Fornander collection of Hawaiian antiquities and folk-lore, Volume 1 (of 3) : $b The Hawaiians' account of the formation of their islands and origin of their race, with the traditions of their migrations, etc., as gathered from original sources
History
Fornander collection of Hawaiian antiquities and folk-lore, Volume 1 (of 3) : $b The Hawaiians' account of the formation of their islands and origin of their race, with the traditions of their migrations, etc., as gathered from original sources
Folklore -- Hawaii; Hawaii -- Social life and customs; Hawaiian language -- Texts; Legends -- Hawaii
Olopana is said to have so treated the people of Tahiti that he and his
wife were thought much of, and when he set out for Hawaii a large
number of people accompanied him. Upon the arrival of Olopana and his
companions, the people of Hawaii saw that their hands and arms were
tatued. The people became so infatuated with the idea that they too had
their arms and hands tatued. It is said that this was the first time
that tatuing was introduced into these islands.
As soon as Olopana and his people arrived from Tahiti, he caused some
of his men to reside on Maui, some on Molokai, and some on Oahu and
Kauai. It is said that is the reason why the people of these islands
speak differently from those of Hawaii.
On their return Olopana and his wife again took up their residence in
Waipio, except at times when Luukia was isolated to other places where
she was kept and well treated. These times of isolation came only at
Luukia’s monthly periods, when she was removed to Puukawaiwai, a place
located between Kawaihae and Waimea. Here a house was built for her
surrounded by a wall. This particular spot has always been known as the
wall of Luukia and is so called to this day.
HOW LUUKIA LIVED AT PUUKAWAIWAI.
It was customary for Luukia to retire to this house of separation at
the approach of her periods of infirmity. During one of her trips to
this house of separation, while on her way from Waipio, Luukia met a
man by the name of Waiauwia, a person of some note who was living at
Waimea. This man became so enamoured of her that he followed her to her
house of separation and there made advances on her, to which Luukia
replied: “We cannot do such a thing, as I am defiled.” Upon receiving
this reply from Luukia, Waiauwia was puzzled to know the meaning of
such a thing; he insisted that she grant his request. At this
determination on his part, Luukia told Waiauwia: “Don’t come in unto
me, for I have my period of infirmity. This is the reason why I am
separated from Olopana the king.”
This was the first time that Waiauwia ever heard of such a thing, that
men were prohibited from living with women during their monthly
periods. Waiauwia was therefore forced to return to Waimea, and there
informed his wife that it was against the wish of the gods to have men
live with their wives during their periods of infirmity. Some time
after this first meeting between Waiauwia and Luukia at Puukawaiwai,
Waiauwia again visited Luukia at her house of separation, after one of
her periods of infirmity, and this time his desire was at last
satisfied and Luukia fell in wrong-doing with Waiauwia.
It is said that Olopana brought the tabu system to these islands.
Shortly after this the tabu system was inaugurated throughout the whole
group.
ANOTHER STORY ABOUT OLOPANA.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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