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Source:"Kuʻuleialohapoinaʻole" album by Alice Namakelua - Written September 14, 1973, this is a recollection of the composer's childhood and heritage. Waipiʻo Valley, near her birthplace, was the royal residence and seat of government for the early rulers from the 13th century until the death of Līloa, the end of the 15th century. Pākaʻakalana, the sacred temple, had the strictest kapu and was destroyed in 1791. Around the end of the year 1460, Līloa went to Koholālele near Hāmākua to assist in the re-dedication of the heiau, Manini. He traveled with a large retinue including his kahuna nui, his hoʻokele (navigator), his kilo (astrologer), and a band of musicians and hula dancers. After the celebration, Līloa ordered his retinue to return to Waipiʻo in the canoes, without him, and elected to travel home overland with one attendant. Passing a stream in Kealakaha, he saw a beautiful maiden bathing, was overcome with desire and asked her to lie with him. Akahiakuleana, who lived with her aged father, recognized her king and consented. Realizing she might conceive, she asked Līloa to give the baby a name. If the child was a girl, she could name the baby, but if it was a boy, she must give him the name “Umi”. To prove he was the child’s father, the king left his malo, his niho palaoa, and his lāʻau pālau and made her promise to pass these keepsakes to the boy when he grew up. A male child was born and Akahiakuleana married her cousin Maʻakao, who was honored to become the husband of one of the most beautiful women in Hawaiʻi, and the protector of her child. When Umi reached the age of 20, Akahiakuleana presented Līloa’s gifts to Umi and told him to go to Waipiʻo and claim his heritage. She dressed Umi in his father’s malo, hung the pendant around his neck and placed the war club in his hand. Then she brought forth a cape and helmut she had fashioned with her own hands, from the feathers of the oʻo bird and adorned her son as the aliʻi he was. Following her instructions, Umi left with his childhood friends, Piʻimaiwaʻa and Omaukamau, to find his father. They reached Waipiʻo at nightfall where they remained until morning and then crossed the Wailoa stream where Umi bade his companions farewell and proceeded to the royal hale alone. When he reached the home of Līloa, he entered the enclosure under the watchful eyes of the sentinals, but was not blocked. He violated royal etiquette by leaping over the wall and entering the forbidden door unannounced, where the royal guards gave chase, intent on killing the intruder. Umi ran to Līloa and unexpectedly seated himself in the lap of the king. The king recognized his malo, his niho palaoa, and his lāʻau pālau and asked the youth his name. The answer, “Umi, I am your son” reunited the king and son.Verse 4, Haʻiwahine and Hainakolo were the heroines of two legends from Waipiʻo valley, preserved in ancient chants. | |