This is the story of Haka's two sons who found themselves in very serious trouble with pursuers. The two boys started running toward Kaunupua, the Pu'uhonua, but their pursuers got in between and cut them off from the place of refuge.

The eldest boy-the fastest runner of the two- called out to his brother to head toward the mountain towards kamalu. As the pursuers were closing in on the youngsters, he called out for the elder brother to roll some boulders down on them while he ran clear. The rocks came hurtling down the side of the mountain, giving the younger brother time to catch up.

The two boys crossed the mountain to the cliffs facing Kaua'i. The younger brother was so frightened of being captured that he told the elder brother he was going to jump off this pali. The elder embraced the younger and said, "If you jump off this pali our 'aumakua, the Pueo might see you and save you, but if he does not, you will die."

The pursuers were closing in so the boy jumped! The Pueo saw the boy, caught him mid-air, and stuffed him into a crevice on the side of the mountain. But the crevice was so small that his feet stuck out. The pursuers below saw his shaking legs and began to throw rocks. Later that night, with the elder brother standing on his wings, the pueo came to wake the younger one.

All left for Keanapueo to hide until enough time passed so that they could safely return to the village. In the morning, the pursuers looked for the kicking legs and feet on the mountainside, but saw nothing so they gave up the search. A little later, the pueo took them out of the cave and returned them to the village. This is one of the stories told to Tutu Kaui by Kalua Keale in relation to the pu'uhonua heiau.

[Legends of Ni'ihau Tava , Keale 1989,p. 77. ]

BACK TO TOP