five years after Kamehameha's birth, Alapa'i was approached. and a mele was chanted, "Aia 'o 'Āwini Pali Ali'i Hula'ana" whieh advised the king of Kamehameha 's survival and wellbeing. When Alapa 'i heard this, his heart softened with aloha for his nephew, and he sent for Kamehameha to be by his side, acknowledging their close family ties. We left Kapa'au, passed through Hālawa, Hala'ula, Niuli'i, Waiapuka and reached Pololū. At that pleasant plaee, we heard many stories shared by Clvde Halema'uma'u "Kindy" Sproat whose 'ohana has lived in that area for many generations. He spoke of 'Āwini, and nearby valleys he traversed on foot in younger days. He then sang all the verses to "Maika'i ka Makani o Kohala" extolling the ageless beauty of that district. Mahalo to the people of Kohala for your hospitality. Just as Amina earlier explained, aloha is the most important thing we have in this world: "Your love is a great thing, it is a gift of the heart." ■