Kapunohu Warrior Chief of Kukuipahu, Kohala

Kii: Jan Becket

Fornander collection of Hawaiian antiquities and folk-lore. Vol. 5

Abraham Fornander

Bishop Museum Press, 1998

pgs. 213-224

Kapunohu, a legendary Hawaiian warrior of Hawaii, gains the ghost spirit Kanikaa as his god and the supernatural ihe Kanikawi , enabling him to defeat powerful warriors and conquer territories across Hawaii, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi. He avenges insults, defeats chiefs and their armies, and ultimately wins a life or death spear throwing contest against the mighty Kemamo of Kauai, whose sling-stone is outmatched by Kapunohu’s extraordinary ihe, which travels from Niumalu to 

Hanalei. This moolelo is told by Abraham Fornander.

KUKUIPAHU in Kohala is the place where Kapunohu was born. Kukuipahu was also the name of his brother-in-law. Kanikaa was the name of his god and Hoomaoe was the name of his fisherman. Hoomaoe was a great fisherman. On coming home one day after he had been out fishing and had caught ten fish, he was met by the god named Kanikaa. Kanikaa asked of Hoomaoe: “You seem tired. You must have plenty of fish to eat. You must have caught a good many.” Hoomaoe answered: “Indeed I have some fish.” “How many?” asked Kanikaa. “Ten.” “Let me have some of them?” Hoomaoe gave him some; but Kanikaa kept on asking until Hoomaoe had given him all the ten fish. After Kanikaa had received the last fish, he knew that Hoomaoe was a very kindhearted man. Kanikaa then said to Hoomaoe: “I came with the intention of eating you up; but because of your great kindness to me, I will therefore save you and I“shall henceforth be your god.”

     Sometime after this Kanikaa set out for the playground, where the game of glancing the spear was being carried on, taking with him his spear called Kanikawi. While he was throwing his spear on the course, Kapunohu came along and upon seeing the spear he picked it up and ran off swiftly with it. When Kanikaa saw Kapunohu run off with his spear he gave chase with the idea of killing Kapunohu if he should catch him. In running away with the spear, Kapunohu ran toward upper Kawaihae with Kanikaa hot after him. Upon coming to an underground tunnel Kapunohu entered it with Kanikaa right along behind. Kapunohu went out at the other end and soon after Kanikaa also went out. The chase was kept up for some time till at last they agreed to make friends. Because of this fact this place is to this day called Kaholeiwai, meaning that it is the place where the winds from the southwest meet in conflict with the winds from the northeast. This, their battle ground, is known as Kaholeiwai. One wind cannot overcome the other and a distinct line lies at this place, which has always been famous for this fact; and both winds have continued the fight from that day to this, and it will always be kept up.

    When Kanikaa and Kapunohu became friends, Kapunohu kept Kanikaa’s spear, Kanikawi, and Kanikaa became the god of Kapunohu.

  After this Kapunohu returned and lived with his sister, the wife of Kukuipahu, the king of Kohala. On the morning after his return, while their morning meal was being prepared, the sister told Kapunohu: “Go and take your morning meal with your brother-in-law.” This was because the women were not allowed to eat with the men. When Kapunohu arrived at the eating house he took up the wash basin and washed his hands. While he was doing this Kukuipahu asked: “After your hands are washed what are you going to eat?” Kapunohu replied: “I was called to come.” Kukuipahu then asked of those within the house from one end to the other, if anybody had called Kapunohu to come. The people within the house all denied ever calling him. This was of course meant for an insult and Kapunohu felt it deeply. Kapunohu then went back to his sister and told her of his treatment. Shortly after this Kapunohu went off feeling bitter toward his brother-in-law.

   From this place Kapunohu went on up toward the uplands until he came to a row of wiliwili trees. These trees were of large size, resembling the kukui trees, but very light and not as hard as the wood of the kukui. Kapunohu then, with an idea of testing his strength, threw his spear at the first tree and the spear went through them all. It is said there were eight hundred of the trees which stood in a straight row. He made a clean hole in each tree, all in one thrust.

