Kahahana
Encyclopedia
Kahahana was the 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu
and Alii Aimoku of Molokai
. He ruled the island of Oahu
and its tributary
, the island of Molokai
, from 1773 until his death in 1783. He was elected by the Oahu nobility to succeed Kumahana
as Moi of Oahu. This was the second king to be elected to succeed to the throne of Oahu, the first being Mailikukahi
who was his ancestor. With his downfall Oahu ceased to be an independent state, and became a tributary to the Maui kings.
. He might have been born under the Haley's Comet yet he was not destined to unify the Hawaiian Islands
, as Kamehameha would.
His father was Elani
, Chief of the Ewa District. Through his father he descended from the powerful and noble House of Ewa from the Maweke
-Laakona
line. His mother could be disputed. Abraham Fornander
, in his book An Account of the Polynesian Race, never accounts his mother or any of Elani’s wife; but he does give his grandmother as Princess Kaionuilalahai. Solomon Lehuanui Kalaniomaiheilu Peleioholani, descendant of Kahahana, gives Kaionuilalahai as the wife of Elani. This Kaionuilalahai was the daughter of Kalanikahimakeialii and Kualii
, King of Oahu and Kauai. Therefore he was nephew of Kapiohookalani
and Peleioholani
and cousin of Kanahaokalani
& Kumahana
, his four predecessors. Through his grandmother, as given by Kekoolani, Kalanikahimakeialii who was a chiefess of the highest rank, an Alii Pio, he was the great-grandson of Kaulahea II, King of Maui, and his sister bride Kalaniomaiheuila
, both children of Lonohonuakini, King of Maui.
Kahahana had from boyhood been raised at the royal court of Kahekili II
, at Wailuku on the island of Maui
. The reason for his stay at the Maui court was his mother’s relation to the warrior king of Maui. Kahahana was the first-cousin-once-removed of Kahekili through Kaulahea II and also second-cousin-once-removed of Kahekili through Lonohonuakini. Kahekili looked upon his cousin's child almost as a son of his own.
, the son of Peleioholani
, was deposed by the Alii (chiefs or nobles) and Makaainana (commoners) of Oahu. The second was the Royal Election of 1773. Although Kumahana had grown-up children at the time, the Oahu nobles passed them up electing a successor to the throne. The main reason of the election was not the because of the inability of Kumanaha’s children, rather an elected monarch would had to heed the advice of the district nobles who placed him in so high a position. The nobles elected the young son of Elani. Even though the Oahu chiefs had recently dethroned a Kualii, they still wanted one of the Kualiis to succeed to the throne; the Oahuans’ love of their old warrior king had still not diminished even after a few unpopular successors. Kahahana was among the last of the Kualii line.
What share, if any, indirectly, that Kahekili may have had in the election on Oahu, is not known; but when the results were told to Kahekili, he appears to have not been pleased. He either wished to succeed himself, or had been plotting for the conquest of Oahu and the election of his cousin would hamper his plan. The Oahu chiefs had deputed Kekelaokalani, a high chiefess, a cousin to Kahahana's mother and also to Kahekili, to proceed to Wailuku, Maui
, and declare the election and solicit his sanction of the result. After some delay, Kahekili consented to Kahahana going to Oahu. But Kahekili refused to let his wife Kekuapoi-ula go with him. Eventually he consented, but demanded as a price that the land of Kualoa in Koolaupoko district should be ceded to him, and also the "Palaoa-pae" (the whalebone and ivory
) cast on the shores of Oahu by the sea.
Hampered with these demands of Kahekili, Kahahana started with his wife and company for Oahu, and landed at Kahaloa in Waikiki
. He was enthusiastically received, installed as ruler of the island, and people rejoiced. Kahahana was just 15.
of Oahu. Kualoa being one of the most sacred places on the island, where stood the sacred drum
s of Kapahuula and Kaahu-ulapunawai, and also the sacred hill of Kauakahi-a-Kahoowaha; and the surrender of the “Palaoa-pae” would be a disrespect to the gods. In fact, if Kahekili' s demands were complied with, the power of war and of sacrifice would rest with the Maui king and not with Kahahana. Kaopulupulu represented strongly, moreover, that if Kahahana had obtained the kingdom by conquest, he might do as he liked, but having been chosen by the Oahu chiefs, it would be wrong in him to cede to another the national emblem
s of sovereignty and independence.
