Ka Niu Moe o Kalapana

Kii: Ku'ialuaopuna

In the old times, it was a tradition in Kalapana to pull down a young coconut tree to grow in a reclining position to honor a chief who went there on a chiefly visit. The last two such trees were bent down to honor our chiefess, Ululani, and Queen Emma. On one of Queen Emma’s visits to Puna, she was asked to participate in a commemoration. While mounted on a horse, she held a single coconut leaf growing from a tree, while the people pulled and strained until the tree was bent down before her. The niu or coconut tree was then secured down so that it would grow in a reclining position. This bending of the niu signified the people's respect for their beloved alii, as in olden days it was tradition that all people bent down and prostrate before a high -ranking alii who came before them.

This story was told by Mary Kawena Puku'i

Long ago, two young chiefs of Puna named Hinawale and Owalauahi (-wahie), who were cousins and intimates, stole away incognito to tour the island. Returning after several months, they joined a group of men who were testing their strength by attempting to bend to earth two full-grown coconut trees. Unrecognized, they waited until all had failed, then they, too, attempted. Hinawale grasped one tree, Owalauahi the other, and with a strong downward pull laid them low. The people shouted in applause. Upon discovering that the men were their own chiefs, their joy knew no bounds.

The mother of Mrs. Pukui, who tells the tale, is descended from one of these two chiefs. Visitors to the coconut grove today are shown Na- Na-nii-moe-o-Kalapana (The recumbent coconut trees of Kalapana) still flourishing as of old, although it is said that the two original trees have been replaced. The story is told of Queen Emma that when she found the trees dead and asked her men to bend two more to take their place, none could do so until the queen herself held a leaf of each, when they were easily bent.

Mokuhulu

By Harry Keliihoomalu

Mokuhulu i ka malu o ka niu

Ia home uluwehi

Pua ka lehua

Kaimū i ke ‘ala līpoa

I ka hone a ke kai

I ka pu‘e one.

Kalapana, ka niu moe o Queen Emma

Ia wahi kaulana

No ka malihini.

Kapa‘ahu ia Punalu‘u

I ka wai hu‘ihu‘i

Hu‘i koni i ka ‘ili.

Ha‘ina ‘ia mai ka puana

No Puna ke ‘ala

I lawe ‘ia mai nei.

Mokuhulu in the shade of the coconut trees.

This verdant home

Of lehua blossoms.

Kaimū in the fragrance of līpoa

In the sweet song of the sea

On the hilled-up sand.

Kalapana, the niu bent low for Queen Emma

This place well-known

To visitors.

At Kapa'ahu is found Punalu'u

This tingling-cold water

So thrilling to the touch.

Sing the summary

From Puna comes the fragrance

That has taken me back