Makaioulu

Fornander Collection of Hawaiian Folk-lore.

Famous men of Early Days

Makaioulu was one of Kamehameha's celebrated warriors in the war between Oahu and Kamehameha, at Nuuanu. Kaalamakaoikuwa was the warrior of Oahu, and resided at Luahenewai, Waikiki-kai. Makaioulu with a companion warrior, Naaimokuokama by name, came and met Kaalamakaoikuwa. Instantly Makaioulu was seized and held prisoner, while Naaimokuokama ran away. And while he was running, Makaioulu called after him: “Do you run away and leave me?” When Naaimokuokama heard this he stopped. Makaioulu then said: “Hurl that spear that you hold in your hand straight to my navel.” Naaimokuokama did so, and at the same time that he did, Makaioulu dodged to one side, the spear striking Kaalamakaoikuwa and killing him. Makaioulu escaped, and they went thence to Puowaina. Here were ten soldiers, who when they saw the two, pointed their ten spears at them at the same time. And while they were doing this, Makaioulu turned rearward and said to his companion: “Say, if they hurl their spears to my front, you stand sideways ; and if they hurl at my side you stand at my right. Do not wink or you will be hit.” Makaioulu then faced about and went forward. And when he came near to the ten men they hurled spears at him. He dodged and the spears missed him. As their spears missed him, Makaioulu made a sweep with his war club which caught six men, four escaping. They went thence to Niuhelewai where Kupaka was stopping. He was a celebrated warrior of Kahahana, the great chief of Oahu, before the reign of Kalaikupule. When the two arrived at the place, Kupaka made a lunge with his spear at Makaioulu without result; Makaioulu, however, had a narrow escape from death, because he had his club in his left hand. Kupaka was, however, killed by Makaioulu. The two continued on to Kalauao, at Ewa, where they met with a large number of warriors who surrounded Makaioulu. He considered a way for his escape from the hands of these people, and at last found it. He said to them: “If you all were to fight me, it will be to your shame. The best way is that one of you engage me, that is right; but if you mob me you will be ashamed, because I am only one.” They consented and stood up one by one. By so doing they were all killed by Makaioulu. When Makaioulu left Ewa, he went toward Waianae. At the hill of Kapolei, on its western side, he met a robber who was sitting on the edge of the road, with a kuia2 stick in his hands, a war weapon of Hawaii nei. When he came up to the man Makaioulu uttered his greetings, but the other would not respond. Makaioulu turned and proceeded on his way. The man then hurled his kuia which Makaioulu noticed by the shadow which passed over his head. He parried the kuia with his club and then turned and said: “Here, I am going to kill you; for I greeted you with love and you did not respond, and I see that murder was on. your mind.” Just then the man started to run with all speed. Makaioulu chased after until he caught him, grabbed him by the neck, turned the face upward and killed him. Then Makaioulu went from that place till he came to Makua,3 where he met two women who understood the art of breaking bones, and where he came near being killed; but because of his own skill and knowledge of the art himself he escaped death, and the women were killed by him.

1Pakaka was that portion of Honolulu below Queen street now known as Allen & Robinson’s, formerly James Robinson s, the White man Jim referred to.

2A kuia stick was a war weapon, said to be a cross between a long dagger and a short spear.

3Makua is one of the most western valleys of Waianae, a section which was the traditional home of the olohe, or professional robbers, whose skill as bonebreakers was the secret of their success.