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Ke Kaua a Ke Pani Wai i 'Iao Battle of the Dammed Waters at 'Iao Valley This article expands a cursory description of this battle in The Love Remains, with added attention to military strategy and how Isaac Davis and John Young earned the right to be called Ali'i. My deep gratitude goes to Terry Wallace, author, lecturer, and authority on Isaac Davis, and to Kale Davis' descendants, the Keko'olani family, who have preserved the sacred inoa ali'i of Isaac Davis and John Young. From three primary historical accounts it is possible to reconstruct the flow of Kamehameha's milestone campaign to unite all the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. Adding a military perspective allows for an interpretive retelling of this important battle , and a new perspective on converging events that created Kamehameha's advantage and led to his victory. Guns and Ammunition In 1787 Ka'eo, Mo'i of Kaua'i, sent his cousin Ka'iana to Canton China on The Nootka, a British fur trading ship commanded by Captain Meares. Over a year later Ka'iana returned, to Kaua'i but Ka'eo did not welcome him home as expected. Instead of working through the misunderstanding, Ka'iana sailed on to Kealakekua, Hawai'i, where he was warmly received by Kamehameha. Ka'iana marked the homecoming with a handsome gift for Kamehameha, a cache of muskets and ammunition from Canton. Fall-out from the Olowalu Massacre For most of 1789 Simon Metcalf, Captain of the British Brigantine, Eleanor, had been on a trading circuit, accompanied by a small sloop, Fair American, commanded by his son, Thomas Metcalf. The two vessels were to rendezvous at Kealakekua Hawai'i, after the Eleanor finished up some trading at Honua'ula, near Makena, Maui. Hawai'i has no metal ore resources, so iron scraps were in great demand for use as fishhooks and cutting tools, and iron not gained through barter sometimes became the focus of thieves. Late one night, a Maui chief and his men decided to take the Eleanor's longboat, and break it down for it's iron nails and fittings. Unfortunately, when the longboat watchman awoke and cried out, the thieves tried to silence him; in the scuffle he was killed. Next morning, Captain Metcalf was incensed by the theft of his boat and sailor. After firing canon on Honua'ula villages, he apprehended several Hawaiians, who succumbed to the whip and revealed that the culprits came from Olowalu. Metcalf immediately set sail for Olowalu, but obviously news of the incident preceded him, and Kalolapupuka o Honokawailani, ruling Ali'i Nui Wahine of Olowalu, declared a “Kapu of the Burned Grass”, forbidding canoes to leave land for three days. She hoped that stopping trade for three days would buy time to peaceably resolve the unfortunate situation. Simon Metcalf offered a reward for the return of his boat and sailor. Unfortunately, the thieves had already broken up the longboat, and treated the poor sailor's body to a proper Hawaiian burial, by cleaning his bones, and securing then snugly in a woven sennet basket. With much humility and remorse, a messenger from the Olowalu community brought the basket to Metcalf, who, having little sensitivity for cultural norms, reacted with horror and outrage. When the messenger innocently inquired about the reward, Metcalf answered with cool resolve, “You shall have it.” At the end of the kapu, Ali'i Wahine Kalola could do no more to protect her people, and trading canoes from the entire west coast of Maui, from Ka'anapali to Honua'ula, fought for position under the gunwales of the Eleanor. Metcalf instructed his crew to drop ballast stones on the canoes that attempted to cut around to the south side of the ship, thereby keeping all the canoes between the Eleanor and the shore. At his command, the north canon ports opened, and all guns pounded the huddled trading canoes with shrapnel. Over one hundred innocent people were killed outright, and twice as many were injured. Mourners pulled their dead and dying family members from blood red shallow seas off Hekili Point while hundreds of wounded lay bleeding on Olowalu's shore. The Fruit of Revenge Olowalu was not Simon Metcalf's first conflict in Hawai'i. At Hawai'i island, when Kealakekua's Chief, Kame'eiamoku was on board the Eleanor, Metcalf took insult and whipped the royal with the end of a rope. The dignified Kame'eiamoku did not retaliate then, but vowed to kill the next white man he