Ka Moolelo o Laieikawai

Olelo Hoakaka

Preface

No Laieikawai.—He umikumamawalu makahiki me ekolu malama ka malamaia'na o keia Moolelo Kaao, e ka mea nana e hoopuka nei keia moolelo maloko o kana Buke Moolelo, e hoomaka ana ma ka malama o Augate, M. H. 1844.

Regarding Laieikawai.—This Legend was kept for eighteen years and three months by the one who is now publishing this story in his Book of Legends, beginning in the month of August, A. D. 1844.

O ka mea nae nona ka Buke Moolelo, no Kailiokalaauokekoa no ia.

However, the owner of the Book of Legends belonged to Kailiokalaauokekoa.

Aka, aole o keia mau moolelo wale no na mea iloko o ua Buke Moolelo nei, o ka moolelo o Painahala kekahi, ua malamaia ia moolelo ma ka malama o Okatoba, M. H. 1847.

But these legends are not the only things within said Book of Legends; the story of Painahala is another, which was recorded in the month of October, A. D. 1847.

Ua like ka loihi o keia moolelo me ka mea nona ka moolelo ma ke poo o keia hoakaka ana; no ka mea, 375 aoao ka nui o ko Laieikawai, a he 363 aoao ko Painahala.

This story is of similar length to the one mentioned at the head of this preface; for Laieikawai consists of 375 pages, and Painahala has 363 pages.

Ua aneane like nae ke kamailio ana o ko Painahala me ko Keamalu, ma na kupunawahine nae ka like ole.

The narrative of Painahala is nearly identical to that of Keamalu, though they differ in their grandmothers.

O ka moolelo o Kualii, ko Moikeha, a me ko Lonoikamakahiki mau moolelo kekahi i huipuia iloko o ua Buke Moolelo nei.

The legends of Kualii, Moikeha, and Lonoikamakahiki are also combined within this Book of Legends.

A no ka hooiliia ana, mai, o ka pomaikai nui i ka mea kakau moolelo; nolaila, ua haawi pau ia'ku keia mau moolelo no ka Nupepa Kuokoa.

And because of the inheritance thereof, a great blessing to the writer; therefore, all these stories have been given over to the Nupepa Kuokoa.

E na mea a pau, e nana mai i ka Nupepa Kuokoa ma keia hope aku, ka mea nana e hoolenlea ia oukou e like me ka makemake o kekahi poe. S. N. HALEOLE.

To everyone, look to the Nupepa Kuokoa hereafter, which shall provide you with amusement according to the desires of some. S. N. HALEOLE.

MOKUNA I. KE KAMAILIO ANA I KEIA KAAO

CHAPTER I. THE TELLING OF THIS LEGEND

Ua oleloia ma Laie, Koolau kona wahi i hanau ai, a he mau mahoe laua.

It is said that Laie, Koolau was the place where she was born, and they were twins.

O Kahauokapaka ka makuakane, o Malaekahana ka makuahine.

Kahauokapaka was the father, and Malaekahana was the mother.

O Kahauokapaka nae, oia ke Alii nona na okana elua, ma Koolauloa a me Koolaupoko, a ia ia ka mana nui maluna o kela mau okana.

Kahauokapaka was the Chief who possessed two districts, Koolauloa and Koolaupoko, and he held great power over those districts.

I ka manawa i lawe ai o Kahauokapaka ia Malaekahana i wahine mare nana, mahope iho o ko laua hoao ana, hai mua o Kahauokapaka i kana olelo paa imua o kana wahine.

At the time when Kahauokapaka took Malaekahana as his wife, after their marriage, Kahauokapaka first declared his solemn vow to his wife.

O laua wale no ma ke kaawale, oiai iloko o ko laua mau minute oluolu, a eia ua olelo paa ia.

They were alone in private, during their pleasant moments together, and this was the vow.

"E kuu wahine, he nani ia ua mare ae nei kaua, a nolaila, ke hai nei au i kuu olelo paa ia oe.

"O my wife, since it is a beautiful thing that we are now married, I therefore declare my vow to you.

I noho aku auanei kaua a i loa ka kaua keiki a he keikikane, alaila pomaikai kaua, ola na iwi iloko o ko kaua mau la elemakule a haule aku i ka make.

If we live together and have a child and it is a son, then we shall be blessed; our bones shall live through our days of old age until we fall in death.

