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October 17, 2021 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Battle of Kalaeokaʻīlio

On April 19, 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.  The battles marked the outbreak of open armed conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies of British North America.

The first shot (“the shot heard round the world”) was fired just as the sun was rising at Lexington. The American militia was outnumbered and fell back; and the British regulars proceeded on to Concord.  Following this, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and it was signed by 56-members of the Congress (1776.)

The next eight years (1775-1783,) war was waging on the eastern side of the continent.  The main result was an American victory and European recognition of the independence of the United States (the war ended in 1873 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.)

In the Islands, over the centuries, the islands weren’t unified under single rule.  Leadership sometimes covered portions of an island, sometimes covered a whole island or groups of islands.  Island rulers, Aliʻi or Mōʻī, typically ascended to power through familial succession and warfare. In those wars, Hawaiians were killing Hawaiians; sometimes the rivalries pitted members of the same family against each other.

Kalaniʻōpuʻu (Hawaiʻi Island ruler,) from the very beginning of his reign, made repeated attempts to conquer the neighboring island of Maui.  He held portions of the Hāna district and the Kaʻuiki fort in 1775, when, in the war between Hawaiʻi and Maui, he commanded a raid in the Kaupō district.  (Thrum)

In 1775, war between Hawaiʻi and Maui broke out at Kaupō on the island of Maui; it was the first battle that the rising warrior Kamehameha took part in.

While Kalaniʻōpuʻu was at Hāna he sent his warriors to plunder the Kaupō people. Kahekili was king of Maui at that time, when Kahekili’s warriors met those of Kalaniʻōpuʻu at Kaupō, a battle developed between the two sides.

The Hawaiʻi forces at Hāna, apparently under the command of Kalaniʻōpuʻu in person, raided the Kaupō district (that still acknowledged the rule of Kahekili.) Taken by surprise and unprepared, the Kaupō people suffered great destruction of property, cruelty and loss of life at the hands of the Hawaiʻi soldiers.  (Fornander)

When Kahekili heard of this he sent two detachments of soldiers to the relief of Kaupō. A battle ensued between the Hawaiʻi and Maui forces near Kalaeokaʻīlio Point, it became known as the Battle of Kalaeokaʻīlio (“The Cape of the Dog” – also called the War of Kalaehohea.)

Kalaniʻōpuʻu’s army was routed and retreated to their fleet, near at hand, and barely a remnant escaped on board and returned to Hāna.

“Among the warriors on the Hawaiʻi side in this battle of “Kalaeokaʻīlio” the legends make honourable mention of the valour of Kekūhaupiʻo, whose fame as a warrior chief stood second to none of his time.”  (Fornander)

“Kamehameha, afterwards famous in history, (also) figured prominently in this battle as having gallantly supported Kekūhaupiʻo”.  (Thrum) Despite the courageous fighting of Kamehameha and Kekūhaupiʻo along with the other Hawai‘i Island warriors, the massive Maui army of Kahekili eventually forces the Hawai‘i Island warriors to flee the battlefield.

Kekūhaupiʻo was Kamehameha’s teacher in the ancient martial arts.  Kekūhaupiʻo was determined to give all his knowledge to his chiefly pupil, and he indeed did so.  This brought about the firm bond between Kekūhaupiʻo and the young Kamehameha.

Kamehameha became the most skillful of all the chiefs in the use of the spear. Captain George Vancouver later wrote that he once saw six spears hurled at Kamehameha all at the same time.  Kamehameha caught three with one hand as they flew at him. Two he broke by hitting them with a spear in his other hand. One he dodged.  (Williams)

Kekūhaupiʻo is arguably the one man most closely connected to Kamehameha I during Kamehameha’s formative years, while he developed his skills as a warrior, and through the early period of Kamehameha’s conquests.

