The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-07-14

After the grass houses We're built for
permanent shelter, Ko}1oa, or "Ke-alii-
al Kanaka, caused a great hole to be
made. This was the irnu or oven in
which the bodies of animals and men
We're to be baked. A fire was built in
the bottom of the hole. Stones were
placed upon the burning wood. When
these stones We're thoroughly heated
and the fire had died away, the bodies
We're wrapped in fragrant and spicy
leaves, laid upon the stones. and COW
cred so that the heat might not es-
cape. Then water was carefully pour
ed down so that clouds of steam might
make tender the flesh roasting over the
heated stones. This was the ordinary
Hawaiian method of preparing fish or
chickens or animals for their numerous
feasts. 1t was the regular festival prep
aration required by the cannibals.
After a time Kokoa and his compan-
ions took huge outcropping block of
Lava, and smoothed away the top, maxi
ing a hollow ipukai, or table dish, or,
more literally, "a gravy DISH upon
which their CHASTITY repasts We're serv-
ed. This stone table was finally round
ed and it's sides ornamented by rudely
carved figures. This stone was five or
six feet in circumference. Not far from
it the chiefs grass house was built and
the ground prepared for the taro which
should be their daily food.
Sometimes members of the little band
carried birds which had been cunningly
shared and exchanged them for fish
and chickens with families living on
the sea shore. Sometimes the entire
band would make an attack upon a
lonely household and carry every mem
Der of it to the mountain lair, that day
after day they might be provided with
such food as would satisfy the shame
less craving of their gross appetites.
Sometimes the cannibal band met
strong resistance, and with their cap
tives carried back the dead bodies of
their friends. Sometimes sickness and
death crossed the narrow ridge and
struck down some of Chief Maneater's
followers, until at last Ke-alii-ai Ka-
naka stood alone by the ipukai.
Alone he watched for hunters and for
those who came searching for rare
plants or woods or birds. Alone he
guarded his retreat on the table land.
He did many daring deeds and terrified
the people by his fabulous strength and
courage.
One day he captured and killed a
victim whom he carried through the
forest to Halemanu.
A brother of this victim discovered
and followed him to the path along the
ridge. He recognized the chief who
had been driven long before from Wal
aIua. He knew the reputation for box
ing and wrestling which belonged to
his former leader. He went back to
his village. For a year Hoahanau gave
himself up to athletic training. He
sousn the strong men-the boxers and
wrestlers of Waialua. He visited other
parts of the island until he found no
one who could stand before him. Then,
alone, he sought the hiding place of
Chief Maneater.' He covered his
1.-THE and sinewy body with oil that his
enemy might not easily grasp an arm
or limb. He reached the narrow pass
leading to Halemanu.
His challenge rang out, and "Chief
Maneater'' came forth to meet him.
The chief started along the narrow
path swinging a heavy war club and
fourishing a long spear.
Hoahanau made himself known and
was recognized by the chief. Then
Hoahanau made known the terms upon
which he wished to wrestle with the
chief.
Take back your club and spear, and
stand unarmed upon your ipukai, and
1 will also stand unarmed by your
imu. No weapons shall be near our
hands. Then will we wrestle for the
Ai-kanaka despised Hoahanau, whose
strength he had we'll known in the
past. He believed that he could easily
overcome the daring man who stood
naked before him; therefore, boastfully
haunting Hoahanau and threatening to
eat his body upon that very ipukai,
he threw away his weapons and waited
the onset.
AS the combatants threw themselves
against each other, Ai-kanaka was sur
prised to find his antagonist ready for
every cunning feint and well-timed |
blow. It was long and fearful strug- |
gle. The chief had been once thrown |
to the ground, but had twisted aside |
and regained his feet before Hoahanau |
could take advantage of the fall.
Foaming at the mouth and roaring |
and screaming like an enraged animal |
Ai-kanaka turned for a second toward |
his house with the thought of rushing |
to secure a weapon. Then Hoahanau |
Ieaped upon him, caught him, and |
whirled him over the edge of the pla-
teau. Down the chief swept, broken ,
and mangled by the rough, sharp spurs |
of lava rock, until the lifeless body |
lodged in the branches of a tall ohia |
tree far below.
This was the beginning and ending !
of cannibalism in the Hawaiian Islands |
so far as history and definite legend |
are concerned. Halemanu was visited |
by Mathison, and a description of the |
carved stone table published in 1925.
In 1S4S a little party of white men /
were guided to the crater by an old /!
who repeated to them the /!
story of Chief Maneater" substantial !
ly as it is given in this record. They /!