saw. Justice was swift, for the next white men to sail into Kame'eiamoku's bay were Simon Metcalf's son Thomas and his five-man crew of the sloop Fair American, on schedule to rendezvous with Metcalf and the Eleanor, still anchored at Olowalu. When Chief Kame'eiamoku spotted Fair American, he, his relatives, and retainers paddled out to the sloop, as if to trade. After boarding Fair American, they attacked suddenly, and killed all crew but First Mate Isaac Davis, a brawny strong swimmer who clung tenaciously to the outrigger of a canoe, under a heavy thrashing by several canoe paddles. His cries for mercy found ears, and Kame'eiamoku relented. He took the battered Davis prisoner, marched him through Kealakekua, and presented him to King Kamehameha. The wise high chief immediately sized up this situation's potential: returning Davis invited certain retaliation by Simon Metcalf, but retaining Davis gave Kamehameha the firearms expert he now needed. Instead of congratulating Kame'eiamoku, the King admonished him for murdering the sailors, took Davis into his own care, ordered Fair American hauled inland, and declared a kapu of silence. By the time Metcalf senior sailed into Kealakekua, no trace of Fair American remained, nor any evidence or any Hawaiians, for that matter. The only persons on shore were some former American sailors, who assured Metcalf there were no Hawaiians in the area. Metcalf's Bos'un, John Young, went ashore with two sailors to investigate the unusual lack of activity at Kealakekua, and when he ventured inland alone, Kamehameha's men detained him, lest news of the ambush and murders reach Captain Metcalf. The rest of the search party shoved off without Young, and for three days Simon Metcalf anchored off Kealakekua firing signal shots and flares, hoping for Young's return; but he dared not send more of his crew ashore to fetch Young. Finally Metcalf sailed away without his trusted Bos'un; never knowing the terrible fate of his son. Kamehameha, the supreme strategist, dodged Metcalf's anger, and gained two experienced sailors to train his warriors in firearms and artillery. Accidental Advisors The two men Kamehameha aimed to groom into “advisors” could not have been more opposite in temperament or physique. John Young was a slight man of Scottish descent, whose early life in Liverpool, England was spent working the docks and learning to be a harbor pilot on the Mersey. At 42, he thought himself too old to start a new life in Hawai'i, but this introverted cautious man would become Kamehameha's foreign trade advisor and Governor of Hawai'i island. Thirty-year old Isaac Davis was a robust Welshman from Milford Haven, whose outgoing hearty wit and love of music endeared him to all he met. His tall muscular frame made him look the leader, even though his personality was easy going. Isaac never turned down a good challenge, or a chance to help others. His honesty later led him to become Kamehameha's Governor of O'ahu. Kamehameha put the two haole men to the test; he made them wear the malo, learn Hawaiian language, and train as koa warriors. John Young later admitted his great fright, when he was detained by tall muscular warriors, whose intentions he could only guess because he could not understand what the were saying. With time, it became clear that he and Isaac were not in danger, so long as they met Kamehameha's goals. After one attempted escape, the two British sailors submitted themselves to a new authority and accepted this new life Kamehameha offered. No More Raids—Invasion! For more than a century, Hawai'i island chiefs had been feuding in a civil war. Kamehameha ruled Kona, Keawe ruled the Kohala district, and Keoua ruled Hilo. In addition to Hawai'i's in-fighting, control of Hana on East Maui regularly passed back and forth between Hawai'i and Maui. Nevertheless, the majority of these contests for Hana could be described only as skirmishes and raids, involving just tens of canoes. What Kamehameha planned for the summer 1790 was not a skirmish, but a full invasion of Maui, now under the rule of elder King Kahekili and his son, Kalanikupule. The powerful Kahekili also ruled O'ahu. To conquer Maui, Kamehameha needed a large army, so he enlisted the help of his Hawai'i cohorts, Keawe and Keoua; Keawe complied by sending warriors, but Keoua refused. Insulted but undaunted, Kamehameha assembled some 18,000 warriors and chiefs in a huge flotilla of more than 600 canoes, and