History of Kualii. 



CHAPTER I. 

 KuALii's Character and Doings. 



IN THE legends and traditions the names of a large number of chiefs are spoken 

 of that do not appear in the genealogical records from Opuukahonua to Liloa, and 

 even from then on to Kamehameha. The name of Kualii is omitted in the gene- 

 alogical records of the chiefs, biit his history and doings have often been spoken of." It 

 is told that Kualii was once king of these islands, and in one of his characters' he was 

 known to have possessed certain knowledge from a god, and at times even assumed the 

 real attributes of a supernatural being. 



Kualii was a celebrated chief and noted for his strength and bravery ; he was 

 known to have won all the battles fought by him, defeating his enemies every time. 

 He was also known for his great desire for war. It is said of Kualii that he began 

 fighting battles in his childhood and so continued until he reached manhood. The fol- 

 lowing story exhibits some of the extraordinary traits in the character of this man. 



When he was well advanced in life and unable to walk, he ordered his servants 

 to make him a network of strings (koko).^ And in accordance with the wish of Kualii 

 his servants proceeded to carry it out. In the engagement of Kualii here on Oahu, 

 against the chiefs from Koolauloa, sometime after the reign of Kakuhihewa over Oahu, 

 or possibly at a time prior to the reign of Kakuhihewa (the exact time not being very 

 clearly ascertained), which engagement was to be upon the plains of Keahumoa at 

 Honouliuli, Ewa, he was carried by his men in a network of strings. No actual fight- 

 ing occurred, however, as the two armies upon coming together entered into a declara- 

 tion of peace.^ The number of men under Kualii in this contest was three mano,' which 

 is equal to twelve thousand, and the number of men comprising the other army was 

 three lau, which is equal to twelve hundred ; and the reason why the battle was not 

 fought is told in the following story. 



Kapaahulani the elder and his younger brother Kamakaaulani were men who 

 were in search of a new master" or lord, so they composed a mele, or chant, and after it 

 was completed placed it to Kualii as his name. Shortly after the two men had com- 



' By comparative tradition Kualii's time dates back to the middle of the seventeenth century. 



'Likened to Keaweikekahialiiokamoku, one of Hawaii's kings. 



^A sort of manelc or palanquin. 



"Through chanting the Song of Kualii ; a successful bluff. 



'A mano is four thousand; a lau is four hundred in the Hawaiian method of counting. Forty thousand is kiiii, 

 used at times for an indefinite number. 



*■/;«/ haku, seeking a new master for the betterment of one's condition. A laudable ambition in some cases; in 

 others, for a life of ease or self-preservation, as in the case of the priests, Nunu and Kolohe, in espousing Umi's cause 

 against Hakau. (3^4) 