Nalo no hoi na wahi huna, na ia keiki e nai na moku e pau ai, ke loaa hoi ia kaua ke keiki mua a he keikikane.

Our secret places shall be hidden, and that child shall conquer the islands, if our first child is a son.

Aka hoi, ina he kaikamahine ke hanau mua mai, alaila e make, a ina he mau kaikamahine wale no ka kaua ke hanau mai e make no.

But if a daughter is born first, then she shall die; and if only daughters are born to us, they shall die.

Aia no ke ola a hanau mai a he keikikane, ola na hanau muli i na he mau kaikamahine."

Life shall only be found when a son is born; then the younger siblings shall live, even if they are daughters."

I ka ewalu paha o na makahiki o ko laua noho ana he kane a he wahine, hapai ae la o Malaekahana, a hanau mai la he kaikamahine, ua maikai na helehelena i ka nana aku.

In perhaps the eighth year of their life together as husband and wife, Malaekahana became pregnant, and a daughter was born, beautiful to look upon.

A no ka maikai o na helehelena o ua kaikamahine nei, manao iho la ka makuahine o ke kumu la hoi ia e lilo ai ka olelo paa a Kahauokapaka i mea ole, ola la hoi ua kaikamahine nei—aole ka!

Because of the beauty of this daughter's features, the mother thought this would be the reason Kahauokapaka's vow would be nullified, and the daughter would live—but no!

Ia manawa i hanau ai, aia nae o Kahauokapaka i ka lawaia me na kanaka.

At the time she gave birth, Kahauokapaka was away fishing with the men.

A hoi mai o Kahauokapaka mai ka lawaia mai, haiia aku la ua hanau o Malaekahana he kaikamahine.

When Kahauokapaka returned from fishing, it was reported that Malaekahana had given birth to a daughter.

A hiki ke alii i ka hale, ua wahiia ke kaikamahine i ke kapa keiki, kena koke ae la o Kahauokapaka i ka Ilamuku e pepehi.

When the chief reached the house, the daughter was wrapped in infant cloth, and Kahauokapaka immediately ordered the Executioner to kill her.

Ma ia hope iho hapai hou o Malaekahana, a hanau hou mai la he kaikamahine, o keia nae ke kaikamahine oi aku o ka maikai mamua o kela kaikamahine mua.

After that, Malaekahana became pregnant again, and another daughter was born—even more beautiful than the first.

Manao iho la e ola la hoi—aole ka!

She thought she might live—but no!

Ike ae la o Kahauokapaka i ke kaikamahine e hiiia mai ana, ua hoahuia i ke kapa keiki, ia manawa, kena koke ae la ke alii i ka Ilamuku e pepehi.

Kahauokapaka saw the daughter being held, covered in infant cloth, and at that moment the chief immediately ordered the Executioner to kill her.

Mahope mai, ua hapai wale no o Malaekahana, he mau kaikamahine wale no, aole nae i ola iki kekahi oia mau hanau ana o Malaekahana.

Afterward, Malaekahana became pregnant several more times, and they were all daughters; not one of those births survived.

Ua pau wale no i ka pepehiia e like me ka olelo paa a ke alii.

They were all killed according to the vow of the chief.

A i ka hapai hou ana o Malaekahana i ke keiki, o ka lima ia, a kokoke i na la hanau, hele aku la kela imua o ke Kahuna, a olelo aku la.

When Malaekahana became pregnant again—the fifth time—and as the days of birth drew near, she went before the Priest and said:

"E! auhea oe? E nana mai oe i keia opu o'u e hapai nei, no ka mea, ua pauaho ae nei hoi i ka pau o na keiki i ka make i ka pakela pepehi a ke kane.

"O! Where are you? Look upon this womb of mine, for I am weary of all the children dying from the excessive killing by my husband.

Aha ae nei a maua keiki, aha no i ka make.

Four of our children—all four have died.

Nolaila, e nana mai oe i keia opu o'u e hapai nei, ina i ike oe he kaikamahine, e omilomilo ae au, oiai aole i hookanaka ae ke keiki.

Therefore, look upon this womb of mine; if you see it is a girl, I will induce a miscarriage, while the child has not yet taken human form.

Aka hoi, ina i ike mai hoi oe i keia opu o'u e hapai nei a he keikikane, aole ana."

But if you see it is a boy, then I will not."