Kahahana and the chiefs agreed with his advice not to comply with the demands of Kahekili. The King of Maui was far too good a politician to display his resentment at this refusal of his demands, knowing he could not have the slightest prospects of enforcing them by war so long as the Oahu chiefs were united in their policy, and that policy was guided by the sage and experienced high-priest Kaopulupulu. He dissembled, therefore, and kept up friendly relations with Kahahana, but secretly turned his attention to destroy the influence of Kaopulupulu in the affairs of Oahu, and create distrust between him and Kahahana. In this object he is said to have been heartily advised and assisted by his own high-priest, Kaleopuupuu, the younger brother of Kaopulupulu, and who envied the latter the riches and consideration which his wisdom and skill had obtained for him.
Moreover, the warlike preparations of the Hawaii king Kalaniopuu, 1777—78, Kahekili against precipitating a rupture with so powerful an ally as the Oahuan King. He was happy to obtain the assistance of Kahahana and his chiefs in the war with Kalaniopuu. Kahahana's forces arriving from the island of Molokai
just in time to share the sanguinary battle at the Waikapu. They arrived on the evening of the day that the famous Alapa regiment of Kalaniopuu was annihilated Kahekili, and joined in the next day's general battle.
After the return of Kalaniopuu to Hawai island in January 1779, Kahahana went to Molokai
to consecrate the Heiau
called Kupukapuakea at Wailau
, and to build or repair the large taro
patch at Kainalu known as Paikahawai. He was joined by Kahekili, who was welcomed and royally entertained. On observing the abundance and prosperity of the Molokai lands, Kahekili longed to possess some of them, and asked Kahahana to give him the land of Halawa. Kahahana promptly granted the request, not being moved by the same considerations regarding the Molokai lands as those of Oahu. Molokai was conquered and subjected as an appanage or tributary to the Oahu crown by Peleioholani. At this meeting, while discussing Kahahana's previous refusal to give Kahekili the Kualoa land and the Palaoa-pae" on Oahu, Kahekili expressed his surprise at the opposition of Kaopulupulu, assuring Kahahana that the high-priest had offered the government and throne of Oahu to him (Kahekili), but that out of affection for his nephew he had refused. He intimated strongly that Kaopulupulu was a traitor to Kahahana.
The scheme of Kahekili was taking its course, and Kahahana returned to Oahu filled with mistrust and suspicion of his faithful high-priest. A coolness arose between them. Kahahana withdrew his confidence from, and slighted the advice of, the high-priest, who retired from the court to his own estate in Waialua and Waimea
, and caused himself and all his people and retainers to be tattooed on the knee, as a sign that the King had turned a deaf ear to his advice. It is said that during this period of estrangement Kahahana became burdensome to the people, capricious and heedless, and in a great measure alienated their good-will. It is said, moreover, that he caused to be dug up dead men's bones to make arrow-points of wherewith to shoot rats — a favourite pastime of the chiefs ; and that he even ransacked the tombs of the chiefs in order to make Kahili handles of their bones, thus outraging the public sentiment of the nation. That Kahahana was imprudent and rash, and perhaps exacting, there is no doubt ; and that conquered chieftains' bones were the legitimate trophies of the victors is equally true ; but that Kahahana would have violated the tombs of the dead — an act even in those days of the greatest moral baseness — is hardly credible, and is probably an after exaggeration, either by the disaffected priestly faction or by the victorious Kahekili plotters.
In the meanwhile, Kahekili reconquered the district of Hana, and, hearing of the death of Kalaniopuu and the subsequent contentions on Hawaii, he felt secure in that direction, and seriously turned his attention to the acquisition of Oahu. He first sent some war-canoes and a detachment of soldiers under command of a warrior chief named Kahahawai to the assistance of Keawemauhili
, the then independent chief of Hilo, in his contest with Kamehameha I
. He sent his most trusted servant Kauhi to Kahahana on Oahu, with instructions to inform Kahahana in the strictest confidence that Kaopulupulu had again offered him the kingdom of Oahu, but that his regard for Kahahana would not allow him to accept it, and exhorting Kahahana to be on his guard against the machinations of the high-priest. Credulous as weak, Kahahana believed the falsehoods sent him by Kahekili, and, without confiding his purpose to anyone, he resolved on the execution of Kaopulupulu. Preparations were ordered to be made for a tour of the island of Oahu, for the purpose of consecrating Heiaus and offering sacrifices. When the king arrived at Waianae he sent for the high- priest, who was then residing on his lands at Waimea and Pupukea, in the Koolau district, to come to see him. It is said that Kaopulupulu was fully aware of the ulterior objects of the king, and was well convinced that the message boded him no good ; yet, faithful to his duties as a priest and loyal to the last, he started with his son Kahulupue to obey the summons of the king. Arriving at Waianae, Kahulupue was set upon by the king's servants, and, while escaping from them, was drowned at Malae. Kaopulupulu was killed at Puuloa, in Ewa
.
