“Kauai, its government and chiefs, had been living apart, or not mingled much with the chiefs or events on the other islands. …“
“But the war with the Hawaii chief … as well as (Kauai Chief) Kukona’s generous conduct towards the Oahu, Molokai, and Maui chiefs … brought Kauai back into the family circle of the other islands, and with an éclat and superiority which it maintained to the last of its independence. (Fornander)
Kalaunuiohua (of Hawaiʻi Island) became very powerful, he had only to point with his hand and direct war against another country and that country would be at his mercy.
Kalaunuiohua began to wage war against Kamaluohua, king of Maui, and he defeated him and added Maui to his possession. Kamaluohua was not put to death, but appointed governor of Maui under Kalaunuiohua.
After that, Kalaunuiohua pointed to Molokai; and he made war on Kahakuohua, and, having defeated him, he appointed Kahakuohua governor of Molokai under himself.
The hand of Kalaunuiohua next pointed at Oahu, and he made war on Hua-i-pou-leilei and overcame him, after which he made that king governor of Oahu.
His hand pointed next towards Kauai, and he waged war against that island, a war which was called Ka-welewele-iwi.
When Kalaunuiohua sailed on his campaign against Kauai to wage war upon Kukona, the king of that island, he was accompanied by Kamaluohua (of Maui,) Kahakuohua (of Molokai,) and Huakapouleilei (of Oʻahu) (chiefs subject to him.)
After the arrival of Kalaunuiohua at Kauai the deity (good luck) deserted that king’s hand and took possession of Kauliʻa, a man of Kauai. The hand of Kalaninuiohua lost the magic power it once had when it pointed.
In the battle with Kukona, king of Kauai, Kalaunuiohua was defeated, but his life and the lives of his allies, the Huas, were spared.
Kalaunuiohua and the other Huas lived peacefully on Kauai with Kukona and were treated by him with all kindness. One time when Kukona was spending the day apart from his own people with these captive Huas about him, he was taken with a desire for sleep.
He rolled himself in his blanket and lay down, but did not fall asleep – he was setting a trap for them – and was all the time alert and watching them from beneath his covering.
Kalaunuiohua and his fellow captives supposed that Kukona had really gone to sleep, and they began to grumble and find fault with Kukona and to plot against his life, at which they of Oahu, Molokai, and Hawaii nodded assent, agreeing that they should turn upon Kukona and put with to death.
But Kamaluohua, the king of Maui, said, “Let us do no hurt to Kukona, because he has been kind to us. Here we are in his hands, but he has not put us to death. Let us then treat him kindly.”
Just then, Kukona rose up and said to them, “What a fine dream I’ve just had while sleeping! I dreamed all of you were muttering and plotting my death, but that one pointing to Kamaluohua, defended me and preserved my life.”
They all acknowledged the truth of his accusations.
“Because, however, of Kamaluohua’s kindness,” continued Kukona, “and because of his determination that no evil should be done to me; because he appreciated that life and the enjoyment of peace were great blessings, I will not trouble you.”
Because Kamaluohua did right, I now declare all of you free to return to your homes with the honors of war (me ka lanakila) , taking your own canoes with you. Do not think I shall oppress you in your own lands. Your lands shall be your own to live in as before.”
So KaIaunuiohua returned home to Hawaii, Huaipouleilei to Oahu, Kahakuohua to Molokai, Kamaluohua to Maui; and they lived peacefully in their own homes.
This peace was called Ka Laʻi Loa Ia Kamaluohua, the long peace of Kamaluohua. (All information here is from Fornander and Malo.) The image shows ahupuaʻa of Kauai (ahamoku.)
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