A quick aloha from Lua...

Ka’opulpulu and his son Kahulupu’e are killed by O’ahu Chief Kahahana- Brook Kapukuniahi Parker

Ka’opulpulu and his son Kahulupu’e are killed by O’ahu Chief Kahahana.

Ka’opulupulu was a Kahuna Nui from O’ahu. The ruling chief of O’ahu at the time was Kumahana, son of Peleioholani. He is the opposite of his father. People of O’ahu were not happy with his rule; he was indolent, stingy, selfish, and wasteful and was deaf to the advice of others. The chiefs, priest and commoners devised a plan which removed him from power. Kahahana is chosen as a replacement as Ali’i Nui over O’ahu. 

Kahahana is the son of Peleioholani’s sister, Kaionuilalaha’i and his father was Chief Elani. While as an infant he was taken to Maui and raised as the foster son of Kahekili. Kahahana ends up married to Kahekili’s younger sister Kekuapoi and was living on Maui at the time when he is asked to return and be ruler over O’ahu. Kahahana is dictated by protocol to seek Kahekili’s approval. He feigns great grief (calling them his children) at the future absence of his young sister and younger brother in law. He will only approve if his grief is to be compensated by Kahahana ceding to him the O’ahu lands of Kualoa and its supply of whale ivory, for this is the place the whales drifted ashore. Kahahana innocently agrees to this request. At his installation ceremony the O’ahu contingent is notified of Kahekili’s request for the Kualoa lands. Ka’opulupulu the Kahuna Nui explains to Kahahana that that land is the most sacred land on O’ahu, and one of the most sacred places in the Hawaiian archipelago. He told Kahahana that if he gave these lands away, Kahekili would be ruler over the lands and he would become a vassal in Kahekili’s hand. Any other request could have been granted but not this one. When Kahekili is informed of the decision by his spies he is extremely bitter. 

Kahekili’s Kahuna Nui is Ka’opulupulu’s younger brother Kaleopulupulu. He is jealous of his older brother and incogjunction with Kahekili, conceives a plan to destroy his older brother by planting lies in the mind of Kahahana. Time passes and following a meeting on Moloka’i, Kahekili asks Kahahana about the Kualoa lands. He is told that they have been held back by Ka’opulupulu. Kahekili replies deceitfully; “That is strange, Ka’opulupulu offered me the whole dominion over O’ahu but I refused for your sake. With the seeds of suspicion planted deep in Kahahana’s mind Kahekili return’s to Maui.

Kahahana returns to O’ahu and takes a turn for the worst and starts to lay burdens upon the people and desecrates some of the sacred sites and iwi (bones). Ka’opulupulu warns him he is headed in the wrong direction, but due to the lies already planted, he ignores those warnings. Ka’opulupulu, and all his followers, relatives and members of his household tattoo their knees as a sign of the chief’s deafness to his admonitions. (The word “kuli” means both knee and deaf). 

After a few years Kahekili continues to plant more lies and Kahahana decides to tour the island of O’ahu with the main intent to put to death his trusted advisor. Ka’opulupulu is requested to come to meet the chief in Waianae. Ka’opulupulu and his only son Kahulupu’e leave their home in Waimea/Pupukea and start for Waianae. They stop in Kaena Point to pray for guidance. 

Ka’opulupulu tells his son the god’s showed him that they would die however they still had two choices, the one to life in which they would not gain vengeance in this life; but the other to death would be avenged by Kahahana losing both his life and his kingdom with no survivors among his offspring. He suggests the road to death, his son Kahulupu’e consents. As they approached, Kahahana ordered the death of Kahulupu’e. Before the soldiers could act, Kahulupu’e run’s and heads for the sea. Ka’opulupulu calls out to his son, “Take a deep breath and give your body to the sea; the land is the sea’s!” the boy does so and drowns. Ka’opulupulu is taken to Pu’uloa and killed. 

Word reaches Kahekili that “the pillar that held up O’ahu” is now gone and decides to attack O’ahu with his huge army. The battle commences with huge slaughter on the side of the O’ahu forces. Kahahana manages to elude capture for a few years but is later betrayed by his brother in law and is killed. The remainders of his chiefs tried to retaliate with one final thrust but are quickly squashed and those armies annihilated. Men, women, children and even the elders were killed indiscriminately by the Maui armies, there homes and villages were burned to the ground. One of Kahekili’s pukaua’s (generals) Kalaikoa stripped the bones of all the important chiefs and their wives and built a house of bones located on the slopes near Moanalua Park (near Fort Shafter, O’ahu). The few remaining defenders fled to Kauai or hid in the uplands of O’ahu, some changing their last names to disguise their genealogy links to any of the O’ahu royal families. The prophecy uttered by Ka’opulupulu was fulfilled. 

