Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to accompany Papa `Eha as they traveled to Kohala, Kawaihae, and to Kailua Kona to retrace the historical life of Kamehameha, The Gret. It was a learning experience for me as I too learned about the life of Kamehameha. I enjoyed hanging out with the fourth graders and getting to know them outside of academics as I joined them for free time, dinner and breakfast.
The fourth graders began their journey retracing Kamehameha’s early life on the shores of Kohala. With a prophecy that this child would unit the islands, a ruling chief named Alapa’ i ordered his warriors to kill the child in hopes of preventing this prophecy. Expecting this to happen Pai`ea, the name first given to Kamehameha, was given up to a warrior name Nae`ole. Nae`ole kept Pai`ea safe hiding here and there through out Kohala as Alapa`i and his warriors search for Pai`ea.
As a young man, Kamehameha ordered the construction of the Pu`ukohola Heiau in Kawaihae and dedicated it to the war god, Ku. The fourth graders learned about how the Hawaiians constructed this heiau and about how the heiau below Pu`ukohola Heiau, Mailekini Heiau, was once used to defend Pu`ukohola Heiau by using western weapons such as canons.
Finally, the fourth graders visited Kamakahonu, the area where The Kamehameha Hotel is in Kailua-Kona. Here is where Kamehameha spent his final years and eventually pasted away in this area. His body was prepared and burned at Kamakahonu and then hidden.
After being on this journey of Kamehameha’s life, I have so much more appreciation for the history of the Hawaiian culture, the value of these places and I am inspired to learn more about what is around me. Each and every place here has had some sort of history that we may not know about. I was so inspired and amazed at how the fourth graders knew the chants, the full names of chiefs and places. Many times I would have to ask the students how to pronounce the chiefs names and why they were important. I really enjoyed this huakai.
Thank you Kumu Kala, Kumu Silva and all the fourth graders for allowing me to be a part of this huakai and for inspiring me.
