Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 2, 1 February 2011 — Ke ahi lele o Kamaile -- soaring fire of Kamaile [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ke ahi lele o Kamaile -- soaring fire of Kamaile

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. PH„ R.D.

Did you know that early Hawaiians had fireworks? In old Hawai'i, a plaee on Kaua'i's Nāpali Coast was known for spectacular fireworks displays. This northwest coastline is still rugged and inaccessible, but it is a breathtaking sight when viewed from a ship or the air. The high mountain peaks cascade steeply into the Paeihe and the cliffs appear barren and unapproachable. Yet, the remote valleys of Nu'ulolo (Nu'ololo), Awa'awapuhi and Honopū onee supported thriving colonies of Hawaiians.

Early Western explorers credited Hawaiian ingenuity for creating access to Nu'ulolo and the valleys beyond. Kanaka maoli led these newcomers from the narrow shore to a elimh up a narrow ledge, under an overhanging cliff, to about 30 feet above the oeean. The next part of the elimh was up a 25-foot rope ladder, Ke-alahaka-

o-Nu'aloa, whieh hung out over the oeean from a cliff far above. Then, a series of notched steps and finger grips cut into the cliff led upward to a narrow trail to the cliff's summit. From the summit, they looked into Nu'ulolo valley and viewed land skillfully terraced and irrigated into lo'i kalo by kanaka maoli. Many

homes were situated on the rocky hillsides above the farming terraces. The next valley along the coast, Awa ' awapuhi, was more easily accessible and as fully developed as Nu'ulolo. Then, next, Honopū valley supported a larger settlement of kanaka maoli. Beyond these three valleys is Kalalau valley, the largest

and, today, the best known. Kalalau was one of the most intensively cultivated areas in the islands, with well-irrigated, broad farming terraces extending from the shoreline far back into the valley. Nu'ulolo's Kamaile cliff was the site of the unique fireworks. Natives fashioned javelins, about 20 feet

long, from hau or pāpala sticks. The bark was peeled away and the sticks were thoroughly dried in the sun. Pāpala, when dried, has a hollow core that burns more quickly than its hard outer shell. Pāpala was more difficult to find than hau so, pāpala javelins were reserved for the highest chief's use. Then, on moonless nights when the pāpala (firebrand) wind was blowing, men climbed to the summit of Kamaile with their javelins. Onee there, they built a bonfire to set one end of eaeh javelin on fire. Then, the javelins were hurled seaward from the cliff's summit. The Pāpala wind carried the blazing javelins, in artful patterns, far out into the oeean helow, with flames glowing brighter and brighter. A tale is told of a young eouple who lived in Waimea canyon, between the upland village and the seaside village helow. For generations, the two villages traded products but never established lasting family connections. Suspicions of cheating emerged, tensions increased, until the villages went to

war. Caught in between, the eouple decided to move with their newhom daughter to safety in Nu'ulolo until peaee was re-established. They bundled their infant in tapa and quietly ascended the steep trail to Kukui hill and then traveled across Kōke'e. Finally, they reached the rope ladder to Nu'ulolo. The man balanced as the rope ladder swung out over the oeean and rocks helow. He reached down for his infant daughter, and as he lifted her up, the tapa ripped. In stunned agony, the parents watched their infant fall toward the oeean helow. A rainbow formed under their child as she faded from view. The eouple clung to eaeh other in grief. Far helow, the Rainbow Goddess caught the infant and returned to her cave in Koai'e canyon. The goddess raised the child and taught her how to invoke the rains that fed the streams and crops. The girl learned to weave hats of 'alae (fern) and would float them downstream for the women who lived there. Soon she was recognized as the Rainbow Princess and the people grew to love and adore her. ■

Living Treasure of Hawai'i

Ka Wai Ola eolumnist Dr. Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes has been named a 201 1 Fiving Treasure of Hawai'i by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i. She and four others will be honored at a Feb. 5 luneheon at the Sheraton Waiklkl. Read more about Hughes' recognition in our March issue.

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