🧚 The Sons of Kii

Sometime during the fifth or sixth century of the Christian era—according to estimates based on Hawaiian genealogies—two brothers, Ulu and Nanaulu, came to the Hawaiian Islands and established a dynasty of high chiefs.1 Their father was Kii, a king in the Southern Pacific Islands.2 Tahiti, the chief island of the Society group, furnishes the only ancient king of that name.3 We have the additional fact that in Hawaiian legends the place to which Hawaiian Vikings frequently sailed for centuries was usually Kahiki or Tahiti, the old home of the family of ruling chiefs.4

It has been suggested that Ulu remained in the southern islands and that Nanaulu alone found his way to Hawaii; but the frequent use of the name Ulu in the genealogies of the chiefs of the two large islands, Hawaii and Maui, would support the position taken in the story that follows—that the brothers, sailing together, found Hawaii.5

Two strong young men, about six feet in stature, were hastening together along a mountain spur leading down to the harbour of Papeete.6 They had met but a short time before, one coming around the base of the turreted crags of an extinct volcano known as “La Diademe”—The Diadem, or crown of Tahiti.7 The other had left his house in the hills from which the beautiful river of the Vai-ta-piha valley takes its source.8 They had given each other the universal Polynesian greeting—“Love to you,” with the reply, “Love indeed.”9

Soon they came to the seashore where a long boat, the waa of Ulu, had been built.10 Large crowds of natives were watching the workmen as the stone adzes rang for the last time on the boarded-up sides of the boat.11

As the two young chiefs drew near they saw a small company of solemn, dignified men, evidently of high rank, emerge from the door of a large grass house and march slowly to the side of the long boat.12

A trumpet shell was sounded.13 The people fell with their faces toward the ground.14 Another blast, and there could be seen a number of gigantic slaves coming from the door of a stone temple not far away.15 Each slave was leading a prisoner.16 In a few minutes they surrounded the boat.17 Two prisoners were held at the prow of the boat, two at the stern, four along the boat sides and others in a line extending to the beach.18

A priest stepped forth from the little company of leaders.19 In a strong and yet monotonous tone he began a chant of praise of Kii and his sons.20 He sang of the boat building and the protecting care of the gods.21

He chanted the charms which would control the action of the gods of the seas over which the boats might sail.22 He invoked the gods of the home land to make friendly the gods of any new country to which the sailors might go.23 He pleaded for the acceptance of the human sacrifice about to be made to the gods.24

Executioners with sharp-edged clubs of heavy hardwood then struck down the prisoners as the boat was rushed to the sea.25

Human sacrifices at the launchings of the canoes of chiefs were not at all unusual, but the two young chiefs from the mountains had never before known such wholesale slaughter.26 The importance of the plans of the high chiefs was made evident by this large human sacrifice.27 The new boat of the king’s son, Ulu, was evidently destined for some very important expedition.28

“E Taunoa,” cried a chief to the two latest arrivals, calling one of them by the name of his district.29 “Make haste or you will be too late to hear the voice of the king.”30

“How is it, Taunoa,” said another, “that you, a chief of Nanaulu, should be present at the call of Kii in the interest of Ulu?”31

Taunoa replied: “We shall soon see Nanaulu with a cloud of boats.32 I was sent to announce his coming to his father, the king.33 His heart is with his brother Ulu in the observance of the plans of Kii.34 I found this young chief of Vai-ta-piha on his way hither, and made him my companion.35 Take me at once to Kii, the king.”36

Okela, the chief who had called to Taunoa, at once preceded the crowd thronging hastily behind, giving Taunoa the post of honour after Okela.37 As they approached the dignified high chiefs they all prostrated themselves to the ground except Okela and Taunoa.38

Taunoa drew from under his cloak a feathery frond of the cocoanut, and raising it above his head, asked for an interview with the king.39

The trumpeter with his large pu or conch shell sounded the call of the coming of the king.40 Trumpet shells responded from the temple and from the king’s residence.41 A terrific beating of drums followed, the people fell upon their faces; even the high chiefs prostrated themselves.42 Only the messenger from Nanaulu remained partially upright.43

From the king’s house came the royal retinue.44 King Kii was borne on the shoulders of a stalwart slave, supported by two other slaves, while ranks of trusted chiefs walked by his side.45 Following the king, riding in the same way upon the shoulders of slaves, was Ulu, the king’s son, surrounded also by his chosen chiefs.46

To the king Taunoa at once presented his tuft of the cocoanut and was ordered to give his message.47

“O King,” he said, “Nanaulu, the high chief, your son, has heard of the boat of Ulu and your purpose of sending Ulu upon a mysterious mission.48 Nanaulu, the elder brother, was the kahu (caretaker) of Ulu in the days past.49 He desires to still stand by his brother’s side and care for him in the place of Kii, the royal father.50 He has searched the forests of the sharp-peaked mountain and has fashioned a boat, the Mano-nui (great shark), and soon expects to come to Papeete with a royal fleet to do honour to the king, his father.”51

The king had turned his eyes for a moment toward Ulu and had caught the joy flashing from his eyes when he heard of his brother’s speedy coming, then, looking down upon Taunoa, who had prostrated himself as soon as his message was delivered, simply said:52

“Your message gives joy,” and then was borne into the midst of the group of high chiefs.53

The king’s herald then made proclamation:54

“Where are you, O chiefs?55 Where are you, O nobles of Tahiti?56 Where are you, O servant people?57 For the message is to all, from the highest to the lowest.58 Listen, O men of Tahiti, to the will of Kii, your king.59