set sail from Kohala, Hawai'i to Hamoa Maui, a point just south of Hana Bay. Hana people surrendered without a fight, but instead of pillage, Kamehameha, offered them mercy. He explained to the Hana chiefs that he wanted to retrieve the 'Olopu Adz, a sacred stone icon stolen from its shrine in Hilo. Immediately the Hana people told him that indeed, a Maui Chief in Makawao had the 'Olopu Adz. The Hana chiefs dispatched Ka'awela, a famed Maui runner, to Kalani Hale in Wailuku, to ask King Kalanikupule for the adz's return. Kalanikupule knew right away that Kamehameha intended to fight, so he dispatched his war minister, Kamohomoho, to muster the Maui army. Immediately Kamehameha sent,a small contingent of warriors on foot, west along Maui's north shore toward Hamakua Loa, but his main flotilla prepared for the tricky voyage westward along Maui's windward coast to Wailuku. News of the marchers naturally reached Wailuku, so Kalanikupule led his Maui champions through Maui's north Ko'olau hills to meet Kamehameha at Hamakua Loa. Conventional Hawaiian warfare required one or more champions to meet in an initial contest. Some conflicts were resolved by this first confrontation. When champions of Hawai'i and Maui met at Pu'u Koa'e in Hamakua Loa, the outcome was uncertain until Kamehameha's fleet appeared at Hale Haku (Kupa'i o Kamehameha). The sheer enormity of Hawai'i's flotilla was enough to break the will of Kalanikupule's men, and Maui forces retreated to Kokomo Hill, near Makawao. 'Opolu Adz Recovered, but.... On Kokomo Hill, Maui and Hawai'i enacted a second level of war etiquette, and Kamehameha called out a Maui Champion to fight him head-to-head for the 'Opolu Adz. Chief Kapahili, who held the sacred Adz, accepted the challenge, and fought bravely, but Kamehameha slayed him. Once Kamehameha recovered the adz, Maui men retreated again. King Kalanikupule's worst fears were realized when his lookouts reported that Hawaii troops did not turn back for Hana, but began to sail west again, headed for Kahului. Kalanikupule immediately ordered His Ali'i 'Ai Kaua, Kamohomoho to regroup Maui forces to defend Wailuku. One strategic problem faced Maui troops: earlier invaders of Maui always beached their canoes on the leeward coast, from Makena to Ma'alaea. Because Wailuku may be approached from the isthmus that joins windward and leeward Maui, Kalanikupule reasoned that Kamehameha might have more canoes coming from the leeward side. Therefore, he split his forces to protect both Kahului and Ma'alaea. This created further advantage for Hawai'i. From the mountains behind Wailuku, one cannot see the north shore beyond Ku'au Point. The sight of 600 canoes rounding Ku'au, heading for the Kahului crescent must have made the blood run cold, the face tingle. When the full fleet landed, canoes could be seen on every stretch of sand from Kahului to Hopuko'a in Waihe'e. Battle Preparations To motivate his warriors, Kamehameha ordered his paddlers to unlash their outriggers and turn over their canoes on the sand. A canoe with no outrigger capsizes in the waves; an inverted wood canoe dries out on the beach and cracks. By these orders Kamehameha told his men that he did not intend to retreat under any circumstances. They already knew what lay ahead when he climbed a sandhill and shouted, “I mua e na poki'i a inu i na wai 'awa'awa; 'a'aole hoe e ho'i aku ai!”, “Forward my little brothers, and drink the bitter waters; there is no paddling away!” Hawaiian wars were fought at many levels. Ali'i commanded troops, Mo'i commanded Ali'i. But a king never won his battle without spiritual support from his gods. Kamehameha prepared to invade Maui by building and dedicating to his war god, Ku ka'ilimoku, the massive Pu'u Kohola luakini heiau in Kawaihae, Hawai'i. A feathered image of Ku ka'ilimoku, “the land snatching Ku” accompanied Kamehameha to Maui, where ceremonies and offerings to this god were celebrated daily. The First Major Battle On the plains of Waikapu, just south of Wailuku An Edward Bailey Painting 'Iao Valley and Wailuku Plains as seen from the Sandhills The night before the two great armies of Maui and Hawai'i agreed to meet at a battle field in Waikapu, a skirmish between broke out in Waihe'e and Waiehu villages to the west. Kamehameha's famous archers sent flaming firebrands into the thatched kauhale which burned to the ground. Kamehameha's troops took Waihe'e. The next day, Hawai'i and Maui troops met at Waikapu. In the purple morning a Hinamakanui rain blew in on the Kailipanio wind as Kamehameha ordered an arrow and sling stone assault to soften up the Maui troops. So dense were the missiles, and so devastating the wounds, that the stunned Maui army retreated before the main engagement. 