Outnumbered and overpowered, after this severe repulse, Kalaniʻōpuʻu went back to Hawaiʻi and made preparations for a revengeful invasion. This occupied a whole year.  (Thrum)

Kalaniʻōpuʻu promised revenge and, in 1776, he again went to battle against Kahekili. This battle (known as the Battle of Sand Hills or Ahalau Ka Piʻipiʻi O Kakaniluʻa) was recorded as one of the most bloody. Unfortunately, Kalaniʻōpuʻu was not aware of the alliance between Kahekili and the O‘ahu warriors under Kahahana, the young O‘ahu chief; Kalaniʻōpuʻu lost again.

Although often defeated, Kalaniʻōpuʻu managed to hold the famous fort of Kaʻuiki in Hāna for more than twenty years.  (Alexander)  At the time of Captain Cook’s arrival (1778-1779,) Kalaniʻōpuʻu was the chief reigning over the Island of Hawaiʻi and Hāna, Maui.

Kalaniʻōpuʻu returned to Hawaiʻi and met with Cook on January 26, 1779, exchanging gifts, including an ʻahuʻula (feathered cloak) and mahiole (ceremonial feather helmet.)   Cook also received pieces of kapa, feathers, hogs and vegetables.

In return, Cook gave Kalaniʻōpuʻu a linen shirt and a sword; later on, Cook gave other presents to Kalaniʻōpuʻu, among which one of the journals mentions “a complete Tool Chest.”

After the departure of the Resolution and Discovery, Kalaniʻōpuʻu left the bay and passed to Kaʻū, the southern district of Hawaiʻi, having in his charge the young Kaʻahumanu. (Bingham)  Kalaniʻōpuʻu died in 1782; Kahekili died in 1794.

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Filed Under: Ali'i / Chiefs / Governance Tagged With: Kauiki, Kekuhaupio, Hawaii, Battle of Kalaeokailio, Captain Cook, Kamehameha, Maui, Kahahana, Kahekili, Kalaniopuu, Kaupo, Hana

March 15, 2018 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Ka‘uiki

O Ka‘uiki, mauna ki‘eki‘e,
Huki a‘e la a pa i ka lani
He po‘ohiwi no kai halulu. …

Ka‘uiki, mountain famous in story,
Stretching upward to touch the heavens,
A shoulder for the buffeting sea. … (Beckwith)

“Ka‘uiki is beloved, Afloat on the sea like a bird!” Hana is called ‘a land beloved of chiefs because of the fortress of Ka‘uiki and the ease of living in that place.’ (Beckwith)

The Polynesian name of the moon, Mahina, is derived from Hina, the goddess mother of Maui. The Hawaiians say that Hina and her maidens pounded out the softest, finest kapa cloth on the long, thick kapa board at the foot of Ka‘uiki. (Westervelt)

“Mythical names are attached to the dwellers on Ka‘uiki in ancient days. On the summit may be seen the rock placed by Aiai as an outlook for schools of fish entering the bay.”

“Here Maui stood to push the sky higher because it lay so near the earth at Ka‘uiki. Here lived Hina-hana-ia-ka-malama, she who worked at tapa making in the moon, and her husband, father of Puna and Hema on the Ulu line of chiefs.” (Beckwith)

“Ka‘uiki is not a grand hill to look at. In its outline or profile it resembles a moi’s (fish) head diving in the ocean. On its north-east is the dark cliff of Mapuwena, and at its base is the slippery sand of Kapueokahi by the ship’s harbour, and the surf of Keanini.”

“To the east of Paliuli is a sort of deep round cave wherein the famous chiefess, Kaahumanu, was hidden during the battle engagements of Kalaiopuu and Kahekili in East Maui in 1775 and 1778.”

“There did Ka‘ahumanu lead Mr. Wm. Richards in 1830, and showed him her place of concealment, and the spot at Mapuwena where she was born. Down at its front, and within the cave at the base of Ka‘uiki, lies the famous eel of Laumeki, which causes the top to tremble.”