Thus foolishly and cruelly Kahahana had played into the hand of Kahekili, who, with his high-priest Kaleopuupuu, had for a long time been plotting the death of Kahahana's ablest and wisest counsellor. The death of Kaopulupulu took place in the latter part of 1782 or beginning of 1783. Though executions "de par le roi" of obnoxious persons for political reasons were not uncommon in those days throughout the group, and by the proud and turbulent nobility generally looked upon more as a matter of personal ill-luck to the victim than as a public injustice, yet this double execution, in the necessity of which few people except the credulous Kahahana believed, greatly alienated the feelings of both chiefs and commoners from him, and weakened his influence and resources to withstand the coming storm. the hand of Kahekili, who, with his high-priest Kaleopuupuu, had for a long time been plotting the death of Kahahana's ablest and wisest counsellor.
As soon as Kahekili heard that Kaopulupulu was dead, he considered the main obstacle to his acquisition of the island of Oahu to be removed, and prepared for an invasion. He recalled the auxiliary troops under Kahahawai which he had sent to the assistance of Keawemauhili in Hilo, and assembled his forces at Lahaina. Touching at Molokai on his way, he landed at Waikiki
, Oahu
. Among his chiefs and warriors of note on this expedition are mentioned Kekuamanoha, Kaiana, Namakeha, Kalaikoa, Kamohomoho, Nahiolea, Hueu, Kauhikoakoa, Kahue, Kalaninuiulumoku, Peapea, Manono-Kauakapekulani, Kalanikupule
Koalaukane. Besides his own armament, he had several double canoes furnished him by Keawemauhili of Hilo, and by Keouakuahuula of Kau.
Kahahana was at Kawananakoa, in the upper part of Nuuanu valley, when the news came of Kahekili's landing at Waikiki, and hastily summoning his warriors, he prepared as best he could to meet so sudden an emergency. As an episode of this war the following legend has been preserved and may prove interesting: — When the news of the invasion spread to Ewa
and Waialua, eight famous warriors from those places, whose names the legend has retained, concerted an expedition on their own account to win distinction for their bravery and inflict what damage they could on Kahekili's forces. It was a chivalrous undertaking, a forlorn hope, and wholly unauthorized by Kahahana, but fully within the spirit of the time for personal valour, audacity, and total disregard of consequences. The names of these Oahu patriots were Pupuka, Makaioulu, Puakea, Pinau, Kalaeone, Pahua, Kauhi, and Kapukoa.
Starting direct from Apuakehau in Waikiki, where Kahekili's army was encamped and organising preparatory to a march inland to fight Kahahana, the eight Oahu warriors boldly charged a large contingent of several hundred men of the Maui troops collected at the Heiau. In a twinkling they were surrounded by overwhelming numbers, and a fight commenced to which Hawaiian legends record no parallel. Using their long spears and javelins with marvelous skill and dexterity, and killing a prodigious number of their enemies, the eight champions broke through the circle of spears that surrounded them. But Makaioulu, though a good fighter was a bad runner, on account of his short bow-legs, and he was overtaken by Kauhikoakoa, a Maui chief. Makaioulu was soon tripped up, secured, and bound by Kauhikoakoa, who, swinging the captive up on his own shoulders, started off with him for the camp to have him sacrificed as the first victim of the war. This affair took place on the bank of the Punaluu taro patch, near the cocoa-nut grove of Kuakuaaka. Makaioulu, thus hoisted on the back of his captor, caught sight of his friend Pupuka, and called out to him to throw his spear straight at the navel of his stomach. In hopes of shortening the present and prospective tortures of his friend, and knowing well what his fate would be if brought alive into the enemy's camp, Pupuka did as he was bidden, and with an unerring aim. But Makaioulu, seeing the spear coming, threw himself with a violent effort on one side, and the spear went through the back of Kauhikoakoa. Seeing their leader fall, the Maui soldiers desisted from farther pursuit, and the eight champions escaped.