'Iao Kalanikupule again conferred with his commanders, who finally admitted they could not repel Hawai'i's forces. They had no choice but to flee, but where? Kamehameha would definitely pursue them. The escape route through Waiehu to windward West Maui was blocked by Kamehameha's troops at Waihe'e. Fleeing down the isthmus to Lahaina was fruitless, for Lahaina was not defensible. The decision was clear: enter the impenetrable stronghold of 'Iao Valley, a steep-walled canyon with no exit to the mountains, and preserve life by waiting out the enemy. 'Iao was completely terraced with taro patches, surrounded by mud dikes planted with banana, sweet potato, wauke trees, and every kind of edible and medicinal plant--a perfect place to hold up until one's enemy runs out of provisions. The life-giving 'Iao Stream could not be diverted from behind the valley. So confident were the Maui Ali'i in their impenetrable stronghold, that they allowed their own families to climb up the West Maui slopes of Olowalu and Ka'anapali to a flat spot above 'Iao, called Manuiea, to observe the battle. Lopaka Kalanikupule could not know that a retreat to 'Iao was the keystone of Kamehameha's invasion strategy. The skirmish and northerly landing were all designed to force Maui into this blind canyon, where Kamehameha's new artillery unit could use a tiny copper gunwale cannon stripped from Fair American to their advantage. John Young had named the cannon Lopaka, (Robert in Hawaiian), after his own father, Robert Young. The billiard ball sized lead balls shot from Lopaka weighed just six pounds. When Maui troops were defending the mouth of 'Iao, establishing a wall of warriors to keep Hawai'i invaders in the lower valley, John Young and Isaac Davis were rocketing cannon balls over the lines, hitting targets 400 yards behind Maui lines, scarring valley walls and avalanching dirt and rubble on the Maui warriors. Cracks like direct lightning strikes echoed, and smoke filled the air. From the smoke cloud, red and yellow explosions from the mouth of Lopaka reigned terror. The already shaken Maui forces fought, but when pressed, they tried to scale the canyon walls on rope ladders previously set in place for escape. Kamehameha and his koa moved in, led by the feathered icon of Kuka'ililmoku on a tall standard. Young and Davis's artillery unit followed, wheeling Lopaka up the valley on a wood catafalque made by Young. Some Maui men were killed on the canyon walls by pursuing Hawai'i warriors, others were shot down by Kamehameha's new musketeers. Fighting by Hawai'i warriors was brilliant and sacrificial. They seized every advantage and scrupulously carried out their unique battle plan, to break the 'Iao stronghold forever. Thirty-seven koa actually reached the head of 'Iao, slaying every Maui man in their way: Chiefs Ha'awenui and Hewahewa with 11 Hunalele warriors Chief Puniawa with 7 Pi'ipi'i warriors Chief Kailio with 10 Malana soldiers Chief Kaionuiokalani with 4 Kipu'upu'u soldiers Maui chiefs viewing from Manuiea fled for their lives: Kalola, her daughter Kekuiapoiwa, and granddaughter Keopuolani walked across the mountain ridge to Olowalu and sailed to Moloka'i; King Kalanikupule, Chief Kamohomoho, and Chief Koalaukani fled on foot to Ka'anapali and then by canoe to O'ahu. The warriors they left behind gave their lives, their bodies backed up the waters of 'Iao, and the stream ran red with their blood. This devastation would be repeated on O'ahu. War always takes a deep toll. For Kamehameha, these two slaughters were enough to solidify his rule over all the islands, and in his twenty four-year reign, there was never a revolt. His kingdom is remembered as a time of peace Military Strategic Considerations The military prowess of Kamehameha has been discussed before. However, the added interpretation from author and lecturer Terry Wallace, authority on Ali'i Isaac Davis, and Kamehameha's military adventures lends importance to some details of Kamakau's account of Ke Pani Wai that might otherwise seem trivial. Mr. Wallace analyzes each historic battle under the bright light of the unifying principle of “Inherent Military Probability.”