  Kii: Stig Lindholm - Wiliwili

After this display of his strength Kapunohu continued on his way up until he met two old men who were farming along the highway. The land which they were cultivating is known as Nahuluaina. Kapunohu then said to them: “Say, old men, I want you to each take a flag and run with all your might away from each other and where you stop, that shall be the boundary of your lands.” The names of the old men were Pioholowai and Kukuikiikii. They each took up a flag and ran with all their might. In their effort to cover as much ground as possible, Pioholowai did not go very far before he became exhausted and so planted his flag; because of this his land was short and the name of that land is Pioholowai to this day, after his name. Kukuikiikii, on the other hand, ran and covered much more ground before he planted his flag, consequently his land was much larger, and the name of the land is Kukuikiikii to this day, after the old man who owned it. Because of the mode of the division of these two lands all the following pieces of lands are cut off short and do not run clear up to the mountains: Hualoa I, Hualoa 2, Kealahewa I, Kealahewa 2, Kealahewa 3, Hukiaa 1, Hukiaa, Kokoiki I, Kokoiki 2, Puuepa I, Puuepa 2, Kapakai, Upola, Honoipu, Puakea I, Puakea 2, Puakea, and Kamilo. Those lands are bounded today as they were made at the time this story relates. They do not run clear to the mountains like the other lands in the district of Kohala.

  Kapunohu continued on his way until he arrived at Waioopu in Halaula, where a woman by the name of Halaula was living and with whom he lived for three days. From this place he continued on his way until he came to Puaiole, in Aaniakao where a woman by the name of Aamakao was living and he stayed here two days. From this last place he continued on his way until he arrived at Niulii, where tlie chief of that section of Kohala was living, a man by the same name, Niulii. This chief had under him all the lands included in between the heights of Awini and the Wainaia gulch; and from the Wainaia gulch to Kahua, Kukuipahu was the ruler. Kukuipahu had the larger part of Kohala, while Niulii had the smaller portion. Because of this fact the two were constantly at war with each other, therefore Kapunohu journeyed and cast his lot with Niulii, so as to have a chance to meet and kill Kukuipahu who had insulted him.

   Before Kapunohu arrived at the king’s place it grew quite dark. He went down the Opnowao gulch, which is next to Makapala and climbed the next rise, called Kohepalapala, next to Niulii and then down a little hollow called Kaha. When Kapunohu arrived at this place he saw the daughters of Niulii bathing. The first was named Neue and the younger one was called Keawehala. Kapunohu looked at the two girls and they looked at him. Kapunohu was a handsome man and his whole body was without blemish. So, the girls, too, were beautiful to look upon.

   The two girls then asked: “Where are you from?” “I came along this way.” “There is no man like you in these parts. Where are you from?” “I have come from the other end, from the ilima district.” “Yes, that is the truth. But when you say you are from these parts, that is not the truth. Where are you going to?” “I am going sightseeing along the way.” “Yes, and where are you to spend the night?” “At the place where sleep will overcome me; there I will sleep.” The girls then said: “And why not sleep here with our people?” “If you wish me to, I will.” “Yes, we wish it.” They then proceeded on to the house. When they arrived at the house they found Niulii and his wife Kawaikapu sitting by the doorway. Kawaikapu was also a very beautiful woman and very pleasant to look upon.

   At sight of the young man, Niulii inquired: “Who is the third person?” The daughters replied: “A stranger that belongs to us. We were bathing when he came along, and being late we brought him home for the night and he can resume his journey tomorrow.” Niulii then said: “You should take him as your husband, you two women,” so Kapunohu took the two girls as his wives and made his home with the king, Niulii. A few days after this Niulii prepared for battle, and Kapunohu was made the general of all the forces of Niulii.