In the beginning of 1783 (some say January) Kahekili divided his forces in three columns, marched from Waikiki by Puowaina, Pauoa and Kapena, and gave battle to Kahahana near the small stream of Kaheiki. Kahahana's army was thoroughly routed, and he and his wife Kekua-poi-ula fled to mountains. In this battle Kauwahine, the wife of Kahekili, fought valiantly at his side. Oahu and Molokai now became the conquest of Kahekili.
He died in 1783, with which closed the autonomy of the island of Oahu. What followed was the Waipio Conspiracy, which ended in the extermination of the entire Oahuan nobility.
Alii Aimoku of Oahu
The Alii Aimoku was the sovereign king or queen of one of the four main Hawaiian Islands. The monarchs of island Oahu, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from Wakea. Nanaulu, a fourteenth generation descendant of Wakea was the ancestor of Kumuhonua, 1st known King of Oahu,...
and Alii Aimoku of Molokai
Alii Aimoku of Molokai
The Alii Aimoku was the sovereign king or queen of one of the four main Hawaiian Islands. The monarchs of island Molokai, like those of the other Hawaiian islands, claim descent from Wakea...
. He ruled the island of Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
and its tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
, the island of Molokai
Molokai
Molokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
, from 1773 until his death in 1783. He was elected by the Oahu nobility to succeed Kumahana
Kumahana
Kumahana the 23rd Alii Aimoku of Oahu . He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu. -Early life:He was born the son of Peleioholani, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu and 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai, by his first wife Halakii, of Kauaian aristocracy...
as Moi of Oahu. This was the second king to be elected to succeed to the throne of Oahu, the first being Mailikukahi
Mailikukahi
Mailikukahi was the eighth Alii Aimoku of Oahu. He reigned as the titular chieftain or king of the island of Oahu and all its territories it may of claim at the time. He was Oahu's first true great king, and his successor, one after another were as great as the next, excepting Kuamanuia. "The...
who was his ancestor. With his downfall Oahu ceased to be an independent state, and became a tributary to the Maui kings.
Early life
Kahahana was born in the mid 18th century, about the year 1758, in the same year as Kamehameha IKamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
. He might have been born under the Haley's Comet yet he was not destined to unify the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
, as Kamehameha would.
His father was Elani
Elani of Ewa
Elani was a High Chief of the Ewa district on the Island of Oahu and father of the last independent Sovereign of Oahu. In an uprising to regain the autonomy of the Kingdom of Oahu, he fought Kahekili II and died...
, Chief of the Ewa District. Through his father he descended from the powerful and noble House of Ewa from the Maweke
Maweke
Maweke was a northern Hawaiian king. He was of the Nanaulu line being lineal descendent of Nanaulu, the brother of Ulu, from whom the southern chiefs claim their descent. The northern chiefs of Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau descent from Maweke and Nanaulu...
-Laakona
Laakona
Laakona or sometimes incorrectly Lakona of Ewa, a Prince of Oahu, was the District Chieftain or King of Ewa on Oahu. During his days, Oahu was divided among the descendants of Maweke, a legendary blue blood alii from which the Northern royal bloodlines sprouted.Laakona was the grandson of Maweke of...
line. His mother could be disputed. Abraham Fornander
Abraham Fornander
Abraham Fornander was a Swedish-born emigrant who became an important Hawaiian journalist, judge, and ethnologist.-Early life and education:...
, in his book An Account of the Polynesian Race, never accounts his mother or any of Elani’s wife; but he does give his grandmother as Princess Kaionuilalahai. Solomon Lehuanui Kalaniomaiheilu Peleioholani, descendant of Kahahana, gives Kaionuilalahai as the wife of Elani. This Kaionuilalahai was the daughter of Kalanikahimakeialii and Kualii
Kualii
Kūalii Kunuiakea Kuikealaikauaokalani, the 19th Alii Aimoku of Oahu and 20th Alii Aimoku of Kauai. He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu and of Kauai. Kūalii is remembered for his famous kanawai, Law of Ni'aupi'o Kolowalu, which required farmers and fishermen to welcome and feed hungry strangers...
, King of Oahu and Kauai. Therefore he was nephew of Kapiohookalani
Kapiohookalani
Kapiioho o kalani was a ruler of Oahu island 1730–1737. His unsuccessful war campaign indicates a warlike nature inherited from his father, uncommon in the otherwise peaceful Oahu chiefs.-Early life:...
and Peleioholani
Peleioholani
Peleioholani 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai and 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu. He ruled as titular King or chieftain of Kauai, Oahu and held tributary over Molokai after he conquered that island and slew the Molokaian chiefs. Sometimes called Peleiholani...
and cousin of Kanahaokalani
Kanahaokalani
Kanahaokalani was the 21st Alii Aimoku of Oahu , ruler of Oahu island. He was the only Oahu chief to die while an infant and who relied on a regent. He is sometimes referred to as Kahahaokalani.-Reign:...
