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
While the four were at home that morning and as the sun began to get
warm, about seven o’clock, Umi and his followers came down the eastern
side of the Waipio Valley. When the first of the procession reached the
bottom of the valley and were near the river, the last of the people
were still out of sight on the top of the cliff.
When Hakau saw the shadows of the people on the side of the cliff, he
said to the old men: “I thought that this was a day to be kapued for
the god, yet I see the people going about.” The old men replied: “They
must be your own men from Hamakua bringing you some food.” When the
procession was almost up to the presence of Hakau, he saw that five of
the men were without any objects in their hands; these men were Umi,
Kaoleioku, Koi, Piimaiwaa and Omaokamau. Hakau then again remarked to
the old men of this discovery, saying: “I see five of the people in the
procession without any burden.” The old men replied: “They must be your
husbandmen.” As Hakau beheld Omaokamau indistinctly he said: “I wonder
where I first saw that man in the front of the procession?” The old men
replied: “He must be one of your landlords, for you are a king who has
often gone around Hamakua, so you must have seen him in your travels.”
Hakau then assented to this, saying: “Yes, that must be it.”
While Hakau was conversing with the old men, the front of the
procession came up to him, and the last of the file of people was yet
on the cliff. The procession then surrounded Hakau who was seated, and
continued coming until Hakau was surrounded by men about twelve deep.
The men, however, kept on their feet and still held their bundles of
stones in their hands. He saw that the bundles were all wrapped in
ti-leaf as if they were bundles of taro or potatoes. After a while he
was undeceived, for Umi came out of the ranks and stood in his
presence. When Hakau saw Umi he raised up his head and then bowed down
again. [160] Umi then called out to Omaokamau, who came and stood
directly behind Umi. Umi then gave him the order to go and slay Hakau.
At the words of command, Omaokamau went up to Hakau, took hold of his
lower jaw, then turned his face up and said: “You are killed by
Omaokamau, for Umi.” When the people heard this remark by Omaokamau,
they began to throw their stones on Hakau, killing him. The stones
caused a great heap above Hakau, while the sticks which had been used
as packers for the burdens carried on the shoulders, formed the
cone-shaped tomb of Hakau.
Upon the death of Hakau Umi became possessed of the whole island of
Hawaii, and the prediction of Kaoleioku which was made while they were
still in obscurity thus came true. Kaoleioku on the other hand was made
the chief priest of Umi, his chief, while the priests of Hakau all
served under Kaoleioku, Nunu, Kakohe and Umi the king.
CHAPTER V.
HOW UMI BECAME THE KING OF HAWAII.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account