“It is his wish that Ulu, his son, should sail toward the west and should find the land of our fathers, He will have many companions, but these will be selected from only the most worthy.60 His prophets and priests, his teachers, have already been chosen.61 But now choice must be made of chiefs and warriors and common people.62 Two days will be given you for rest.63 On the third day the king and his high chiefs will be judges of wrestling contests.64 On the fourth day will be struggles in the surf; or, if the sea gods are not propitious the chiefs will contest on the hillsides and in the games of physical strength.65 On the fifth day there will be the exercise with the spears and clubs.66 The skill and strength of the Tahitians will be manifest during these days.”67

Then followed such a scene of unbridled revelry as could occur only in a land given up to physical pleasures and passions.68 Feasting and the heiva dance and drinking kava occupied the time of the common people.69

The chiefs gave themselves up to gambling and rioting until the night was wearied with their excesses and the new day sent the revellers to needed rest wherever any tree or grass house afforded even a little shade.70

As the afternoon of the first day began to cast its long shadows, a large fleet of hundreds of canoes filled the entrance to Papeete Bay.71 They were preceded by a very large war canoe with a prow shaped into a rude resemblance of a shark’s head, with shark’s teeth fastened in the open jaws.72 The body of the boat was of polished wood, well oiled.73 The multitude of canoes following were painted and stained with as many brilliant dyes as possible.74 Not a torn or weather-beaten sail hung by the masts.75 Sails of dyed kapa cloth and woven matting, new and beautifully painted, had been made ready long before, that Nanaulu’s homecoming might have no blot upon its impressive appearance.76 As the large boat came near the shore the oarsmen leaped into the surf; chosen men from the other canoes joined them.77 Passing strong cords of cocoanut fibre under the keel, they lifted the boat, with several chiefs resting upon a small deck which partially covered the canoe.78 Then they bore the great burden up the beach toward the grass house of Kii.79 Standing by the mast of the canoe was Nanaulu, a chief of splendid physical appearance, about thirty years of age, before whom all the people prostrated themselves as he was carried by.80

Midway between the beach and the king’s house a young chief rushed down to meet Nanaulu.81 As he came near the canoe he leaped over the heads of the bearers, landing on the deck by the side of Nanaulu and catching the mast gracefully, steadied himself for a moment and then, throwing his arms around Nanaulu, began the loud Polynesian wailing, with which in sorrow or in joy alike they were accustomed to greet one another.82 This was Ulu, the younger brother, not over twenty-five years old, and his warm-hearted greeting of his elder brother, who during his boyhood had been his steadfast friend and caretaker, showed the deep love which bound them together.83 Ulu was of higher chief rank than his elder brother.84 Sons of Kii, they were nevertheless sons of different queens of unequal rank; therefore Nanaulu owed allegiance to his brother.85 After the wailing was over the boat was carried to the king’s house, while the two brothers discussed plans.86 Nanaulu requested that his own retainers might be given an opportunity to contest in the games and athletic exercises of the coming days.87 To this his brother readily acceded.88

Early in the morning of the next day the contests were opened by the chiefs of the various districts of Tahiti, who called their best wrestlers together and chose the champions to contest with other champions from other districts.89

After the king had taken his place the ceremonies of the day were introduced by the royal ceremonial dance.90 Over a hundred chiefs, throwing aside their cloaks and putting on tall helmets making the average stature about eight feet and, taking slender, thin paddles, ranged themselves before the king in lines, and then passed through a series of gymnastic exercises, gracefully moving the paddles in exact harmony, at the same time changing their positions, passing in and out between one another, sometimes forming squares, circles and semi-circles.91 The music for the rhythmic motion was furnished by rude drums, upon which musicians beat time.92 The dance ended by two chiefs taking war clubs and, while in motion, keeping time with the drums, twirling the clubs and striking rapidly at each other, circling the clubs over each other’s heads and yet avoiding all injury to one another.93

One of the chiefs stepped to the centre of the open arena and began to chant:94

“I am the wrestler From the groves of Papeete, By the sea waters.95 Where are you, Opale, The great man! the strong man!96 Living by the rough waves Of Makavia?97 Come and fight with Makima.”98

The champion wrestler from Matavia Bay very slowly walked into the arena, trying to appear utterly oblivious of his antagonist.99 He looked into the sky, glanced along the sand, then shouted:100

“Where are you, Makima, The boastful little man, The weak in limb and arm?101 Where are you, Makima, Who dares to fight with Opale?”102

It was the custom of the Polynesians to throw out a taunt in a half-shouting, defiant tone.103 Each combatant approached the other, trying to make the audience think that he considered his antagonist so far beneath his notice that he only needed to move his arm and the match would be over.104 Thus in lordly dignity they ignored each other until, standing side by side, each made a sudden movement as if expecting to find the other off his guard.105 In a moment there was a confused mass of squirming limbs and arms and writhing bodies.106 A cloud of sand obscured the struggle.107 For a time there was no motion, and people saw the champions bending around each other with strained muscles, neither having any advantage, but each apparently exerting all his strength to make the other give way in response to brute strength.108 Each endeavoured to learn the trick by which his antagonist would change the order of battle.109 The least loosening of muscles on the part of one was interpreted in a moment by the other, and neither one hastened to carry out a move which might place him at the other’s mercy.110 It was a splendid exhibition of statuesque athletics.111 Doing his very best to prevent betrayal by any loosened grasp in any direction, Opale suddenly swept one foot with terrific force against his antagonist’s leg, at the same time pulling him to one side; but the half second’s unconscious loosening of the muscles preparatory to Opale’s action gave Makima notice, and even as Opale’s foot struck him, he raised the unbalanced chief and whirled him over his head, at the same time by a whirlwind motion preserving his own equilibrium.112 Opale lay for a moment unconscious, while Makima received the applause of the multitude.113