Artist comments: This was also a difficult rendering to do due to its content. Jealously, greed and power are character traits that seem to rear their ugly heads in all generations and in the annals of history. Mahalo to Keola Akana for his mana’o in the inclusion of this very poignant story.

Chief Pele-io-holani with wife Kamakaimoku and the birth of Kalaniopu’u

Kamakaimoku was the daughter of Umiulakaahumanu, a high born chiefess from Waikele, O’ahu. Her father was Chief Kuanuuanu also of O’ahu. Her parents also had a son named Naili and he became chief of Waianae. This same Naili was influential in preventing a war between King Alapa’i of Hawaii and Peleioholani of Kauai and O’ahu. Kamakaimoku while visiting her mother in Waikele becomes romantically involved with Peleioholani and Kaleiopu’u is born. The ruling chiefs of O’ahu wore as a neck ornament an ivory whales tooth un-carved shaped like a bud (opu’u). Hawai’i Island chiefs wore their whales tooth pendant carved like a tongue shaped hook. Peleioholani named the child Kaleiopu’u after the bud shaped neck ornament of his father The Great O’ahu Ali’i Nui Kuali’i. 

Kaleiopu’u; was later to be known as Kalaniopu’u, Ruling Chief at the time of Captain James Cook visit at Kealakekua Bay, Hawai’i. Kaleiopu’u/Kalaniopu’u was known as a “Po’olua” Chief (one having two fathers). His other father was reportedly Kalaninuiamama’o, (son of the Ali’i Nui Keawe of Hawai’i Island). While he was on a visit to O’ahu, he requested Kamakaimoku as his wife; and she returned to Kona with him and gave birth to the boy. Accounts later say that she leaves Kalaninuiamama’o and marries his brother Kalanike’eaumokunui and with him they have Keouakalanipuapaikalaninui (Keoua) which became father to Kamehameha the Great, another “Po’olua” Chief as Kahekili of Maui being Kamehameha’s other father.. Kamakaimoku then is referred to being the wife of Keawe himself and bares him a daughter Manona who becomes the grandmother of Chief Kekuaokalani who defended the old religion after the breaking of the Kapu system and was killed in the battle at Kuamo’o by Kalanimoku. 

Artist comments (Cousin Brook): 
Peleioholani and Kamakaimoku are portrayed with Kaleiopu’u depicted at various stages in life. As a youth, because of his O’ahu ties, possibly spent time at the sacred grounds of Kualoa on the windward side of O’ahu. Later he was taught the fighting arts as part of his training. Lastly he is portrayed wearing his “leiopu’u” in honor of his O’ahu connections.

The Willows Restaurant

The district where the Willows sits was know as Kapa’akea.  It was originally known as Kapa’akea Springs and was the property of Kamamalu (sister of Kamehameha IV and V).  She loved fun and parties.  Her two brothers dearly loved the pretty picnic spot.  Hawaiian royalty were very fond of feasting outdoors.  Splendid luaus were held under the hau trees.  The grounds provided for enjoyment and merriment.  Hawaiian royalty loved to come and swim in the ponds.  The waters were reputed to have great healing powers.  It is said that the district and springs were considered sacred.  People would come to go into the water or to take the water home with them.

The site was located over lava tubes which formed natural caverns, bringing the fresh water springs from the mountains to the ocean that formed the property’s pools.  Stories say that there was a secret passageway and that the guardian spirit Kane watched over the water sacred to him and gave the place the happy, restful atmosphere.

Because of these many reasons, the Hawaiians found it an ideal spot to grow their taro.  In 1870, Chinese came and settled, planting rice and creating duck ponds.  They were followed by Japanese who found the land ideal for truck farming.

The Willows became the home of Emma McGuire Hausten and her family in the 1920’s.  It was the family’s garden home with beautiful tropical gardens of flora and fauna.  “Ma” Hausten was an avid gardener and planted white ginger, water lilies, plumeria from the South Seas, willow trees, kukui trees, breadfruit and fruit trees as well as Hawaiian herbs and medical plants.  The gardens thrived and people asked if they might use the tropical setting for weddings, luaus and parties.  Finally, in the mid ‘30’s limited private parties were held.  In the years to follow, authentic luaus put on by the family were given and visiting dignitaries and celebrities gathered to experience true Hawaiian hospitality in a home-like atmosphere.

During World War II , times were difficult.  An offer was made for the property; but instead of selling, the family decided to serve light lunches and drinks.  The original restaurant opened as a club on July 4, 1944 by Emma’s daughter, Kathleen Perry, along with husband Al – 30 year musical director of Hawaii Calls, her brothers Allan and Walter McGuire and other family members.  Together, they presided over a gracious era of Hawaiian music and hospitality during the late 1940’s and 1950’s.  The restaurant became a mecca for Kama’aina to gather in a private atmosphere.  It was during that time that the Willows became known for its mile-high pies, curry, and Hawaiian cuisine.

