EMERSON] UNWRITTEN LITERATURE OF HAWAII 255 



Hawaiian pule often contains neither petition, nor entreaty, nor aspi- 

 ration, as we measure such things. 



The oli from its very name {oli-oU, joyful) conveys the notion of 

 gladness, and therefore of song. It does not often run to such length 

 as the more formal varieties of the mele; it is more likely to be pitched 

 to the key of lyric and unconventional delight, and, as it seems to 

 the writer, more often than other forms attains a gratifying unity by 

 reason of closer adherence to some central thought or mood; albeit, 

 when not so labeled, one might well be at a loss whether in any given 

 case he should term the composition mele or oli. 



It may not be entirely without significance that the first and second 

 examples here given come from Kauai, the island which most vividly 

 has retained a memory of the southern lands that were the homes of 

 the people until they came as emigrants to Hawaii. 



The story on which this song is founded relates that the comely 

 Pamaho'a was so fond of her husband during his life that at his death 

 she was unwilling to part with his bones. Having cleaned and 

 wrapped them in a bundle, she carried them with her wherever she 

 M^ent. In the indiscretion begotten of her ill-balanced state of mind 

 she committed the mortal offense of entering the royal residence 

 while thus encumbered, where was Kaahumanu, favorite wife of 

 Kamehameha I. The king detailed two constables (ilamuku) to 

 remove the woman and put her to death. When they had reached a 

 safe distance, moved with pity, the men said: " Our orders were to 

 slay; but what hinders you to escape?" The woman took the hint 

 and fled hot- foot. 



OH 



Ka wai opua-uiakani o Wailua," 

 I liulihia e ke kai : 

 Awahia ka lau liau, 

 Ai pala-ka-hil, ka ai o Maka'u-kiu. 

 5 He kill ka pua kukni, 



He elele hooholo na ke Koolau ; ^ 

 Ke kipaku mai la i ka wa'a — " 

 " E liolo oe ! " 



.Holo iiewa ka lau maia me ka pua hau, 

 10 I pili aloha me ka mokila ula i ka wai ; 

 Maalo pulelo i ka wai o Malu-aka. 

 He aka kaua makani kaili-lioa ; 

 Kaili iuo ka lau Malua-kele, 

 Lalau, liopu hewa i ka hoa kau^ka ; ^ 



" The sceno is laid in the region about the Wailiw, a river on Kauai. This stream, 

 tossed with waves driven up from the sea, represents figuratively the disturbance of the 

 woman's mind at the coming of the officers. 



"Koolau. The name of a wind: stands for the messengers of the Ising. whose instruc- 

 tions were to expel (kipaku, verse 7» and then to slay. 



"^ Wa'a. Literally canoe : stands for the woman herself. 



^Hoa kandka. Human companion: is an allusion to the bundle of her husband's hones 

 which she carries with her, but which are torn away and lost in the flood. 



