284 foniaiidcr Collection of Haivaiian Folk-lore. 



incompetent and unwortliy to rule the Oahu king'doni. That meeting and the manner 

 of the execution of its decree find few parallels in the most civilized of modern countries, 

 where the people had to resort to revolution to protect the best interests of their country 

 and their own well-being. It was a public declaration of the national non possiDiuts 

 any longer to suffer the rule of Kumahana. Its execution, through the wonderful 

 unanimity of the national voice, required neither "National Guards," nor spears, nor 

 clubs, nor barricades to enforce it. It was a veritable vox popitli. vox Dei, and the only 

 trait of wisdom recorded of Kumahana was that he quietly submitted to the inevitable 

 and left for Kauai, where the relations of his mother and sister provided a refuge for 

 him and his family at \A'aimea. And to the lasting credit of those, whose kindred only 

 six years later were stigmatized by civilized Europe as "barbarians," "savages," "can- 

 nibals," not a drop of blood was shed in this mighty upheaval of an entire people. 



Had I the powers of a Walter Scott to give the reader a description of that 

 remarkable assembly of Oahu notables that then and there convened for high national 

 objects, I gladly would do so. I would describe the ])reliminary meeting of the District 

 Chiefs, the (Ai-moku), with the High Priest (Kahima-nui), presiding. I would tell of 

 the dispatch of the High Priest's messenger or herald, clclc, around the island, convok- 

 ing the chiefs and commoners to the projected assembly, a kind of Hawaiian "Fiery 

 Cross," speeding from feudal hall to lowliest hamlet; his functions, his privileges, his 

 insignia of office, his formula of convocation. I would describe the meeting of those thus 

 convened; the appearance of the chiefs dressed in their ahu-nla (feather cloaks), their 

 iiialiiolc (feather helmets), their iiilio palaoa (necklace of whale's tooth and human 

 hair), their kit pec or piipii lioiika (bracelets of glittering precious shells) ; carrying their 

 pololn (long si)ears), in their right hand, their pahoa (dagger of hardened wood), in 

 their malo, or belt, and their nezva or war-club looped up under their cloak. I would 

 describe the sturdv iiiakaaiiiana, the commoners or freemen of the land, mustering behind 

 their chiefs, armed with their ilic. javelins, and iiiaa, slings. But abler hands, at some 

 not far distant day, will doubtless weave a pleasant tale from those materials; and I 

 proceed with the main story, from my work, "An Account of the Polynesian Race," Vol. 

 II, on pages as shown: 



Kahahana, son of Elani, of the Ewa line of chiefs, was elected Mai of Oahu in 

 ])lace of Kumahana, son of Peleioholani and grandson of Kualii, who had been deposed 

 by the Oahu chiefs as an incompetent, indolent, penurious and unlovable chief. This 

 occurred about the year 1773 (pp. 65. 290, 154). 



It is not improbable that the influence of Kahekili. King of Maui, was in Kaha- 

 hana's favor, for in the war between Hawaii and Maui wherein the invading forces of 

 Kalaniopuu were all but annihilated in the battle of Waikajm commons, Kahahana and 

 his Oahu troops were joined with Kahekili in the defence of Maui (p. 154). 



In a subsequent atteni])! of Kalaniopuu to wrest honors from Kahekili, Kahahana 

 is found an allv in the defence of Lahaina, accompanied by Keaulunioku, bard and 

 l)rophet who, a few years later, composed his famous "llaui Ka Kani" ciiaiil lore- 

 telling the success and glory of Kamehameha 1 (p. 156). 



Kaeo, King of Kauai, sent two messengers to acquaint Kahahana of Cook's visit. 