influence the operation. Given equal fighting forces, and equal weaponry, careful planning to bring all factors to your advantage will increase probability of victory.” Wallace has studied how factors of topography, land use, weather, seasonal changes, tides, timing, size of force, training, weaponry, communications, strategies, and tactics increased the probability of Kamehameha's victory. Topography Iao Valley was a perfect stronghold for Maui's defending army, with ample water and food supply. The ascending valley floor gave Maui defenders a distinct advantage. As the valley narrowed and soldiers were literally shoulder-to- shoulder, fighting was difficult. Only the front lines would have had any effect at all. Therefore, Maui's formation of an impenetrable “wall” of soldiers and battlements was critical to creating a stand-off. Kamehameha used firearms to penetrate Maui's front line, and reek devastation behind them. Once he did this, Maui's uphill advantage was neutralized, and they became prisoners in their own trap. Land Use 'Iao valley floor, and the Wailuku plains from Kahului to Waiehu were terraced with an estimated 5,000 wet land taro patches, so an attacking army had to fight on the narrow lo'i banks or inside the muddy lo'i themselves. The cultural respect for kalo alone would deter fighting in such a landscape. Except for one valley path, and a single steam bed, there were no, rapid access routes for a large assault. Land use favored Maui troops. On the other hand, if Kamehameha somehow prevailed, the Maui forces had no escape route. Weather One account mentions light rain the morning of the Waikapu encounter. It is possible that rain would favor stone slingers and archers more than those who were trying to spot and defend themselves from oncoming sky-born stones and darts. On trade wind days, 'Iao Valley is clear in the morning, but clouds up after midday. Clouds and rain would not impede a battle, but flash flooding from uphill showers, and obscuring fog certainly would. Both Kamehameha and Kalanikupule probably wanted to begin this battle in the morning. Strong winds and currents could have prevented Hawai'i forces from reaching Hana, or from sailing across the north shore to Kahului. As in football, poor weather usually hurts the “away” army more. The favorable weather nullified Kamehameha's disadvantage. Seasonal Changes Kepani Wai was undertaken in the month of Welo, in Kau or summer. The invasion had to be accomplished before the start of Makahiki season, when war was kapu. Calm seas of summer made the unusual sea advance across Maui's windward coast, more manageable. Tide High tide is the best time to pass heavy war canoes over reef systems. Kepaniwai occurred twenty years before the huge double hulled Pelelu canoes were constructed, and the largest canoes in 1790 held 30 just warriors; but tide was still a consideration. Coming or leaving tide also changes the direction of inshore currents that facilitate paddling and landing. Someone with a deep knowledge of this coastline could easily figure out the best time of day to land at Kahului, and how long it takes to paddle the north shore with a heavily loaded canoe. Both Kamehmeha and his brother Keali'imaika'i spent considerable time on Maui. Timing The exact date of this invasion is not known. Timing of skirmishes would have been dictated by cultural habits. Opposing armies often met and agreed to battle grounds and times in very formal negotiations. The unexpected skirmish at Waihe'e may have been accidental; or, Kamehameha may have initiated this skirmish to close Kalanikupule's escape route to windward West Maui. Size of Force and Training It is generally accepted that Kamehameha's forces outnumbered Maui forces. While both sides were well-trained, Hawaiian historians Kamakau and Desha point out the greater discipline and resolve of Hawaii