HE PULE HOOLAA ALII.

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(An ancient prayer for the dedication of the high chief Lonoikamakahiki to the gods, soon after his birth, and at which time the honors of Kapu, Wela, Hoano, and Moe were conferred on him by his father, Keaweikekahialiiokamoku, King of Hawaii. After the ceremony his name was changed to Ka I i Mamao.)

HE KUMULIPO

(THE CREATION)

FOR

KA I I MAMAO.

FROM HIM TO HIS DAUGHTER, ALAPAI WAHINE.

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THE FIRST ERA, OR AGE.

FIRST VERSE.

At the time that turned the heat of the earth,
At the time when the heavens turned and changed,
At the time when the light of the sun was subdued
To cause light to break forth,
At the time of the night of Makalii (winter)
Then began the slime which established the earth,
The source of deepest darkness.
Of the depth of darkness, of the depth of darkness,
Of the darkness of the sun, in the depth of night,
                                    It is night,
                                    So was night born.

p. 2

SECOND VERSE.

Kumulipo was born in the night, a male.
Poele was born in the night, a female.
A coral insect was born, from which was born perforated coral.
The earth worm was born, which gathered earth into mounds,
From it were born worms full of holes.
The starfish was born, whose children were born starry.
The phosphorous was born, whose children were born phosphorescent.
The Ina was born Ina (sea egg).
The Halula was born Halula (sea urchin).
                       Shell-fish.
The Hawae was born, the Wana-ku was its offspring.
The Haukeuke was born, the Uhalula was its offspring.
The Pioe was born, the Pipi was its offspring (clam oyster).
The Papaua was born, the Olepe was its offspring (pearl and oyster).
The Nahawele was born, the Unauna was its offspring (muscle and crab in a shell).
The Makaiaulu was born, the Opihi was its offspring.
The Leho was born, the Puleholeho was its offspring (cowry).
The Naka was born, its offspring was Kupekala (rock oysters).
The Makaloa was born, the Pupuawa was its offspring.
The Ole was born, the Oleole was its offspring (conch).
The Pipipi was born, the Kupee was its offspring (limpets).

Kane was born to Waiololi, a female to Waiolola.
The Wi was born, the Kiki was its offspring.
The Akaha's home was the sea;
Guarded by the Ekahakaha that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

p. 3

THIRD VERSE.

             Seaweed and grasses
Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Akiaki was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Manienie Akiaki that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

FOURTH VERSE.

Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Aalaula was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Alaalawainui that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

FIFTH VERSE.

Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Manauea was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Kalo Manauea that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

SIXTH VERSE.

             Seaweed and grasses
Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Koeleele was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Ko punapuna Koeleele that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

SEVENTH VERSE.

Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Puaiki was born and lived in the sea; p. 4
Guarded by the Lauaki that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

EIGHTH VERSE.

Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Kikalamoa was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Moamoa that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

NINTH VERSE.

Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Limukele was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Ekele that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

TENTH VERSE.

Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Limukala was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Akala that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

ELEVENTH VERSE.

Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Lipuupuu was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Lipuu that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter but not man.

p. 5

TWELFTH VERSE.

            Seaweed and grasses
Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Loloa was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Kalamaloloa that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

THIRTEENTH VERSE.

            Seaweed and grasses
Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Ne was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Neneleau that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

FOURTEENTH VERSE.

Man by Waiololi, woman by Waiolola,
The Hulu-waena was born and lived in the sea;
Guarded by the Huluhulu Ieie that grew in the forest.
A night of flight by noises
Through a channel; water is life to trees;
So the gods may enter, but not man.

FIFTEENTH VERSE.

A husband of gourd, and yet a god,
A tendril strengthened by water and grew
A being, produced by earth and spread,
Made deafening by the swiftness of Time
Of the Hee that lengthened through the night,
That filled and kept on filling
Of filling, until, filled
To filling, ’tis full,
And supported the earth, which held the heaven
On the wing of Time, the night is for Kumulipo (creation),
                         ’Tis night.