The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai Part 24

At this, Snipe and his companion decided to tell the secrets prohibited to the two by their master. Now how they carried out their intrigue, you will see in Chapter XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.

After the dismissal of Snipe and his fellow, the chief dispatched Frigate-bird, one of his nimble messengers, with the same errand as before.

Frigate-bird went to Poliahu; when they met, Frigate-bird gave the chief's command, according to the words spoken in Chapter XVII of this story. Having given his message, the messenger returned and reported aright; then his lord was pleased.

Aiwohikupua waited until the end of the third month; the chief took his underchiefs and his favorites and the women of his household and other companions suitable to go with their renowned lord in all his royal splendor on an expedition for the marriage of chiefs.

On the twenty-fourth day of the month Aiwohikupua left Kauai, sailed with 40 double canoes, twice 40 single canoes, and 20 provision boats.

Some nights before that set for the marriage, the eleventh night of the month, the night of Huna, they came to Kawaihae; then he sent his messenger, Frigate-bird, to get Poliahu to come thither to meet Aiwohikupua on the day set for the marriage.

When the messenger returned from Poliahu, he told Poliahu's reply: "Your wife commands that the marriage take place at Waiulaula. When you look out early in the morning of the seventeenth, the day of Kulu, and the snow clothes the summit of Maunakea, Maunaloa, and Hualalai,[56]

clear to Waiulaula, then they have reached the place where you are to wed; then set out, so she says."

Then Aiwohikupua got ready to present himself with the splendor of a chief.

Aiwohikupua clothed the chiefs and chiefesses and his two favorites in feather capes and the women of his household in braided mats of Kauai.

Aiwohikupua clothed himself in his snow mantle that Poliahu had given him, put on the helmet of _ie_ vine wrought with feathers of the red _iiwi_ bird. He clothed his oarsmen and steersmen in red and white _tapa_ as attendants of a chief; so were all his bodyguard arrayed.

On the high seat of the double canoe in which the chief sailed was set up a canopied couch covered with feather capes, and right above the couch the taboo signs of a chief, and below the sacred symbols sat Aiwohikupua.

Following the chief and surrounding his canoe came ten double canoes filled with expert dancers. So was Aiwohikupua arrayed to meet Poliahu.

On the seventeenth day, the day of Kulu, in the early morning, a little later than sunrise, Aiwohikupua and his party saw the snow begin to hide the summits of the mountain clear to the place of meeting.

Already had Poliahu, Lilinoe, Waiaie, and Kahoupokane arrived for the chief's marriage.

Then Aiwohikupua set out to join the woman of the mountain. He went in the state described above.

As Aiwohikupua was sailing from Kawaihae, Lilinoe rejoiced to see the unrivaled splendor of the chief.

When they came to Waiulaula they were s.h.i.+vering with cold, so Aiwohikupua sent his messenger to tell Poliahu, "They can not come for the cold."

Then Poliahu laid off her mantle of snow and the mountain dwellers put on their sun mantles, and the snow retreated to its usual place.

When Aiwohikupua and his party reached Poliahu's party the princess was more than delighted with the music from the dancers accompanying the chief's canoe and she praised his splendid appearance; it was beautiful.

When they met both showed the robes given them before in token of their vow.

Then the chiefs were united and became one flesh, and they returned and lived in Kauai, in the uplands of Honopuwai.

Now Aiwohikupua's messengers, Snipe and Turnstone, went to tell Hinaikamalama of the union of Aiwohikupua with Poliahu.

When Hinaikamalama heard about it, then she asked her parents to let her go on a visit to Kauai, and the request pleased her parents.

The parents hastened the preparation of canoes for Hinaikamalama's voyage to Kauai, and selected a suitable cortege for the princess's journey, as is customary on the journey of a chief.

When all was ready Hinaikamalama went on board the double canoe and sailed and came to Kauai.

When she arrived Aiwohikupua was with Poliahu and others at Mana, where all the chiefs were gathered for the sport between Hauailiki and Makaweli.

That night was a festival night, the game of _kilu_ and the dance _kaeke_ being the sports of the night.[57]

During the rejoicings in the middle of the night came Hinaikamalama and sat in the midst of the festive gathering, and all marveled at this strange girl.

When she came into their midst Aiwohikupua did not see her, for his attention was taken by the dance.

As Hinaikamalama sat there, behold! Hauailiki conceived a pa.s.sion for her.

Then Hauailiki went and said to the master of ceremonies, "Go and tell Aiwohikupua to stop the dance and play at spin-the-gourd; when the game begins, then you go up and draw the stranger for my partner to-night."

At the request of the one for whom the sports were given the dance was ended.

Then Hauailiki played at spin-the-gourd with Poliahu until the gourd had been spun ten times. Then the master of ceremonies arose and made the circuit of the a.s.sembly, returned and touched Hauailiki with his _maile_ wand and sang a song, and Hauailiki arose.

Then the master of ceremonies took the wand back and touched Hinaikamalama's head and she arose.

As she stood there she requested the master of the sports to let her speak, and he nodded.

Hinaikamalama asked for whom the sports were given, and they told her for Hauailiki and Makaweli.

And Hinaikamalama turned right around and said to Hauailiki, "O chief of this festal gathering (since I have heard this is all in your honor), your sport master has matched us two, O chief, to bring us together for a little; now I put off the match which the master of ceremonies has chosen. But let me explain my object in coming so far as Kauai. That fellow there, Aiwohikupua, is my reason for coming to this land, because I heard that he was married to Poliahu; therefore I came here to see how he had lied to me. For that man there came to Hana on Maui while we were surf riding. The two of them were the last to surf, and when they were through, they came home to play _konane_ with me. He wanted to play _konane_. We set up the board again; I asked what he would bet; he pointed to his double canoe. I said I did not like his bet; then I told the bet I liked, our persons; if he beat me at _konane_, then I would become his and do everything that he told me to do, and the same if he lost to me, then he was to do for me as I to him; and we made this bargain. And in the game in a little while my piece blocked the game, and he was beaten. I said to him, 'You have lost; you ought to stay with me as we have wagered.' Said that fellow, 'I will wait to carry out the bet until I return, from a touring trip. Then I will fulfill the bet, O princess.' And because of his fine speeches we agreed upon this, and for this reason, I have lived apart under a taboo until now. And when I heard that he had a wife, I came to Kauai and entered the festal gathering. O chief, that is how it was."

Then the men at the gathering all around the _kilu_ shelter were roused and blamed Aiwohikupua. Then at Hinaikamalama's story, Poliahu was filled with hot anger; and she went back to White Mountain and is there to this day.

Soon after Hinaikamalama's speech the games began again; the game was between Aiwohikupua and Makaweli.

Then the master of ceremonies stood up and touched Hauailiki and Hinaikamalama with the wand, and Hauailiki arose and Hinaikamalama also.

This time Hinaikamalama said to Hauailiki, "O chief, we have been matched by the sport master as is usual in this game. But I must delay my consent; when Aiwohikupua has consented to carry out our vow, after that, at the chief's next festival night, this night's match shall be fulfilled." Then Hauailiki was very well pleased.

And because of Hinaikamalama's words, Aiwohikupua took Hinaikamalama to carry out their vow.

That very night as they rested comfortably in the fulfillment of their bargain, Hinaikamalama grew numb with cold, for Poliahu had spread her cold snow mantle over her enemy.

Then Hinaikamalama raised a short chant--

Cold, ah! cold, A very strange cold, My heart is afraid.

Perhaps sin dwells within the house, My heart begins to fear, Perhaps the house dweller has sinned.

O my comrade, it is cold.