“A certain blow-hole is at its front that is sounded by the reef-wind of Mokuhano. Its principal outlet of sound was closed up entirely with kauila spears, the strange work of a certain chief named Kalaikini. (Those spears have so remained to this day.) Over two hundred years have passed since then.”

“At the south flourishes a coco-nut grove (whence the saying: “The coco-nuts of Kane are not reached by you”) and the dark cliff of Kaihalulu.”

“On the western and northern sides spreads the flat land devoted to Hana’s cane cultivation. Close to the base of the hill is the ancient land division of chiefs, called Kuakaha, with the temples of Honuaula and Kuawalu. There was the bake-oven for slain warriors taken captive by Kahekili at the hill of Ka‘uika in 1782.”

“Just above the water of Punahoa is the foundation of Kawalakii. Near the crown of the hill there is the ladder of the hill of Lanakila (victory) of the ohia of Kealakomo, which was closed in the contest of that period.”

“At the summit of the hill looking eastward is ever-green Hawaii; on the south side of Makokiloia is Makopalena, and on the north-east of Mapuwena, in the centre, is the foundation of Wananaiku. Viewing Kauiki from Hawaii, Kaihuakala lies to the front; inland is Puuokahaula, while seaward is Alau like a sheltering island.”

“In such is its dignity and claim to admiration, like a bird soaring upward; a cape for the noio sea-bird of Mokuhano, as if scarified for the bosun birds of Kaihalulu and Kapueokahi. There a certain chief thrust his spear in the heavens for Hana’s fame, as ‘Hāna of low heavenly rain.” (Thrum)

“Ka‘ahumanu was born about the year 1773, at the foot of the hill Ka‘uiki, on the eastern shore of Maui. Her father was Ke‘eaumoku, subsequently a distinguished warrior and counsellor of the late conqueror.”

“Her mother was Nāmāhāna, the relict and sister of Kamehamehanui, and who, as his wife, and as the daughter of King Kekaulike, had been Queen of Maui.”

“Kamehamehanui was the son and successor of Kekaulike, and the brother of Kahekili who governed Maui, as late as 1793, and of Ka‘eo, the father of Kaumuali‘i, who, both father and son, were successive kings of Kauai and Ni‘ihau.” (Bingham)

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Hana, Maui from the bluffs-(HSA)-PPWD-10-13-008-1891
Hana, Maui from the bluffs-(HSA)-PPWD-10-13-008-1891
Kauiki_na-Lighthouse Friends
Kauiki_na-Lighthouse Friends
Kauiki Head, Hana Bay and Hana Town, east Maui, HI
Kauiki Head, Hana Bay and Hana Town, east Maui, HI
Kauiki-Marinas-com
Kauiki-Marinas-com
kauikihead-Lighthouse Friends
kauikihead-Lighthouse Friends
hanabaysunrise-luanaspa
hanabaysunrise-luanaspa

Filed Under: Place Names Tagged With: Hana, Kauiki, Hawaii, Maui, Kaahumanu

February 9, 2014 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Battle of Kalaeʻiliʻili

In Europe, Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763,) becoming the dominant power in Europe, North America and India.  The war cost a lot of money; to raise funds Britain decided to levy taxes on the Colonies on the American continent.

For instance, the passed Quartering Act (required the colonies to provide barracks and supplies to British troops;) Stamp Act (taxed newspapers, almanacs, pamphlets, broadsides, legal documents, dice and playing cards;) Sugar Act (increased duties on non-British goods shipped to the colonies) and Currency Act (prohibited American colonies from issuing their own currency.)

This marked the beginning of Colonial opposition to the British (1765) and Colonists cried out against ‘taxation without representation.’

Turmoil was in the Islands, as well – some folks on Maui were also feeling that they were not being treated fairly; in addition, a power struggle was emerging.