& Kumahana
Kumahana
Kumahana the 23rd Alii Aimoku of Oahu . He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu. -Early life:He was born the son of Peleioholani, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu and 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai, by his first wife Halakii, of Kauaian aristocracy...
, his four predecessors. Through his grandmother, as given by Kekoolani, Kalanikahimakeialii who was a chiefess of the highest rank, an Alii Pio, he was the great-grandson of Kaulahea II, King of Maui, and his sister bride Kalaniomaiheuila
Kalaniomaiheuila
Kalaniomaiheuila, a Queen Consort and Princess of Maui, was the maternal ancestress of the Kings of Oahu, from Kapiohookalani to Kahahana. In she is mentioned as the Princess Kalani-Io-Mai-Heula....
, both children of Lonohonuakini, King of Maui.
Kahahana had from boyhood been raised at the royal court of Kahekili II
Kahekili II
Kahekili II, full name Kahekilinuiahumanu, was the twenty fifth King of Maui. His name was short for Kāne-Hekili after the Hawaiian god of thunder. Because Kāne-Hekili was believed to be black on one side, Kahekili tattooed one side of his body from head to foot.-Family:He was born about...
, at Wailuku on the island of Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
. The reason for his stay at the Maui court was his mother’s relation to the warrior king of Maui. Kahahana was the first-cousin-once-removed of Kahekili through Kaulahea II and also second-cousin-once-removed of Kahekili through Lonohonuakini. Kahekili looked upon his cousin's child almost as a son of his own.
Election
In 1773, events changed Kahahana’s life forever. The first was KumahanaKumahana
Kumahana the 23rd Alii Aimoku of Oahu . He ruled as titular King or chief of Oahu. -Early life:He was born the son of Peleioholani, 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu and 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai, by his first wife Halakii, of Kauaian aristocracy...
, the son of Peleioholani
Peleioholani
Peleioholani 21st Alii Aimoku of Kauai and 22nd Alii Aimoku of Oahu. He ruled as titular King or chieftain of Kauai, Oahu and held tributary over Molokai after he conquered that island and slew the Molokaian chiefs. Sometimes called Peleiholani...
, was deposed by the Alii (chiefs or nobles) and Makaainana (commoners) of Oahu. The second was the Royal Election of 1773. Although Kumahana had grown-up children at the time, the Oahu nobles passed them up electing a successor to the throne. The main reason of the election was not the because of the inability of Kumanaha’s children, rather an elected monarch would had to heed the advice of the district nobles who placed him in so high a position. The nobles elected the young son of Elani. Even though the Oahu chiefs had recently dethroned a Kualii, they still wanted one of the Kualiis to succeed to the throne; the Oahuans’ love of their old warrior king had still not diminished even after a few unpopular successors. Kahahana was among the last of the Kualii line.
What share, if any, indirectly, that Kahekili may have had in the election on Oahu, is not known; but when the results were told to Kahekili, he appears to have not been pleased. He either wished to succeed himself, or had been plotting for the conquest of Oahu and the election of his cousin would hamper his plan. The Oahu chiefs had deputed Kekelaokalani, a high chiefess, a cousin to Kahahana's mother and also to Kahekili, to proceed to Wailuku, Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
, and declare the election and solicit his sanction of the result. After some delay, Kahekili consented to Kahahana going to Oahu. But Kahekili refused to let his wife Kekuapoi-ula go with him. Eventually he consented, but demanded as a price that the land of Kualoa in Koolaupoko district should be ceded to him, and also the "Palaoa-pae" (the whalebone and ivory
Ivory
Ivory is a term for dentine, which constitutes the bulk of the teeth and tusks of animals, when used as a material for art or manufacturing. Ivory has been important since ancient times for making a range of items, from ivory carvings to false teeth, fans, dominoes, joint tubes, piano keys and...
) cast on the shores of Oahu by the sea.
Hampered with these demands of Kahekili, Kahahana started with his wife and company for Oahu, and landed at Kahaloa in Waikiki
Waikiki
Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī....
. He was enthusiastically received, installed as ruler of the island, and people rejoiced. Kahahana was just 15.
