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"After the passage of seven anahulu periods during which time Kamehameha <br /> arranged his battle divisions, he asked Kekuhaupi'o to accompany him to Hilo <br /> Paliku...Chief Kamehameha's great canoe was prepared and he took his warriors <br /> with him, a very wise act,because during this journey they were attacked by some <br /> Maui people. <br /> This was a great canoe which Kamehameha had prepared, and it carried almost two <br /> hundred men on one double canoe. There were also some swift sailing canoes, each <br /> canoe being able to carry fifty men with ease. <br /> Kamehameha and his warriors left Kohala, followed by Kekuhaupi'o and some <br /> warrior chiefs of Kohala. They sailed easily to land at Hakalau where Kamehameha <br /> and Kekuhaupi'o and their people were entertained by Chiefess Keakealani of Hilo; <br /> Princess Likoa; and Kahipa,the daughter of Chief K anekoa of Hamakua. She was <br /> living at Hakalau with her female hoahanau in those days. This visit by High Chief <br /> Kamehameha was a cause for joyous entertainment by these high chiefesses of Hilo <br /> and Hamakua... <br /> When Kamehameha arrived with his people at Hakalau, Kahahawai was staying in <br /> the upland forest of Hakalau, making a canoe for his lord, Kahekili of Maui. With <br /> him at that time was Kaihe,the "black [tattoo] of Kahekili," one of Kahekili's very <br /> great favorites, who was a famous warrior against Kahekili's men." <br /> Desha depicts in great detail the great battle which ensued here between <br /> Kamehameha's army and the warriors of Kahekili, revealing that it was the seminal <br /> event which led to the young chief being called to test his strength, and lineage, on <br /> the Naha stone. "On hearing of Kamehameha's victory in this battle with the Maui <br /> people, Chief Keawemauhili sighed, and said: "This is perhaps the bravery which <br /> shall achieve the conquest of these islands." <br /> This victorious fight led other chiefs to announce to Keawemauhili, "Indeed,your <br /> words at the time of this young chief s birth were really correct,that this was the <br /> appropriate time to pinch the tip of the mulberry. Now at this time, the branch is <br /> hardened, and the tip of the mulberry cannot be pinched off. Alas for us in the <br /> future. Perhaps the bitter fruits of the actions of this young chief will come, for here <br /> in the dust of morning [youth] that one's extraordinary deeds are already apparent." <br /> Like Kamehameha's later battle at Nu'uanu Pali,which helped seal his victory on the <br /> island of O'ahu, his battle at Hakalau-nui was a pivotal moment in his ascension and <br /> led to his greatest achievement, the establishing of peace,through the unification of <br /> the islands of Hawai'i. <br /> Here is the historic story of Hakalau-nui which I believe truly makes this space <br /> extremely worthy of protection. Mahalo nui loa for your sincere consideration. <br /> Aloha, Kehaulani Lum <br />