Alaila, olelo mai ke Kahuna ia Malaekahana.

Then the Priest said to Malaekahana:

"O hoi, a kokoke i ko la hanau, alaila, hele mai oe i o'u nei i nana aku au i keia hapai ana."

"Go, and when it is near your day of birth, come to me so that I may look upon this pregnancy."

A kokoke i na la hanau, i ka malama o Ikuwa, i na la kapu heiau, hoomanao ae la o Malaekahana i ke kauoha a ke Kahuna.

As the days of birth drew near, in the month of Ikuwa, during the sacred days of the temple, Malaekahana remembered the command of the Priest.

Ia ianei e nahunahu ana, hele aku la kela imua o ke Kahuna me ka olelo aku.

While she was in labor, she went before the Priest and said:

"I hele mai nei au ma ke kauoha a ke Kahuna, no ka mea, ke hoomaka mai nei ka nahunahu hanau keiki ana, nolaila, ano e nana mai oe i kuu keiki e hapai nei."

"I have come here by the command of the Priest, because the labor pains of childbirth are beginning; therefore, look now upon my child that I am carrying."

Ia Malaekahana me ke Kahuna e kamailio ana no keia mau mea, alaila, hai aku la ke Kahuna i kana olelo ia Malaekahana.

While Malaekahana and the Priest were speaking of these things, the Priest spoke his word to Malaekahana:

"E hailona aku au ia oe ma ka mea a'u e noi aku ai, e haawi mai oe."

"I will give you an omen based on what I ask you to give me."

Ia manawa, nonoi aku la ke Kahuna ia Malaekahana e haawi mai i kekahi lima imua o ke alo o ke Kahuna, e like no me ka hailona mau o keia lahui, ma ka lima no nae ana e makemake ai e haawi aku imua o ke Kahuna.

At that time, the Priest asked Malaekahana to present one hand before him, according to the usual omens of this people, whichever hand she desired to give.

Ia manawa a ke Kahuna i noi aku ai i kekahi lima, haawi mai la o Malaekahana i ka lima hema, me ka hoohuliia o ke alo o ka lima iluna.

When the Priest asked for a hand, Malaekahana gave her left hand, with the palm turned upward.

Alaila, hai aku la ke Kahuna i ka hailona i ku i kana ike.

Then the Priest spoke the omen according to his vision:

"E hanau hou ana no oe he kaikamahine, no ka mea, ua haawi mai nei oe i kou lima hema ia'u me ka huli nae o ke alo o ka lima iluna."

"You will give birth to another daughter, because you gave your left hand to me with the palm facing upward."

A no keia olelo a ke Kahuna, kaumaha loa iho la ka naau o Malaekahana, no ka mea, ua kumakena mau kela i ka pepehi mau a kana kane i na keiki mua.

Because of these words, Malaekahana's heart was very heavy, for she had constantly mourned her husband's killing of the previous children.

Nolaila, noi aku la o Malaekahana i ke Kahuna e noonoo mai i mea e pono ai ka wahine, a e ola ai hoi ke keiki.

Therefore, she asked the Priest to think of a way to help her, so that the child might live.

Alaila, hai aku la ke Kahuna i kana mau olelo ia Malaekahana.

Then the Priest spoke his words to Malaekahana:

"E hoi oe a ka hale, ina e hiki i ka wa e aneane hanau ai, alaila ea, e ono ae oe i ka ohua, me ka olelo aku ia Kahauokapaka, nana ponoi no e lawaia.

"Return to the house, and when the time comes that you are nearly giving birth, crave the ohua fish, and tell Kahauokapaka that he himself must go fishing.

O ka ia ponoi no e loa ana ma kona lima oia kaa ia e ono ai; no ka mea, he kanaka puni kaalauohua hoi ko kane, i lilo ai kela i ka lawaia, ike ole ia i kou hanau ana.

The very fish caught by his own hand shall be the fish for your craving; because your husband is a man who loves catching ohua, so he will be occupied with fishing and not see your giving birth.

A ina e hanau ae, alaila, na'u e malama ke keiki, i hoi mai ia ua lilo ia'u ke keiki.

And if a child is born, I will care for the child, so that when he returns the child will have been taken by me.

A ina e ninau mai, hai aku oe he heiki alualu, alaila pau wale."

And if he inquires, tell him it was an underdeveloped fetus—and that will be the end of it."