The men were then sent to the front, and the enemy was met with on their side of the Wainaia gulch at a place called Piauwai. Here the forces of Kukuipahu, commanded by a man named Kaluakanaka were met and the battle commenced. In this battle the forces under Kaluakanaka were beaten back by the forces of Kapunohu. The war was then carried over the Wainaia gulch and into Iole; then into Ainakea directly above Hinakahua at Kapaau, where Kukuipahu with the rest of his army was stationed. At this place the battle became very fierce, and the spears went darting back and forth. It was at this place that Kapunohu threw his spear, Kanikawi (whereby the sugarcane leaves rustled, the blades of grass grated, clouds of dust arose), and by its force killed 3200 men and the slaughter was very great. Kapunohu took all the feather helmets and cloaks and Kukuipahu was killed together with a large number of his men; the rest of his army retreated to Lamakee in Kaauhuhu, where they were overtaken by Kapunohu and the battle was again resumed.

     In this battle Paopele, a great warrior, came out to meet Kapunohu; his war club, Keolewa by name, had six rounds on it. It was so long that when it stood up its point would be wet with the mist in the heaven, and when laid down it would extend over the whole length of an ahupuaa from the sea to the mountain; when held up it would hide the sun, and it could also hold back the east wind. It required 4000 men to carry it. When this man came out on the battle field at Lamakee fear entered the breast of Kapunohu, for the body of Paopele was very large and powerful; but his god Kanikaa said: “Don’t be afraid of the loud-voiced thunder in the heaven for it has no strength; you thrust him with your spear, Kanikawi, and I will bite him.” Soon after this instruction was given by Kanikaa, he bit the back of Paopele. While Paopele was considering the nature of this thing on his back, Kapunohu threw his spear at Paopele, which hit him squarely, passed through him and killed him instantly. Lamakee from that day to this became famous, for it was here that the great warrior Paopele was killed by Kapunohu. The remnant of the army of Kukuipahu was again routed and they retreated to Kaluawilinau, at Puuepa, and from there they retreated to Upolu, then Puakea, then on to Kamilo and up to the place where the old men planted their flags. Because of this fact the ahupuaa of Kukuipahu is one of the largest in the district of Kohala to this day. The whole of Kohala thus came under the charge of Niulii and he was acknowledged the king of the whole district.

   After the battle, Kapunohu and his god Kanikaa set out for Oahu, taking his spear Kanikawi along with him, for a visit to his sister, the wife of Olopana. Kapunohu went aboard of a canoe at Kohala and landed at Keanapou, in Kahoolawe, where he spent the night; from this place he again set sail and landed at Kahalepalaoa in Lanai; then from this last place he set out and landed at Kaluakoi in Molokai; then from this place he again set out and landed at Makapuu Point, in Kailua, Koolau, where his sister Konahuanui was living. When she saw Kapunohu they wept together, after which she said: “We have no food ready. You must be hungry. There is food growing out there in the patches. Your brother-in-law, Olopana is out with the men, working.” Kapunohu said to the sister: “Let us go out so that you can show me the patches.” When they came to the place she pointed out eight patches of large taro and returned home.

   Kapunohu then set to work and pulled up all the taro in the eight patches, tied the taro into bundles and carried the whole lot in his two arms to the house, each arm holding the taro of four patches. When Kapunohu arrived at the house with the taro his sister looked on and said: “What an idea! I should think you would pull up but one patch, but here you have pulled up all the patches.” Kapunohu replied: “This will give us plenty of food; we will not be required to get it in small quantities.” Kapunohu then picked up his spear, Kanikawi, broke off the point and started the fire. When the fire lit, he took some of the taro and cut it up and threw the pieces into the fire and in this way used the taro for firewood. Because of this action of Kapunohu, the saying, “the hard taro of Waiahole,” is known from Hawaii to Niihau.

   When Olopana saw what Kapunohu had done, he began to scheme that with the use of Kapunohu he would be able to conquer the whole of Oahu, as he and Kakuhihewa, the king of the Kona side of Oahu, were on bad terms. Through the advice of his priest, Olopana was made doubly sure that Kapunohu was a very strong and brave man and was fearless and willing to meet all comers. Therefore, Olopana made Kapunohu the commander-in-chief of his forces and urged upon him to go and fight Kaku-hihewa. In this battle Kakuhihewa was slain by Kapunohu and the whole of Oahu came under the rule of Olopana.