Wailuku was considered a Royal Center (politically, ceremonially and geographically important during traditional times) with many of the chiefs and much of the area’s population residing near or within portions of ‘Īao Valley and lower Wailuku.  (FWS)

The period immediately preceding contact with the Europeans was one of considerable upheaval and conflict.  (FWS)

After the death of Kamehamehanui (the late king of Maui,, which happened about 1765, Nāmāhana (the widow queen of Kamehamehanui) married Keʻeaumoku.  (Fornander)

Nāmāhana’s brother, Kahekili, then became King of Maui, was displeased that Nāmāhana had taken Keʻeaumoku for her husband, and he became Keʻeaumoku’s enemy.

Nāmāhana and Keʻeaumoku lived at the large and fertile land of Waiheʻe.

Some people on Maui felt that the abundance of resources would have allowed all to be well fed; they felt they were not getting their share.

In particular, Kahanana (at the time, a lesser chief in Waiheʻe) was neglected by Keʻeaumoku and his court when the chief of Waiheʻe distributed fish, after fortunate catches, among the subordinates and warriors living on the land.  (Fornander)

Kalākaua writes that “Kahekili induced Kahanana … to embroil Keʻeaumoku in a difficulty with his own people.”

One evening Kahanana killed three of Keʻeaumoku’s men.  An insurrection arose and Kahekili, who was in the vicinity, took the side of Kahanana.

The resultant Battle of Kalaeʻiliʻili (c. 1765) was fought because the rich agricultural resources of the Waiheʻe River Valley and the offshore marine resources were being unevenly distributed by the chief Keʻeaumoku and other Molokaʻi chiefs.

A general fight ensued between the Kahanana party, being supported by Kahekili, and Keʻeaumoku.  Keʻeaumoku and his chiefs maintained their ground for some days, but were eventually overmatched, beaten and obliged to flee.  (Fornander)

The Battle reportedly marked the beginning of Kahekili’s reign and Keʻeaumoku and the Molokaʻi chiefs were driven out of Waiheʻe.

But the anger of Kahekili pursued the fugitives.  Invading Molokaʻi, he engaged Keʻeaumoku and his Molokaʻi allies in a sea-fight and Kahekili was again victorious. The naval engagement off Molokaʻi is called the battle of “Kalauonakukui.”  (Fornander)

Keʻeaumoku fled to Hāna, where Mahihelelima, the governor under Kalaniʻōpuʻu, received him and his wife and entertained them at Kaʻuiki.  (Fornander)

At Kaʻuiki, Keʻeaumoku appears to have found a short repose in his turbulent career; he was not heard of again for some years. It is probable that he made his peace with Kalaniʻōpuʻu and was permitted to remain at Hāna.  (Fornander)

It was later, there at Kaʻuiki, Hāna, Maui, in about 1768, that Keʻeaumoku and his wife Nāmāhana had their first child, Kaʻahumanu, future and famous Queen of Kamehameha the Great.

Again, several years pass by with Kalaniʻōpuʻu still holding portions of the Hāna district on Maui and the great fort of Kaʻuiki; but about the year 1775, the war between Hawaiʻi and Maui broke out again.  (Fornander)

Kahekili successfully defended his capital in Wailuku throughout the 1770s, until his defeat at the hands of Kamehameha’s forces.  (FWS)  (Kamehameha went on to conquer the Islands of Hawaiʻi, Maui Nui and Oʻahu by 1795 (defeating Kalanikūpule, Kahekili’s son) and ultimately ruled the island chain in 1810.)

Back on the continent, the discontent between the Colonists and the British Crown led to the American boycott of taxed British tea and the Boston Tea Party in 1773, and ultimately the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) and then the War of 1812.

The image shows Waiheʻe Valley from Waiheʻe Ridge Trail.   In addition, I have included other related images in a folder of like name in the Photos section on my Facebook and Google+ pages.

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Filed Under: Ali'i / Chiefs / Governance, Place Names Tagged With: Kalaniopuu, Hana, Kauiki, Keeaumoku, Namahana, Kahanana, Hawaii, Waihee, Maui, Kahekili, Kaahumanu, Wailuku

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