Reign
Soon after his installation, Kahahana called a council of the chiefs and the high-priest Kaopulupulu, and laid before them the demands of Kahekili regarding the land of Kualoa and the Palaoa-pae. At first the council was divided, and some thought it was a reasonable return for the kindness and protection shown to Kahahana from his youth by Kahekili. But the high-priest was strongly opposed, and argued that it was a virtual surrender of the sovereigntySovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
of Oahu. Kualoa being one of the most sacred places on the island, where stood the sacred drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s of Kapahuula and Kaahu-ulapunawai, and also the sacred hill of Kauakahi-a-Kahoowaha; and the surrender of the “Palaoa-pae” would be a disrespect to the gods. In fact, if Kahekili' s demands were complied with, the power of war and of sacrifice would rest with the Maui king and not with Kahahana. Kaopulupulu represented strongly, moreover, that if Kahahana had obtained the kingdom by conquest, he might do as he liked, but having been chosen by the Oahu chiefs, it would be wrong in him to cede to another the national emblem
National emblem
A national emblem symbolically represents a nation. Most national emblems originate in the natural world, such as animals or birds, but another object may serve. National emblems may appear on many things such as the national flag, coat of arms, or other patriotic materials...
s of sovereignty and independence.
Kahahana and the chiefs agreed with his advice not to comply with the demands of Kahekili. The King of Maui was far too good a politician to display his resentment at this refusal of his demands, knowing he could not have the slightest prospects of enforcing them by war so long as the Oahu chiefs were united in their policy, and that policy was guided by the sage and experienced high-priest Kaopulupulu. He dissembled, therefore, and kept up friendly relations with Kahahana, but secretly turned his attention to destroy the influence of Kaopulupulu in the affairs of Oahu, and create distrust between him and Kahahana. In this object he is said to have been heartily advised and assisted by his own high-priest, Kaleopuupuu, the younger brother of Kaopulupulu, and who envied the latter the riches and consideration which his wisdom and skill had obtained for him.
Moreover, the warlike preparations of the Hawaii king Kalaniopuu, 1777—78, Kahekili against precipitating a rupture with so powerful an ally as the Oahuan King. He was happy to obtain the assistance of Kahahana and his chiefs in the war with Kalaniopuu. Kahahana's forces arriving from the island of Molokai
Molokai
Molokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
just in time to share the sanguinary battle at the Waikapu. They arrived on the evening of the day that the famous Alapa regiment of Kalaniopuu was annihilated Kahekili, and joined in the next day's general battle.
After the return of Kalaniopuu to Hawai island in January 1779, Kahahana went to Molokai
Molokai
Molokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
to consecrate the Heiau
Heiau
A heiau is a Hawaiian temple. Many types of heiau existed, including heiau to treat the sick , offer first fruits, offer first catch, start rain, stop rain, increase the population, ensure health of the nation, achieve success in distant voyaging, reach peace, and achieve success in war . Only the...
called Kupukapuakea at Wailau
Wailau
Wailau, also known as East Molokai Volcano, is an extinct shield volcano comprising the eastern two-thirds of the island of Molokai in the U.S. state of Hawaii.-Description:...
, and to build or repair the large taro
Taro
Taro is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae . Of these, Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated, and is the subject of this article. More specifically, this article describes the 'dasheen' form of taro; another variety is called eddoe.Taro is...
patch at Kainalu known as Paikahawai. He was joined by Kahekili, who was welcomed and royally entertained. On observing the abundance and prosperity of the Molokai lands, Kahekili longed to possess some of them, and asked Kahahana to give him the land of Halawa. Kahahana promptly granted the request, not being moved by the same considerations regarding the Molokai lands as those of Oahu. Molokai was conquered and subjected as an appanage or tributary to the Oahu crown by Peleioholani. At this meeting, while discussing Kahahana's previous refusal to give Kahekili the Kualoa land and the Palaoa-pae" on Oahu, Kahekili expressed his surprise at the opposition of Kaopulupulu, assuring Kahahana that the high-priest had offered the government and throne of Oahu to him (Kahekili), but that out of affection for his nephew he had refused. He intimated strongly that Kaopulupulu was a traitor to Kahahana.
The scheme of Kahekili was taking its course, and Kahahana returned to Oahu filled with mistrust and suspicion of his faithful high-priest. A coolness arose between them. Kahahana withdrew his confidence from, and slighted the advice of, the high-priest, who retired from the court to his own estate in Waialua and Waimea
Waimea
-Places:United States*Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii *Waimea, Kauai County, Hawaii*Waimea Bay, Hawaii on Oahu*Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai*Waimea Ditch on Kauai*Waimea River on Kauai*Waimea Valley on OahuNew Zealand...
