Читать книгу Secret Cave of Kamanawa - Helen Lamar Berkey - Страница 9

CHAPTER 2

GREAT CHIEF KAMANAWA

"A little more than a hundred years ago this cove was the site of a Hawaiian village. Where the Kamanawa Beach homes now stand, clusters of grass shacks nestled at the foot of tall coco palms. It was a beautiful, happy village with Kamanawa as its good and just chief In the beginning the villagers were contented with their lot. There was much to keep them busy.

"The men did the fishing. They fished from the reefs, or stood on the rocky headlands and cast their nets billowing like mushrooms far out over the sea. Sometimes at night when the tide was out they walked the reefs and fished by the light of their kukui-nut torches, their spears poised, ready to impale any unwary fish that might be attracted by the golden shafts of light.

"The men were canoe builders, too. They searched the rugged mountains for stout koa trees, and hauled the logs to the shore, where they spent weeks, sometimes months, building the sturdy outriggers. They tended their gardens of dry-land taro, patches of yams, sugar cane, bananas, and breadfruit. In their leisure time during the warm drowsy afternoons, they spent hours sharpening their javelins, or polishing shark's teeth for much-prized necklaces.

"The women of the village wove mats from lauhala and made tapa cloth from the bark of the mulberry. The hollow sound of their tapa pounders could be heard echoing up and down the valley. In the afternoons while the men polished their necklaces, or sharpened their spears, the women went swimming with the children. They bobbed up and down in the soft warm water, now and then diving like plump porpoises beneath the waves to search for the delectable green limu.

"At harvest time when the crops were bountiful the village celebrated with a sports event or makahiki. There were contests in surfing, swimming, canoe racing, wrestling, foot races, bowling with round stones, and throwing of spears and javelins. At night when the games were over there was much feasting. Roast pig, yams, bananas, fish, and breadfruit were taken from the imu, and 'awa in coconut shells passed from lip to lip. Hula drums beat out a hypnotic rhythm; involuntarily young girls, old women, and men, entranced by the music, rose to their feet and danced in the flickering light of the torches, their sharks' teeth necklaces and slapping hands making a pleasant sound in the night.

"In all the sports events, Chief Kamanawa was the best, He could swim faster and farther than anyone. He could paddle his surfboard far out beyond the reef, catch a mountainous roller and ride to shore standing upright on his board with the frosty waves spraying in front of him. He could throw the javelin farther than any of his competitors. No one dared challenge him to a foot race or a wrestling match. His strength was of the mighty.

"It was at one of these events that Kamanawa fell in love with the daughter of a chief from Molokai. This chief was not as great a chief as Kamanawa, and he was a jealous and envious man. The area in which his village was located was dry and stony, and the villagers had to dig deep to cultivate the taro. Seldom did the rain clouds drop enough moisture to enable them to raise bananas or sugar cane. Even the sea around them was hostile. Huge waves, unbroken by protecting reefs, crashed against the pali, and most of the time it was too dangerous to fish from the rocks along the shore, and the villagers often went hungry.

"The Molokai chief thought angrily of Kamanawa's village sheltered by waving palms and its white beach washed by gentle lapping waves. One day be heard that Kamanawa's village was going to have a week long celebration. There had been a bountiful harvest of taro, breadfruit, bananas, and yams. The chief from Molokai thought the time was opportune to visit Kamanawa. Perhaps during the contests he could win a few feather leis or kapas, maybe some better fishhooks, or finer nets, or even something more valuable such as a bigger and better canoe. The Molokai chief was crafty. He knew that Kamanawa's lesser chiefs liked to gamble and although he could not hope to win a foot race, nor could he expect to excel in throwing the javelin a great distance, he considered himself lucky when it came to wagering on these events. If he were as lucky as he anticipated, he would return to Molokai with his canoe full of easy prizes.

