|
2.Background
<br /> over again. Kane—the word means "male" and "husband"was the embodiment of male
<br /> procreative energy in fresh water, flowing on or under the earth in springs, in streams and rivers,
<br /> and falling as rain(and also as sunshine),which gives life to plants.
<br /> Wai was not only valued for its life-giving properties,but also its purifying properties. The continuous mauka to
<br /> makai flow of waiwhether underground or on the surface provided fresh drinking water, supplied water to
<br /> irrigated fields, fishponds, recharged ground water supplies, and sustained productive estuaries and fisheries by
<br /> transporting nutrients from the uplands to the sea (Sproat 2009). Wai was also utilized in purification ceremonies
<br /> where it was mixed with alaea,pa akai(salt),and plants such as `plena(turmeric)to make an elixir known as The ekai
<br /> which was used to cleanse people and spaces in preparation for ceremony and ritual(Pukui and Elbert 1986).
<br /> Chiefly Accounts in Kapala`alaea and The Greater North Kona
<br /> Historical records describing the presence of Hawaiian nobility in Kapala`alaea 2nd are limited to at least one account
<br /> written by Kekahuna and Kelsey(1954b:4)who reported that Keawemua Heiau,located on the makai side of the road
<br /> "on a slight elevation" was the residence of the high chief Pak'and his wife Konia,both of whom lived during the
<br /> first half of the 19th century, as well as Konia's sister,Pauahinui. When Kekahuna undertook his survey in 1954,the
<br /> intact portions of the heiau were observed at the coast of Kapala`alaea 2nd near the Kahalu`u boundary, however, he
<br /> notes that"the heiau enclosure formerly extended about 50 feet above the road of today"and"commanded a beautiful
<br /> view" (Kekahuna 1954:1). In addition to Keawemua Heiau, Kekahuna also reported that in immediately south in
<br /> Kahalu`u stood Lahae Heiau,a heiau ho`oulu i'a(a heiau to replenish the sea with fish),and a ku'lila where fisherfolks
<br /> placed their offerings. Aside from this account,the vast majority of accounts describing the presence of all`i in this
<br /> area is centered at Kahalu`u, which is one of several recognized royal centers in Kona. The following paragraphs
<br /> layout a brief history of Kona's ruling chiefs with emphasis on the lands of Kahalu`u.
<br /> The Regin of`Ehunuikaimalino,`Umialiloa,Keawenuia`umi,and Lonoikamakahiki
<br /> Sometime during the 16th century, chief `Ehuinuikaimalino (also referred to as Thu) was appointed by his father
<br /> Knaiwa to rule over Kona,while a junior son,Hukulani ruled over Kohala.During`Ehu's reign,four of the six districts
<br /> on Hawaii Island were ruled by an independent chief:Kulukulu`a in Hilo,Hua`a in Puna, 'Imaikalani in Ka`n,and it
<br /> is believed that Liloa ruled over Hamakua(Cordy 2000). In addition to Thu,Kaaiwa had three sons from a previous
<br /> wife,Kahoukapu,Hukulani,and Manauea,all of whom became the heads of Hawai`i's aristocratic families(Fornander
<br /> 1880).Although the Thu line of chiefs grew to be somewhat powerful, Thu was ranked second to Liloa(Kelly 1983).
<br /> According to Kamakau, Thu placed his son, Laeanuikaumanamana in Liloa'a royal court, and for some time they
<br /> both resided in Waipi`o where Laea-nui assisted with the construction of the sacred stone slab known as Ka paepae
<br /> kapu o Liloa.
<br /> Upon the death of Liloa, his kingdom was passed to his eldest son Hakau who was later usurped by his half-
<br /> brother,`Umi-a-hloa.However,the chiefs of Hilo,Puna,Ka`n,and Kona withheld their allegiance to`Umi.According
<br /> to Kamakau(1992),by the time `Umi sought to gain control over Kona, Thu was of old age,and therefore Kona and
<br /> Kohala were easily seized by 'Umi. With regard to the death of`Ehunuikaimalino, Malo (1951) noted that he was
<br /> assassinated by some fishermen out in Keahuoln,Kona.
<br /> During`Umi's unification of Hawai`i Island sometime during the 17th century,he moved his royal court to Kailua,
<br /> Kona.Archaeological evidence(Cordy et al. 1991;Newman 1971; Schilt 1984)states that during this time,the Kona
<br /> landscape was transformed into a vast agricultural field system,known today as the Kona Field System(see preceding
<br /> section). 'Umi eventually took Mokuahualeiakea,the daughter of chief`Ehunuikaimalino,as his wife. She bore 'Umi
<br /> a daughter named `Akahi`ilikapu. `Umi's reign is often celebrated as it marked a time of peace and increased
<br /> productivity and a move towards craft specialization. According to Kamakau(1992:19-20):
<br /> There was no kingdom like his.He took care of the old men,the old women,the fatherless,and the
<br /> common people.Murder and thievery were prohibited.He was a religious chief,just in his rule...
<br /> During`Umi-a-Liloa's reign,selected workers and set them in various positions in the kingdom.He
<br /> separated those of the chiefly class (papa ali`i),of the priestly class,of the readers of omens (papa
<br /> kilo), those skilled in the affairs of the land (po'e akamai o ka `aina), farmers, fishermen, canoe
<br /> builders, warriors, and other skilled artisan(po'e pale `ike) in the work they were best suited for;
<br /> and each one applied himself to his own task. . .
<br /> `Umi-a-Liloa did two things with his own hands,farming and fishing.He built large wet taro patches
<br /> in Waipi`o, and farming was done on all the lands. Much of this was done in Kona. He was noted
<br /> for his skill in fishing and was called Pu`ipu`i a ka lawai`a(a stalwart fisherman). Aku fishing was
<br /> his favorite occupation, and it often took him to the beaches (Ke-kaha) from Kalahuipua'a to
<br /> CIA for the Ld'Ipala Makai Planned Unit Development,Kapala`alaea 2,North Kona,Hawaii 17
<br />
|