, and caused himself and all his people and retainers to be tattooed on the knee, as a sign that the King had turned a deaf ear to his advice. It is said that during this period of estrangement Kahahana became burdensome to the people, capricious and heedless, and in a great measure alienated their good-will. It is said, moreover, that he caused to be dug up dead men's bones to make arrow-points of wherewith to shoot rats — a favourite pastime of the chiefs ; and that he even ransacked the tombs of the chiefs in order to make Kahili handles of their bones, thus outraging the public sentiment of the nation. That Kahahana was imprudent and rash, and perhaps exacting, there is no doubt ; and that conquered chieftains' bones were the legitimate trophies of the victors is equally true ; but that Kahahana would have violated the tombs of the dead — an act even in those days of the greatest moral baseness — is hardly credible, and is probably an after exaggeration, either by the disaffected priestly faction or by the victorious Kahekili plotters.
In the meanwhile, Kahekili reconquered the district of Hana, and, hearing of the death of Kalaniopuu and the subsequent contentions on Hawaii, he felt secure in that direction, and seriously turned his attention to the acquisition of Oahu. He first sent some war-canoes and a detachment of soldiers under command of a warrior chief named Kahahawai to the assistance of Keawemauhili
Keawemauhili
Keawemauhili, spelled in old texts as Keawe-mau-hili, was an important member of the Hawaiian nobility at the time of the founding of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Life:...
, the then independent chief of Hilo, in his contest with Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I , also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha preserved Hawaii's independence under his rule...
. He sent his most trusted servant Kauhi to Kahahana on Oahu, with instructions to inform Kahahana in the strictest confidence that Kaopulupulu had again offered him the kingdom of Oahu, but that his regard for Kahahana would not allow him to accept it, and exhorting Kahahana to be on his guard against the machinations of the high-priest. Credulous as weak, Kahahana believed the falsehoods sent him by Kahekili, and, without confiding his purpose to anyone, he resolved on the execution of Kaopulupulu. Preparations were ordered to be made for a tour of the island of Oahu, for the purpose of consecrating Heiaus and offering sacrifices. When the king arrived at Waianae he sent for the high- priest, who was then residing on his lands at Waimea and Pupukea, in the Koolau district, to come to see him. It is said that Kaopulupulu was fully aware of the ulterior objects of the king, and was well convinced that the message boded him no good ; yet, faithful to his duties as a priest and loyal to the last, he started with his son Kahulupue to obey the summons of the king. Arriving at Waianae, Kahulupue was set upon by the king's servants, and, while escaping from them, was drowned at Malae. Kaopulupulu was killed at Puuloa, in Ewa
Ewa
Ewa can refer to:In geography:* Eastern Washington* 'Ewa Beach, Hawaii, unincorporated Census-designated place * Ewa Villages, Hawaii, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
.
Thus foolishly and cruelly Kahahana had played into the hand of Kahekili, who, with his high-priest Kaleopuupuu, had for a long time been plotting the death of Kahahana's ablest and wisest counsellor. The death of Kaopulupulu took place in the latter part of 1782 or beginning of 1783. Though executions "de par le roi" of obnoxious persons for political reasons were not uncommon in those days throughout the group, and by the proud and turbulent nobility generally looked upon more as a matter of personal ill-luck to the victim than as a public injustice, yet this double execution, in the necessity of which few people except the credulous Kahahana believed, greatly alienated the feelings of both chiefs and commoners from him, and weakened his influence and resources to withstand the coming storm. the hand of Kahekili, who, with his high-priest Kaleopuupuu, had for a long time been plotting the death of Kahahana's ablest and wisest counsellor.
As soon as Kahekili heard that Kaopulupulu was dead, he considered the main obstacle to his acquisition of the island of Oahu to be removed, and prepared for an invasion. He recalled the auxiliary troops under Kahahawai which he had sent to the assistance of Keawemauhili in Hilo, and assembled his forces at Lahaina. Touching at Molokai on his way, he landed at Waikiki
Waikiki
Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī....
, Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
. Among his chiefs and warriors of note on this expedition are mentioned Kekuamanoha, Kaiana, Namakeha, Kalaikoa, Kamohomoho, Nahiolea, Hueu, Kauhikoakoa, Kahue, Kalaninuiulumoku, Peapea, Manono-Kauakapekulani, Kalanikupule
Kalanikupule
Kalanikūpule was the 27th Mōī of Maui and King of Oahu. He was the last king to physically fight with Kamehameha I over the Hawaiian Islands. Kalanikūpule was the last of the longest line of Alii Aimoku in the Hawaiian Islands.- Early life :...
