Opaelolo

A skilled fisher and wrestler from Waikalua, Oahu, sailed out of his fishing grounds to a nearby district on the Koolaupoko coast. His fame in lawaia and wrestling traveled with him as he made many stops along the coast. His waa came to rest at a shoreline not far from his own and he soon met with the residents there. This malihini began to boast about his skills in lawaia and wrestling to the local fishermen of the area. The encounter between this traveling fisherman from Waikalua and the local lawaia from the uplands soon turned into a contest. This traveling stranger challenged a older fisherman from this land to a wrestling match on the sandy shore at the waters edge. Here is the outcome of that contest. There is some kaona in this chant and it may be better understood by those who are from the area. I will not dive deep into this kaona as it is a gift for those of you who can unravel its meaning.

Traditonal K.K. Ku'ialuaopuna

E Kawaiokeola

Hopu i ka newa

Ka Ulili lelele i kou alo

Ke poo opaelolo ao Waikalua aku

E aai ia ana e ke Kalamoho, ka awa o Kaneloa

Lawe i ka maunu i te po

O Haehaekamanu ka ai

Ka ai a ka ui

Hoopaa ia ka ikaika ou

I ka aina o Waianu

Pua ka uahi ma Kapuakea

Moe e no o Puukuolani i ka ino Koolau

Palaha akula ka ino ma kai

Ka hee palaha o Waiakalua

Kaulai ka ia ma Puuhuula

Ma ka nuku o Kewa, ka moloalo o ka aina.

Oh Kawaiokeola,

Take hold of your stone

The thin legged one jumps before you

The shrimp head of Waikalua

To be eaten by the Awa of Kaneloa

Take the bait into the realm of darkness

Haehaekamanu is the food

The stroke of the skilled one

Your strength is made firm

In the lands of Waianu

The smoke climbs at Kapuakea

Puukuolani relaxes in the storm

The storm extends over the shore

The flattened octopus of Waikalua

Puuhuula is where fish are dried

At the mouth of Kewa, the stream of that land.