warriors. Weaponry Traditional weapons were bow and arrow, spear, dagger, sling stone, club, leimano (flat wood clubs edged with razor sharp shark teeth), and ropes for tripping and strangulation. Special Lua fighting units were composed of men and women trained in bone-breaking hand-to-hand martial arts. Guns of the day were simple single-fire pistols and muskets. Cook and American traders did not trade guns. While it is not known if in 1790 there were any other guns in Hawaii besides the Canton guns traded by Ka'iana, there are no reports of guns used in battle before Kepaniwai. The cannon called “Lopaka”was a small “6 pounder”, shooting lead balls about 2 ½ inches in diameter for a distance of 400 yards. One battle unit never before seen in Hawaii were "artillery" warriors who hauled the hand made catafalque up 'Iao valley. Ke Pani Wai was the first time wheels were used in battle in Hawai'i. While Lopaka was wheeled forward, two warriors carried gunners Young and Davis to the next firing zone. In 'Iao valley, near Pihana Heiau was a pa koa, a training ground for warriors, which was probably a prime target of conquest for Kamehameha. Taking these two sites instilled fear and despair in Maui warriors. Terraces at these locations would have provided dry, level ground from which to fire Lopaka up the valley. And loss of these previously unchallenged sites would have instilled fear and despair in Maui warriors. Communications Customary oral communications were passed among warriors, and corporate commands were shouted or signaled to regiments. Hawaiians were partial to kuhi or hand signals, which could not be muted or carried to unauthorized ears by pesky winds or mountain echoes. Previously assigned checkpoints were identified by land marks in the day, and by torches, fires, or firebrands by night. For this invasion, Hawai'i troops created a secret password, by which they might separate friend and foe. When confronting an unknown warrior they shouted “No Moa!”, which was probably a Hawaiian pronunciation of “No More!”, a phrase the British sailors understood, but Maui warriors would consider gibberish. This code phrase saved many Hawaiian lives. Strategies and Tactics Winning the Support of Commoners Kamehameha was a brilliant commander, who had intimate knowledge of Maui from time spent here in their youth. Maui people named his brother Keali'imaika'i (the good chief) because he did not punish them after a righteous revolt. Kamehameha also mercifully spared Hana at the start of his invasion, and wisely publicized his spiritual objectives, with which the commoners could sympathize. Surprise Drawing Kalanikupule to the Ko'olau with a small land force was a surprise tactic, as was landing at Kahului. Kamehameha used “shock and awe” by bringing a massive force into Kahului form Hana. He reserved use of his cannon and muskets until Maui retreated into the stronghold, reasoning that guns would be most effective in a contained space, where noise and landslides caused by cannon balls would break the enemy's spirit. No Exit The Ala loa foot road circumventing Maui, which passes from Wailuku to Waihee, would have been a good retreat route for Kalanikupule and his troops. Therefore, it is probable that the skirmishes in Waihe'e and Waiehu were initiated by Kamehameha so he could retaliate, burn the villages and station his troops there. After he took Waikapu, and held Waihe'e, Kalanikupule had no choice but to enter 'Iao. New Technology Some recent historians discount the role Lopaka and musketry played in this battle. But to this point, blind valleys like 'Iao and Nu'uanu had never been taken. Therefore, Kalanikupule had good reason to believe that he could establish a stand-off at 'Iao. Again, if Kalanikupule knew that 'Iao would be a bloodbath, why did he not surrender? If firearms were not a deciding factor, why did Kamehameha close all