"This Molokai chief was blessed with a daughter of rare charm and beauty. She was slender and as graceful as the bamboo. Her silken black hair fell in ripples to her waist; her dark eyes were tender and soft. When she danced her hands moved like flower petals in the wind, and her slim feet moved with the rhythm of poetry. She was the Molokai chief's most precious possession. No one in the Islands, from Kauai to Hawaii, not even the king himself, could boast of a child of such unusual beauty. He decided he would take her with him.

"He made ready for the long rough voyage through the Molokai channel. Into large gourds he packed their personal belongings and change of clothing. These, with the collection of fishhooks and heaps of fine nets he needed for bartering, he stowed away in the canoe. For food and drink during the arduous hours of paddling, he had coconut shells filled with poi, baked aku wrapped in cool ti leaves, and half a dozen young green coconuts to quench their thirst when the sun got high in the sky. At sunset he put his daughter, Naheina, in the bow of the canoe and pointed the craft in the direction of a large star that hung over the Koolau Mountains of Oahu. Then he paddled expertly over the waves of the strong Molokai surf into the open sea to the island of Oahu and Chief Kamanawa's makahiki.

"The Molokai chief's canoe was swift and rode lightly as a bird in flight over the sea. The wind was fair and blew behind him. This canoe he held second in value of all his possessions, his daughter being the first. He believed his canoe to be endowed with life. In building it he had faithfully followed all the ancient rituals. He had taken a kahuna, or priest, with him when he went into the forest to hunt for a suitable tree. They chose at last a beautiful tall koa, and they spent one entire day just watching the tree, waiting patiently to see if any birds found termites hidden beneath the bark. If by chance, the birds had tapped the tree, then the tree would be pronounced infected and unsuitable. But all that day as they watched, no bird lighted upon the trunk of the tree or tapped its bark.

"That night they said prayers to the forest god and made offerings of pig, coconut, red fish, and 'awa. At dawn the kahuna arose and spoke aloud to the canoe god.

"'Strike!' he cried, 'Strike with the adz and hollow it. Grant us a canoe!'

"After the tree was felled they cut away all its branches and shaped it in the manner of a canoe. Then it was hauled down the rough slope of the mountain to be hollowed out, painted, and mounted with an outrigger. This took many weeks, but when it was done it was a thing of beauty to behold. The prow was sharp and pointed, made to cut clean through the surf. Its hull was scraped smooth by rubbing it with sand and coconut husks, and stained black with banana juice and soot. The Molokai chief was sure Kamanawa's canoe could not be any finer.

"The villagers first sighted the Molokai chief's canoe when it was beyond the reef. They ran to tell Kamanawa that a strange canoe was approaching. Kamanawa stood on the beach, shading his eyes against the late afternoon sun, and watched the arrival of the slim craft riding the combers that would carry it safely to Oahu's shore.

"'We have visitors!' he cried. 'Make ready the imus and tell the women to bring leis.'

"Then the canoe climbed the high waves that crashed against the reef and slid safely into the shallow water and glided to the beach. Kamanawa and his followers waded out into the water to greet the chief and his daughter, and to help beach the outrigger on the coral sand. Kamanawa greeted the Molokai chief cordially, and the women of the village brought leis and placed them about the necks of the chief and his beautiful daughter.

"'Welcome to our village,' said Kamanawa. 'Our house is your house.' He ordered refreshments for his guests and showed them to comfortable quarters.

"The next night a great feast was held in honor of the Molokai chief and his daughter. Lauhala mats were spread upon the ground and gaily decorated with bright flowers, coconuts, and fragrant maile vines. The Molokai chief bad never seen such a lavish display of food: great wooden platters of roast pig, fish baked in ti leaves, baked yams, breadfruit, bananas, coconut shells filled with poi, and gourds brimming with 'awa that would relax and loosen the tongue. At the sight of such abundant food the Molokai chief's heart burned with envy and black jealousy.

"For entertainment the hula drums beat out a hypnotic rhythm. Warm and flushed with excitement, many rose to their feet to dance in the flickering light of the kukui-nut torches, while those still seated slapped their bare thighs and chanted wildly.

"Suddenly someone cried out, 'Let the beautiful Naheina of Molokai dance for us!'

