The Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Thursday, January 8, 1959 - Clarice B. Taylor's "Tales about Hawaii"
"My Uncle Kaniho told me that the stone god demonstrated its powerful mana (spiritual power) in a marvelous way.
David k. Bray Sr. was continuing the story of how the stone god "walked to his house" and became the source of his spiritual power as a kahuna in a modern world.
"One day a rainbow appeared before their house in Kohala. Kaniho;s father Ku-amoo announced that some alii or great person was approaching.
"Soon appeared two strangers carrying pig, chicken, awa and puau wrapped in ti leaves like offerings.
"The strangers announced themselves as kahuna from Kauai. They asked to see the god Ke Alii. They knelt before it, prayed and made offerings.
KNEW PRAYERS
"To my Uncle's surprise, they knew the correct prayers and addressed the stone by name Ku-ka-ili-moku.
"The rainbow which hung over the house disappeared and the Kauai priests sat down to explain their mission.
"It seems that they were keepers of the female god similar in appearance to Ku-ka-pihe. They claimed their god had been brought from Tahiti at the same time as ours by the High Priest Paao.
"The Kauai goddess had come to her priests in a dream and told them of the male god on Hawaii and bring back the male god so that the two could be reunited.
"Now Kuamoo did not want to give up his god, the source of his spiritual power. He sparred for time.
"There followed a contest in chanting in which the Kauai priests tried to outdo Kuamoo. We Hawaiians call such a contest Hoopapa, the art of debating.
WINS ALL
"The winner not only wins the contest, he takes away the spiritual power or skill of the loser.
"The chanting went on through the day and night. Kuamoo's memory never failed him because he felt secure in the power of his god.
"Finally the Kauai priests gave in and conceded that Kuamoo had the greater spiritual power. They said nothing more about taking the god - but invited Kuamoo to come to Kauai and get the female companion.
NEXT: Kaniho
"My Uncle Kaniho told me that the stone god demonstrated its powerful mana (spiritual power) in a marvelous way.
David k. Bray Sr. was continuing the story of how the stone god "walked to his house" and became the source of his spiritual power as a kahuna in a modern world.
"One day a rainbow appeared before their house in Kohala. Kaniho;s father Ku-amoo announced that some alii or great person was approaching.
"Soon appeared two strangers carrying pig, chicken, awa and puau wrapped in ti leaves like offerings.
"The strangers announced themselves as kahuna from Kauai. They asked to see the god Ke Alii. They knelt before it, prayed and made offerings.
KNEW PRAYERS
"To my Uncle's surprise, they knew the correct prayers and addressed the stone by name Ku-ka-ili-moku.
"The rainbow which hung over the house disappeared and the Kauai priests sat down to explain their mission.
"It seems that they were keepers of the female god similar in appearance to Ku-ka-pihe. They claimed their god had been brought from Tahiti at the same time as ours by the High Priest Paao.
"The Kauai goddess had come to her priests in a dream and told them of the male god on Hawaii and bring back the male god so that the two could be reunited.
"Now Kuamoo did not want to give up his god, the source of his spiritual power. He sparred for time.
"There followed a contest in chanting in which the Kauai priests tried to outdo Kuamoo. We Hawaiians call such a contest Hoopapa, the art of debating.
WINS ALL
"The winner not only wins the contest, he takes away the spiritual power or skill of the loser.
"The chanting went on through the day and night. Kuamoo's memory never failed him because he felt secure in the power of his god.
"Finally the Kauai priests gave in and conceded that Kuamoo had the greater spiritual power. They said nothing more about taking the god - but invited Kuamoo to come to Kauai and get the female companion.
NEXT: Kaniho
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