356 



Fornattder Collection of Hawaiian Folk-lore. 



After being about a year in office as premier, Kapaibiahilina proceeded to Kauai 

 witb the intention of returning to resume the premiership. Whilst he was absent on 

 Kauai the king's suite renewed their conspiracy to implicate him in some trouble in his 

 capacity as prime minister and as a favorite of Lonoikamakahiki. The chiefs immediately 

 around the sovereign brought all manner of accusations of the most contemptuous de- 

 scription against Kapaihiahilina and the idea entered the king's mind that he should be 

 dismissed from his ministerial position as well as losing his place as a favorite. 



Lonoikamakahiki then made a solemn pledge that he would not again see the 

 face of Kapaihiahilina. Through the subtle machinations of the royal suite the high 

 esteem of Lonoikamakahiki for Kapaihiahilina ceased. 



It was only a short while that Kapaihiahilina remained on Kauai when he heard 

 that he was no longer the premier and favorite. To verify what he had heard relative 

 to his dismissal he sailed for Hawaii. Whilst on the voyage to Hawaii on his canoes 

 he commenced the composition of a song wherein was recited his travels with Lonoika- 

 makahiki in the mountain glens, their escapes from dangers of many descriptions. 

 On the way, he first landed at Kohala, as he desired to see the land which had been 

 given him. Upon arriving there he found that a new konohiki had been installed on 

 the land and the one placed there by him had been dismissed. It was then that he 

 realized his downfall. He set sail for Kona to fully acquaint himself with the com- 

 mands of the king. 



At that time Lonoikamakahiki was living at Kahaluu and was then conducting 

 temple services. When he came in sight immediately outside of Kahaluu, he was 

 recognized at once by his canoes. In consequence thereof, Lonoikamakahiki immedi- 

 ately gave orders that the doors of the house be closed. The doors were not, however, 

 closed at once. At the time the canoes reached the shore and Kapaihiahilina com- 

 menced wending his way to the king, when nearing the fencing of the house the doors 

 shut. Kapaihiahilina observing the door closing on him stood outside the fence where 

 the sentinels stood. Raising his voice on high he described in chant their wanderings: 



Lonoikamakahiki, the sacred one of the high 

 chief, 



The sacred chief given birth by Keawe. 



The chief was born a king of large possessions. 



Lono is like soft mats without number, 



[Stretching] from ancient lines 



Come the sacred feather capes of Kumalana. 

 It is wrong ! 



It is wrong for him to maintain his anger, 



For the fault is as nothing for the chief to con- 

 tinue being angrj'. 



My father ! The great chief. 



We have tramped the ground, 



We have walked the ground 



At Opikananuu, at Opikanalani, 



At the plains of Kanuukewe, 

 The base of the isle, the foundation; 

 The foundation of the land where Wakea lived, 

 Wakea the sacred chief. 

 By Keawe was given birth; 

 The right was first given birth, 

 Then followed that which was wrong. 

 The going began with numbers and was con- 

 tinued till few were left; 

 Until lonely and deserted, 

 But two continued tramping in the forest, 

 To where grew the koa tree without roots," 

 Above Kahihikolo, 

 Loin-cloth of ferns was made, 

 Ti-leaf was broken and worn at the back; 



'A mythical tree credited to Kauai. 