"Everyone cheered and clapped bis hands, and as the lovely Naheina rose to her feet, the Molokai chief glowed with pride. This was when the great Chief Kamanawa fell in love with her.

"As Naheina danced she chanted about the rugged pali of Molokai and the thundering surf on its rocky shores. Then she chanted softly of the white clouds that constantly crowned the ridges of the Koolau Mountains of Oahu, and how her heart yearned to see the shores of this fair Island and the beautiful village of Kamanawa. Everyone was delighted with her graceful compliments and most delighted of all was Chief Kamanawa. He decided that before long he would ask Naheina to remain on Oahu as his wife, and not return to Molokai with her father.

"As the Molokai chief looked about him and saw the apparent prosperity of the village, he made up his mind that when he returned to Molokai his canoe would be laden with as much as it could carry of the fine trophies he would win. Eagerly he looked forward to the contests. If he could not participate, he could at least wager.

"The athletic contests started early the next day. There were to be five events. The Molokai chief followed the villagers to a sandy arena where the first event was to take place. It was a wrestling match between two lesser chiefs with Kamanawa as the referee. Kamanawa did not participate in any of the contests because he was the ruling chief. The Molokai chief's eyes were bright and eager and darted from one contestant to the other, noting their bronze-oiled bodies and play of muscles that rippled beneath their skin. They were powerful young warriors. The Molokai chief cheered louder than any of the villagers when the defeated wrestler hit the earth. This angered the wrestler, and getting to his feet he rushed over to the Molokai chief and challenged him.

"'Do you think you can throw me?' he cried angrily. 'I have calabashes of the finest and softest tapas on the island. I have an assortment of necklaces and feather leis. They are yours if you can throw me in three rounds.'

"The Molokai chief was taken aback by this direct assault. He was a proud and vain man and he knew the rest of the men around him were waiting to see what he would do. He was afraid to back down. He drew himself up proudly and said, 'I have fishhooks and nets made of the bones of an enemy, and two spears so swift they can catch an eel before it hides in the rocks.'

"'That's a fair bargain,' said the lesser chief. 'So be it.'

"The crowd shouted with excitement as the Molokai chief stepped boldly into the ring. He was a tall man, burned brown by the sea, sun, and wind. The two men looked evenly matched, although the Molokai chief was not a wrestler by profession. He did not often take an active part in events of endurance and skill.

"Now, Chief Kamanawa was not in favor of the match. He knew how vain and proud the Molokai chief was, and that if he lost the bout he would not only lose his possessions, but he would be humiliated before all by a chief of much lesser rank. He tried to dissuade the Molokai chief by tactfully suggesting he wager his possessions on another wrestling contest instead of participating himself.

"The Molokai chief's lips curled.

"'Do you think I am afraid?' he said arrogantly.

"The villagers gathered closely around the ring talking and gesticulating, and placing their bets on the one they thought would be the winner. Although the two men appeared to be of equal strength, the Oahu chief was an experienced wrestler and had been trained in the art of bone-crushing. Also, he was able to carefully observe the opponent from Molokai and calmly evaluate him. The Molokai chief was so filled with anger and inner apprehension that he hardly waited for the referee's signal to begin, but rushed furiously and recklessly toward the Oahu chief, hoping to upset him by surprise. But the Oahu chief was deceptive and the Molokai chief suddenly felt himself gripped in a vise; the Oahu chief's arms wrapped tightly around his chest and his legs closed in like pinchers about his thighs. The Molokai chief panicked; the Oahu chief's arms grew tighter and tighter about his chest until he could scarcely breathe, and he suddenly realized he was in the grip of a bone-crusher, who, if he willed, could crack every bone in his body. His terror was so great he resisted no longer, and allowed himself to be thrown to the ground. The crowd jeered. Furious with himself and humiliated by his ignominious defeat, he picked up his calabash of fine nets and fishhooks made from the bones of an enemy, and threw them at the feet of his opponent and stalked angrily away.