   After the death of Olopana, Kapunohu left Oahu and journeyed to Kauai. Boarding his canoe, he set sail and first landed at Poki, in Waimea; from this place he continued on to Wahiawa and then on to Lawai in Koloa where he settled down. There lived at this place a great warrior, by the name of Kemamo, who was noted for his great strength and skill in the use of the sling; he was without equal in its practice; his left hand was considered better than his right, and he could throw a stone for a distance of six miles and in the seventh mile its force ceased. No person in Kauai was found who could face him, not from amongst the chiefs or soldiers. Because of this man people were afraid to travel between Koloa and Nawiliwili; those on the Koolau side could not pass over to Nawiliwili and those, from the Kona side were afraid to travel toward the Koloa side, for the reason that Kemamo and his wife Waialeale lived between Koloa and Nawiliwili.

     When Kapunohu arrived at Lawai he was entertained that night by some of the people at the place, and on the next day he prepared to continue on his journey. When he was ready to start, the people said: “You must not go by this way, or you will get killed by our great warrior.” Kapunohu then asked: “Who is this warrior?” “Kemamo.” “In what is his strength?” “He is very skilful in the use of the sling. He never misses a shot, and the strength of his flying stone will go over five miles. Therefore, you must not go for you will get killed.” Kapunohu said: “Then he is not strong. The sling is only a plaything for the boys of our place, and it is not considered any consequence. These remarks made by Kapunohu were carried around until they reached Kemamo; so Kemamo made the remark: “Yes, this is the first time that my strength in the use of the sling has been denied. Well and good; if he desires to come and test as which of us is the stronger, let him come on.” When Kapunohu heard this, he went out to meet Kemamo. Upon seeing Kapunohu, Kemamo asked: “Are you the man that has said that I have no strength in the use of the sling?” Kapunohu replied: “Yes, I am the man. It is because these people said that you are very skilful in the use of the sling, so I said, that it is the plaything with the small boys at our place.”

    When Kemamo heard this, he became very angry toward Kapunohu and said: “What will the stranger bet on the proposition?” Kapunohu replied: “My life will be stake.” “Yes,” said Kemamo, “and what else?'' Kapunohu replied: “That is all a traveler takes with him. If you beat me my life shall be forfeited, and if I should beat you your life shall be forfeited.” Kemamo agreed to this, and the bet was declared made. Kemamo then said: “The course over which we shall compete in throwing the stone with the sling, shall be from Koloa to Moloaa in Koolau. We must make our throws over these points and toward Moloaa; whoever throws the greatest distance beyond Moloaa wins.” Kapunohu replied: “Yes, I will agree to that, but I am going to use my spear while you use your sling.” Kemamo agreed to this. Kemamo then asked: “Who shall take the first chance? Shall it be the stranger, or shall it be the native son?” Kapunohu answered: “Let the native son take the first chance and the stranger the last.”

     Kemamo then took up his sling and threw his stone, which went six miles and over, and it only fell and rolled after it had entered into the seventh mile, stopping at Anahola, where it was picked up by the best runner of Kauai, a man by the name of Kawaikuauhoe. Kapunohu then threw his spear, darting along from Koloa and over Niumalu, and as it shielded the sun from the coconut trees at this place the land was given the name of Niumalu, as known to this day; then it went on and into the water in upper Wailua, giving the place the name of Kawelowai as well as the land next to it which is called Waiehu; from this place it again took an upward flight flying along till it pierced through a ridge at Anahola, which is called Kalalea, leaving a hole through it, which can be seen to this day;

from this place it went on past Moloaa, then past Waiakalua, then into Kalihikai, where it grew weaker and finally stopped at Hanalei. Kemamo was therefore beaten, and the conditions of their bet were carried out. Kapunohu became king of Kauai.  

     Kii: The Garden Island -Eia o Kalaea, ka puu ma uka aku o Anahola, Kawaihau, Kauai. Aia i uka, ka ipuka a ka Kapunoa ihe o Kanikawi ka inoa.