Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 1, 1 January 2016 — The Gift of Prophecy [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Gift of Prophecy

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D. Many years ago, a pā for training warriors was located in Anahaki village on Moloka'i's north shore. A kind, wise and highly-respected chief governed the village and trained warriors. This chief had a gift of prophecy. And he used his gift to protect the villagers, saving them from famine, bad weather, poor fishing seasons and enemy attacks. He was also able to console them with promises of returning rain or improving hunting and fishing. His

prophecies were never wrong. A young warrior-in-training envied the chief. He wanted to be as beloved and powerful as the chief. In fact, he wanted to be the next chief. But, because the young warrior was not a family member, it would be more difficult. He pondered ways to obtain his desire. If he performed an extraordinary feat or deed . . . then, in spite of his lineage, he would be considered. He was sure this would sway the villagers. Mostly, he envied the chief 's gift of prophecy. If he could only do that, it would elineh his selection. How was the chief always correct? Deviously, the warrior watched the chief. One dark midnight, the chief left his hut and walked to the oeean. Concealed by shadows, the warrior followed. The tide was low. The chief easily descended a rocky shelf and entered a cavern beside the reef. The young war-

rior observed the chief enter, then move to a small rock shelf, piek up a shell and hold it to his ear. The chief spoke, but the warrior could not hear what was said. He saw the chief replace the shell and speak, again. Both returned home. The next day, the chief announced the village would be attacked by warriors from the east. These warriors were envious of Anahaki's fertile fishing grounds, and wanted to freely fish there. Their requests had never been denied. However, the chief had observed their reluctance to leave and resentful thanks. The warriors prepared for the attack, concealing themselves behind the village's stone wall. They prepared their spears and stones for their slings. They awaited the chief 's commands. After midnight, the lookouts detected attackers sneaking toward the village. When the enemy was close, the chief gave his command. Slings were used and onee the stones were spent, the warriors used spears. They achieved victory.

Surreptitious observation of the chief brought the warrior closer to the cavern on the chief's next visit. The chief spoke, saying, "Forgive me, for I am listening to what you say." Silence followed and the chief replaced the shell. His mahalo (thanks) was heard. The next morning, the chief revealed that an unknown villager wanted to be chief. The young warrior remained silent. Late that night, the warrior hurried to the cavern, retrieved the shell and put it to his ear. He heard nothing. He said, "Speak, that I may hear your wise sayings." A voice warned that the Anahaki spring would soon dry up and villagers should temporarily move to Pipika. The chief had no message for the village the next morning. But the young warrior grew increasingly nervous. He had to leave the village. He asked his family to move to Pipika. He revealed that the village would be without water for weeks, as spring would run dry. His grandmother gazed intently at him,

voicing her disbelief. However, his parents and siblings agreed to go. His grandmother refused. She knew the chief would warn them, if this were so. Villagers, including the chief, saw the family's preparations. The chief asked where they were going and the young warrior revealed their plan to go to live in Pipika. "Why now?" asked the chief. Then, he asked, "How will you fish?" The warrior responded that they would return to Anahaki to fish. The chief spoke sadly, "You cannot eome back. Onee you leave the village, then you are no longer weleome. If you eome back, you will be driven away." Thus, they were banished forever. The young warrior realized that his ambition and envy - and ego - had caused exile of his family. He realized that the chief not only possessed a gift of prophecy, the chief had wisdom that eame with life experience and intelligence. (This tale is one of Harriet Ne's collection.) ■

j MO'OMEHEU ^ \ CULTURE f

www.oha.org/kwo | kwo@OHA.org NATiVE HAWAiiAN » NEWS | FEATURES | EVENTS