"The next event was to be the javelin-throwing contest. Chief Kamanawa called the young wrestler to his side. 'You are to challenge our visitor again,' he said, 'and give him another chance, but this time you are to allow him to win and regain face. Then you must return all his possessions to him. I want no trouble with the people of Molokai.'

The young chief remonstrated with Kamanawa.

"'But he is such an arrogant, overbearing man. He deserved to lose his possessions. Besides, he is a coward. I could have easily broken every bone in his body, but I didn't.'

"'Be that as it may, I want you to do as I say,' Chief Kamanawa commanded. 'I want no trouble.'

"The Molokai chief reluctantly agreed to enter the javelin-throwing contest. If he were fortunate enough to win, he would not only get back his own calabash of belongings, but the sting of his wrestling defeat would be assuaged, and the honor of the island of Molokai restored.

"The two men, both hostile to each other, took their positions on the green. The visiting chief from Molokai threw first. Twisting his body and balancing on one foot, he leaned far back and with all his might sent his spear whirring with a singing speed through the air. The crowd cheered with restrained admiration and waited tensely for the Oahu chief to throw. They expected this fine athlete to exceed the Molokai chief's thrust by a substantial gain, but to their dumbfounded amazement the Oahu chief's spear fell far short of the Molokai chief's mark.

"One of the lesser chiefs, a mischievous fellow, suspected his friend had not used bis full strength in the thrust and for some reason had forfeited the game. Little did he know, or care, of Kamanawa's wish to avoid trouble or discord while the Molokai chief was a guest in the village. Chief Maunalii disliked the Molokai chief intensely and strongly suspected his friend had deliberately forfeited the game.

"'I'll fix that fellow,' Maunalii said. 'I'll put him where he belongs! I'll challenge him to a game of bowling.'

"Maunalii was a skilled bowler, who had spent many hours rolling the large round stones great distances along the stretch of green. Without consulting Kamanawa, he went over to the Molokai chief who was gloating over all the prizes he had won. Besides getting back his own fine throw-net, his bone fishhooks, and his spears, he also had won a heap of soft hand-blocked tapa in delicate shades of pink and yellow, as well as his opponent's large calabash of personal treasures. Things were going just as he planned and his canoe would not be empty when he returned to Molokai.

"'How would you like to bowl a game with me?' Maunalii asked, coming up to the Molokai chief. 'I'm willing to put up my feather cape, a conch shell from Tahiti that you can hear all over the valley when you blow it, my finest adz, and also a feather god I saved when they destroyed our heiau.'

"The Molokai chief looked down at his trophies again. 'I don't know,' he said doubtfully. Then he looked at Maunalii, a greedy light showing in his eye, 'You'd put up the feather cape, the Tahiti conch shell, the adz, and even the feather god?'

"'That is what I said,' Maunalii replied, 'but you would have to put up your canoe.' He pointed to the trophies lying at the Molokai chief's feet. 'That kind of stuff every commoner has. But only Kamanawa has a feather cape better than mine. My cape is worthy of a high chief.'

"'But my canoe!' protested the chief from Molokai. 'My canoe is not like any canoe. It took four months to build. I went into the forest myself and chose the finest specimen of koa tree. I made sacrifices to the god of the mountain. The tree was blessed by a priest. I couldn't put up my canoe!'

"'You are afraid to risk your possessions in a game with me? I did not think the chief of Molokai would be afraid!'

"Angered though he was by the taunting words of Maunalii, he hesitated. He did not want to lose his trophies, and suppose he lost his canoe to Maunalii! How could he return to Molokai, not only empty handed, but in another's canoe? He would lose the respect of his people. On the other hand, if he won the bowling contest, he would return as a victor, the spoils heaped in the prow of the canoe. His people would see their chief wearing a royal cloak over his shoulders and a feather god mounted on the prow of his fine canoe.

"The Molokai chief wavered. 'Let me see the feather cape and the feather god.'

"'Of course, Maunalii agreed, 'come with me to my hale and you may see for yourself. Never have I seen a cape to equal mine in its beauty. Chief Kamanawa's cape may be larger but it is not as beautiful.'