XI

KAHALAOPUNA, PRINCESS OF MANOA

_Mrs. E. M. Nakuina_


Akaaka (laughter) is a projecting spur of the mountain range at the
head of Manoa Valley, forming the ridge running back to and above
Waiakeakua, "the water of the gods." Akaaka was united in marriage
to Nalehuaakaaka, still represented by some lehua (_Metrosideros
polymorpha_) bushes on the very brow of the spur or ridge. They had
two children, twins, Kahaukani, a boy, and Kauakuahine, a girl. These
children were adopted at birth by a chief, Kolowahi, and chieftainess,
Pohakukala, who were brother and sister, and cousins of Akaaka. The
brother took charge of the boy, Kahaukani, a synonyme for the Manoa
wind; and Pohakukala the girl, Kauakuahine, meaning the famous
Manoa rain. When the children were grown up, the foster parents
determined that they should be united; and the children, having been
brought up separately and in ignorance of their relationship, made
no objections. They were accordingly married and a girl was born
to them, who was called Kahalaopuna. Thus Kolowahi and Pohakukala,
by conspiring to unite the twin brother and sister, made permanent
the union of rain and wind for which Manoa Valley is noted; and the
fruit of such a union was the most beautiful woman of her time. So
the Manoa girls, foster children of the Manoa rains and winds, have
generally been supposed to have inherited the beauty of Kahalaopuna.