The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1906-01-10

Weird Story Of the Secret Entomb-
ment Of the Bones of Kama
hameha the Great

The discovery Of rare relics OF old
Hawaii in a burial cave in Waipio
Rulch, Hawaii, recalls 10 Hawaiians ad-
vanced In years many OF the traditions
concerning burials in ancient times,
SAYS the Honolulu Commercial Adver-
tiscr One story which was handed
down through family Is to the effect
that long before the missionaries ar
rived In the Hawaiian islands two ma
tive farmers went near Waipio gulch
at the close OF day to look after their
potatoes. Darkness came on while they
were still working.
Suddenly a light appeared on the
summit Of the hill 1t was kukui
torch Then another came into view
until finally the summit and the slope
were bobbing mass Of lights. The
natives knew that a burial was about
to take place. II discovered they, ac-
cording to the law of the times, would
be killed. They threw themselves down
IN the weeds and remained quiet The
procession came close to them and
stopped.
In a litter carried by several men
was a young girl apparently in the
last throes OF death. Wailing and the
chanting Of mees was heard and then
the girl apparently died. Retainers left
the main body and went toward the
stream, which they damned up, there.
by diverting the stream. In the old
bed OF the stream the retainers worked
until they uncovered the mouth of a
cave. The body OF the girl, together
with many calabashes, tapas, etc, was
carried in. the cave was sealed up again
and the stream was once more allowed
to run its usual course.
AS to Kamehameha the Great, whose
remains, according to rumor, may have
been discovered by Mr.. Forbes in Wal
pio gulch, his body was taken by
Prince Hoapili and his half-brother
the high chief Ho'olulu, and hidden IN
a submarine cave, the secret Of the To-
cation perishing at the death of Hoo
lulu. Kamehamehas body lay in state
at Kamakahonu, Kailua, Kona, Ha
wall His temporary grave there was
named Ahuena, and the spot is known
at the present day as Kamakahonu-i
Ahuena.
Hoapili and Ho'olulu watched the
grave, waiting for time when the
high chiefs, who were waving kahilis
and the groups Of natives would fall
asleep. When the time was opportune
the two high chiefs snatched up the
bundle of Kamehameha the Greats
bones, which had been woven into a
net and enveloped in an Ahu'ula cloak
(yellow feather cloak.
Prince Hoapili had given his brother
pistol, once the properly of John
Young. and commanded him to shoot
down any person whom they met. They
ran along the sea coast with their roy
al burden until halfway between Ke
kahe and Waimea. There they met oil
youth.
When Prince Hoaplh saw him he
stood perfectly still SO as not to attract
the youths attention Ho'olulu caant
right on and met the man. but fearing
the report Of the pistol If discharged
would alarm others he gave the man
blow with the butt end, intending &C
kill him. The chiefs resumed THEN
flight until they reached place on the
shore where canoe was drawn up
They sailed along the coast. it is said
until they came to a place which ma
tives assert was Kamehameha's last
resting place. Ho'omlu dlved into the
water and swan through an entrance
into large cave and there depositeg
the royal remains This must have
been about May 12 1919, for according
to tradition the old-time Hawaiians
removed human flesh from the bones q
their dead on the third or fourth das
after death
According to the Kahaweanmoku
who resided at Laie. Oahu. in 1870. the
two high chiefs did enter q canoe Will
the remains OF Kamehameha. for ht
claims that il was his father whom
Hoolulu knocked down on the beach
After the assaulted man realized whai
was taking place he followed the chiefs
stealthily until he saw them get int.
the canoe az Kekaha.
II the submarine cave has a Ions
tunnel. as many lava caves have o.
Hawaii. the cave in Waipio gulch may
have been the land end