the doors of escape and leave Maui no option but to enter 'Iao? At the very least, Kamehameha knew firearms would instill fear and penetrate the front lines. I believe he fully understood the potential of firepower. The Aftermath at Moloka'i, Hawai'i, and Nu'uanu Immediately after Kepaniwai Kamehameha did not return to Hawai'i, but sailed to Moloka'i. Moloka'i was independent in early prehistory, but in the 15th and 16th centuries it came under the rule of competing Maui and Hawaii Kings, usually without resistance from Hana people. In many native war accounts. the victor of a battle between Maui or O'ahu later sails to Moloka'i to pay his respects to Moloka'i Chiefs. One reason for this homage was that Moloka'i was the bread basket of the ali'i, boasting 16 fishponds, an adz quarry, huge salt deposits, and much open arable land. If the Moloka'i chiefs were dealt with fairly, there would be no need to fight for their island, so smart victors went to Moloka'i and established their rule with ceremony instead of war. The other reason for Kamehameha's visit to Moloka'i was his desire to secure a high-born wife. His niece Keopuolani was the highest Pi'o Ali'i Wahine of her time. Kalola, Keopuolani's mother, was dying, so she asked Kamehameha to allow her daughter Keopuolani to stay with her. Kamehameha agreed, but rather than let Keopulolani out of his sight, and he also stayed until the high chiefess Kalola died. After a period of mourning, he took 12-yr old Keopuolani back to Kailua to be his most sacred kapu wife. After returning to Hawai'i and putting down further revolt by Keoua in Hilo, Kamehameha secured Maui and invaded O'ahu in 1795. In O'ahu, more serendipitous events added to his advantage. At Nu'uanu, a stronghold with very similar topography to 'Iao, he repeated the winning strategy of 'Iao with an even bloodier victory. The devastation of Nu'uanu would deter future revolt and secure Kamehameha's rule over all but Kaua'i. Following this campaign, John Young and Isaac Davis were installed as Ali'i Kapu in a special initiation ceremony in Kawaihae, where John Young was named 'Olohana-i-kaiwi-i-nohea, "Mutiny on behalf of the handsome ancestors" and Isaac Davis, Hu'eu-o-kaolani-pohai-ali'i, "Witty one, heavenly firebrand of the inner circle of chiefs." Many chiefs on Maui and O'ahu were killed or deposed and replaced by Kamehameha's Hawai'i chiefs and loyal warriors, among whom were Davis and Young. In old age John Young remarked that because of Kamehameha's generosity, he lived a life never attainable in his motherland. References: Pukui, Mary Kawena and Elbert, Samuel H. Hawaiian Dictionary, rev. ed. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press, 1986 Kamakau, S. M. Ruling Chiefs of Hawai‘i, revised edition. Honolulu: Kamehameha Schools Press, 1992 Cahill, Emmett. The Life and Times of John Young, Confidant and Advisor to Kamehameha the Great. Honolulu: Island Heritage Publishing, 1999 Desha, S. L., translated by Francis N. Frazier. Kamehameha and His Warrior Kekühaupio. Honolulu: Kamehameha Schools Press, 2000 Fornander, Abraham. Ancient History of the Hawaiian People to the Times of Kamehameha I. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing, 1996 Kane, Herb. Ancient Hawai‘i. Kailua: Kawainui Press, 1998 Personal Communications. Terry Wallace, Kailua-Kona Genealogy of Charles S. Peleioholani. http://www.kekoolani.org. extracted and created by Dean Pua Keko'olani, translated by Dawn Aloha Keko'olani-Simmons. accessed 2005. If you choose to copy this story for educational purposes, please copy the entire piece, so that references, facts, and ideas are shared in context. Mahalo i kou lokomaika'i © 2008 "Kepaniwai" by Katherine Kama'ema'e Smith Within the Sound of Kapalua Bay Ezine |


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The Ahupua'a of Honokahua |
Fallen Warriors at Honokahua |




