Kaunaulu Demonstrates His Skill at He-Lua

Kauanaulu, the father of Moses Ka'aneikawahaale Keale, was a remarkable man. At the age of 75, he was straight and tall as he had been during his youth. Kauanaulu was well-known as a expert in the Hawaiian art of self-defense known as he-lua. Many stories have been told of his strength and skill, even until today, and the following is but one of many.

Kauanaulu was walking with some friends over the mountains from Kalalau to Waimea, he met a stranger coming down the path in the opposite direction near Halemanu. Kauanaulu invited the stranger to join them for a little food and conversation. Time came when Kauanaulu had to continue on over the mountains, so they parted from the stranger and started up the path. After a short while, one of Kauanaulu's friends looked back to see the stranger following. Kauanaulu, being the expert he was, did not look back-he knew this meant an attack-but instead told the friends to go on and he would follow. He started to walk a little slower so the stranger could catch up with him. As the stranger placed his hands on Kauanaulu, he threw the stranger over his shoulder, breaking his back and killing him instantly.

Even in his old age, Kauanaulu was tested by both young and old, but he retained his skill and quickness. Kauanaulu was also versed in the art of navigation. He passed on to his son Kapahe'e an exact and profound knowledge of the sea based on observations of earth movement, seasons, the stars and the peculiarities of all winds. Each of these things was important. Trips on the open ocean were set in accordance with the rising and setting of the sun. The trips to and from Tahiti were during the spring and fall trade winds.

[Moses Keale: The Navigator, p.79]

Kapahe'e Nui

Kapahe'e, a brother of Moses Kaaneikawahaale Keale and son of Kauanaulu, was known for his feats of bravery. Like his brother, Kapahe'e lived at Kalalau, Kaua'i, where his family had large land holdings. Most of their crop was taro, and it was from these taro patches that Kapahe'e would take boat loads of the crop to Ni'ihau for his relatives.

He was at home in the water, whether swimming 15 miles or handling the whale boats. he was fearless. The Sinclairs hired him as head boatman to navigate the sometimes rough channel between Kaua'i and Ni'ihau. Kapahe'e was well-versed in the art of ocean navigation; he had been taught by his father. Together they made numerous trips to Tahiti and back. He also was credited with saving many people's lives, usually from overturned whale boats during rough seas, including Valdemar "kanuka" Knudsen, whom he saved twice from the waters.

In 1893, Kapahe'e, who was now in his late sixties, boarded a steamer Wai'ale'ale bound for Honolulu and Kalaupapa, Moloka'i. It was to be his last boat trip. He was one of the lepers taken from kalalau Valley and by then, his face was badly infected with leprosy. He died and was buried on Moloka'i. Kapahe'e's sister, Lepekakakailianu, was a very tall and strong woman who has been credited with several water rescues.

Benjamin Kanahele

Reward for his heroism in the early days of the war came to Benjamin Kanahele, 56, of Niihau, last Wednesday afternoon at Fort Shafter, Oahu, when Lt. Gen. Robert C. Richardson, Jr. presented him with the Medal of Merit of the United States and the Purple Heart.

The Medal of Merit was for his heroism in killing a Japanese aviator who had landed his disabled plan[e] on Niihau, the Purple heart for the three bullet wounds he received from the flier.

The flier who had landed on Niihau after the Pearl Harbor attack had been confined by the Hawaiians, but with the connivance of two disloyal Japanese had escaped and terrorized the island until killed by Kanahele.

[The Garden Island Aug. 21, 1945 ]