Koalaukane. Besides his own armament, he had several double canoes furnished him by Keawemauhili of Hilo, and by Keouakuahuula of Kau.
Kahahana was at Kawananakoa, in the upper part of Nuuanu valley, when the news came of Kahekili's landing at Waikiki, and hastily summoning his warriors, he prepared as best he could to meet so sudden an emergency. As an episode of this war the following legend has been preserved and may prove interesting: — When the news of the invasion spread to Ewa
Ewa
Ewa can refer to:In geography:* Eastern Washington* 'Ewa Beach, Hawaii, unincorporated Census-designated place * Ewa Villages, Hawaii, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
and Waialua, eight famous warriors from those places, whose names the legend has retained, concerted an expedition on their own account to win distinction for their bravery and inflict what damage they could on Kahekili's forces. It was a chivalrous undertaking, a forlorn hope, and wholly unauthorized by Kahahana, but fully within the spirit of the time for personal valour, audacity, and total disregard of consequences. The names of these Oahu patriots were Pupuka, Makaioulu, Puakea, Pinau, Kalaeone, Pahua, Kauhi, and Kapukoa.
Starting direct from Apuakehau in Waikiki, where Kahekili's army was encamped and organising preparatory to a march inland to fight Kahahana, the eight Oahu warriors boldly charged a large contingent of several hundred men of the Maui troops collected at the Heiau. In a twinkling they were surrounded by overwhelming numbers, and a fight commenced to which Hawaiian legends record no parallel. Using their long spears and javelins with marvelous skill and dexterity, and killing a prodigious number of their enemies, the eight champions broke through the circle of spears that surrounded them. But Makaioulu, though a good fighter was a bad runner, on account of his short bow-legs, and he was overtaken by Kauhikoakoa, a Maui chief. Makaioulu was soon tripped up, secured, and bound by Kauhikoakoa, who, swinging the captive up on his own shoulders, started off with him for the camp to have him sacrificed as the first victim of the war. This affair took place on the bank of the Punaluu taro patch, near the cocoa-nut grove of Kuakuaaka. Makaioulu, thus hoisted on the back of his captor, caught sight of his friend Pupuka, and called out to him to throw his spear straight at the navel of his stomach. In hopes of shortening the present and prospective tortures of his friend, and knowing well what his fate would be if brought alive into the enemy's camp, Pupuka did as he was bidden, and with an unerring aim. But Makaioulu, seeing the spear coming, threw himself with a violent effort on one side, and the spear went through the back of Kauhikoakoa. Seeing their leader fall, the Maui soldiers desisted from farther pursuit, and the eight champions escaped.
In the beginning of 1783 (some say January) Kahekili divided his forces in three columns, marched from Waikiki by Puowaina, Pauoa and Kapena, and gave battle to Kahahana near the small stream of Kaheiki. Kahahana's army was thoroughly routed, and he and his wife Kekua-poi-ula fled to mountains. In this battle Kauwahine, the wife of Kahekili, fought valiantly at his side. Oahu and Molokai now became the conquest of Kahekili.
Death
For upwards of two years Kahahana and his wife and his friend Alapai wandered over the mountains of Oahu, secretly aided, fed, and clothed by the country people, who commiserated the misfortunes of their late king. Finally, weary of such a life, and hearing that Kekuamanoha, the uterine brother of his wife Kekuapoi-ula, was residing at Waikele in Ewa, he sent her to negotiate with her brother for their safety. Dissembling his real intentions, Kekuamanoha received his sister kindly and spoke her fairly, but having found out the hiding-place of Kahahana, he sent messengers to Kahekili at Waikiki informing him of the fact. Kahekili immediately returned peremptory orders to slay Kahahana and Alapai, and he sent a double canoe down to Ewa to bring their corpses up to Waikiki. This order was faithfully executed by Kekuamanoha; and it is said that the mournful chant which still exists in the Hawaiian anthology of a bygone age under the name of "Kahahana" was composed and chanted by his widow as the canoe was disappearing with her husband's corpse down the Ewa lagoon on its way to Waikiki.He died in 1783, with which closed the autonomy of the island of Oahu. What followed was the Waipio Conspiracy, which ended in the extermination of the entire Oahuan nobility.