Today: 

The Willows re-opened its doors on the threshold of a new millennium in 1999, after six years of being closed.  In 1998, the historical site was purchased and carefully and respectfully restored as a gathering place of hospitality and aloha to all.  The Willows is run as a consortium by several different businesses which make up the Willows.

The re-opening of the Willows is a significant and nostalgic, historical and cultural marker, as well as a strong on-going commitment to the re-awakening and renaissance of our culturally rich and ethnically diverse lineage and tradition-filled lifestyle.  It pays tribute to the gentler, beautiful times of yesteryear, honoring one of Hawaii’s signature restaurants for generations.

My grandma grew up on the grounds of this restaurant.  It was our family land.  You can still get the some of the best local food on Oahu here. Although the family kept the original recipe to “The Willows Original Shrimp & Chicken Curries” that’s on the menu… 

Entrance from the street. 

Seating on The Willow’s Hokule’a, a Hawaiian Double Canoe, anchored on top of the ground’s natural springs.

Natural Springs 

Oahu

In The Beginning…

In the beginning in Hawaiian mythology, Po was a vast, empty land, a dark abyss where only one life form dwelled. This was the spirit of Keawe. A single light shown through the darkness of Po-a flame holding the energy of creation. In this chaotic vortex, Keawe evolved order. He opened his great calabash and flung the lid into the air. As it unfolded, it became the huge canopy of blue sky. From his calabash, Keawe drew an orange disk, hanging it from the sky to become the sun.

Next Keawe manifested himself as Na Wahine, a female divinity considered his daughter. In addition, he became Kane, his own son, also known as Eli or Eli-Eli, who was the male generative force of creation. In the Kumulipo, the best known of the Hawaiian creation chants, the feats of Eli-Eli are detailed in rhythmic litany. Na Wahine and Kane mated spiritually to produce a royal family, who became additional primary gods worshipped by the Hawaiian people.

In ancient chants and rituals, three sons: Ku, Lono, and Kanaloa, along with Kane are the four major Hawaiian gods. Keawe made Kane the ruler of natural phenomena, such as the earth, stones, fresh water. Most importantly, Ku as Kukailimoku was god of war, but he also reigned over woodlands and crops, and in various forms was worshipped by craftsmen

Kanaloa was responsible for the southern Pacific Ocean and as such was god of seamen and lord of fishermen. Lono, as lord of the sun and of wisdom, caused the earth to grow green. As a god of medicine, he had a particular interest in keeping herbs and medicinal plants flourishing. Lono was the god who presided over the makahiki season when war ceased and taxes were paid to the ali’i.

Kane and Na Wahine also had daughters. Among them, Laka was the goddess of hula; Hina was the mother of Maui who pulled the Hawaiian Islands from the ocean; and Kapo was the goddess of the South Pacific and was largely worshipped on Maui. Among the major divinities was the goddess Papa, queen of nature, and the man she married, called Wakea. In legend, Papa and Wakea’s first child was born deformed like a taro root. From the child’s grave, the first taro plant grew to furnish sustenance to the rest of the human race, which had its origins in this first couple.

The Kanaka Maoli Flag

The Kanaka Maoli (“true people” in the Hawaiian language) flag is sometimes said to be the original flag of the Kingdom of Hawaii.  To some, this flag symbolizes the Native Hawaiians since the present Hawaiian flag, a hybrid of British and American symbolism, evokes images of colonialism.  The colors are red-green-yellow, said to have been Kamehameha’s personal flag, and reintroduced by Kamehameha III.  The central design is also present in the official coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hawai’i.
                                                
At the center of the flag is a green shield bearing a coat of arms of the kanaka maoli, made up of the royal kahili, the original Hawaiian royal standard.  Crossing this kahili are two paddles, representing both voyaging traditions of Hawaiians, and Kamehameha’s Law of the Splintered Paddle.  There are nine stripes unlike the eight striped flag of the present State of Hawaii. Each stripe represents one of the inhabited Hawaiian islands.  They are Hawaii Island, Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, Niihau, and Nihoa.  

According to this flag’s promoters, the green in the flag represents the maka ‘ainana (commoners), the land and goodness; the red represents the landed konohiki (middle class), genealogy and strength; and the yellow represents the aliʻi, spirituality and alertness to danger.

 Other flags have been proposed, and interpretations of colors, but even leaders of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement often use the current state flag, since it was in effect after 1843.

Mai pale i ke a`o a ka makua