Of all the many rulers of Kauai, who is the most revered? Whose name is most often invoked in chant and song? Whose name is synonymous with Kauai, forever linked with the other great rulers of Hawaii’s distant past? Perhaps
Of all the many rulers of Kauai, who is the most revered? Whose name is most often invoked in chant and song? Whose name is synonymous with Kauai, forever linked with the other great rulers of Hawaii’s distant past? Perhaps not who you think.
Probably the best known ruler of Kauai today is Kaumuali‘i. Not only was he the last of Kauai’s kings, but he was the only independent ruler to successfully resist the efforts of Kamehameha the Great to conquer the island chain a little more than 200 years ago. At the time of his death Kaumuali‘i was the highest-ranking chief in all Hawaii, sought after in marriage by Kaahumanu, Kamehameha’s widow and the real ruler of the Kingdom. Sadly, his name often befuddles tourists and locals alike who refer to “his” highway as “51” and his school as King “K.”
Kaumauli‘i’s mother, Kamakahelei, also deserves consideration as a beloved ruler, being the only woman to rule the island. Memory of her, however, has met a similar fate. Too lazy to learn her name, most students, parents and teachers alike refer to “her” school in Puhi simply as “Chiefess.”
Another contender for most famous ruler of Kauai could be the legendary Kawelo, who conquered the island with an army from Oahu, avenging his parents by slaying his wicked half-brother in a great battle at Wailua using his infamous war club.
More deserving is the warrior king Kukona, who first united the island of Kauai and then led her armies in defense of the island when the great Hawaii king Kalaunuiohua attempted to subdue Kauai, three centuries before Kamehameha’s conquests. Through careful planning, some trickery and honest dealing with his god, Kukona won the battle, saved Kauai and then brought peace through his magnanimous treatment of those he defeated.
Yet, it is another name that lives in chant and song and that has become synonymous with Kauai; a chief who led no armies, won no great battles, who grew fat from fish and poi and red and scaly from the great quantities of awa he consumed. He was a chief who encouraged farming, built irrigation works and brought peace and prosperity to Kauai so that he and his people could live in comfort and die peacefully on their sleeping mats. His name was Mano Kalanipo and his island, our island, is Kauai o Mano Kalanipo.
“The most revered ruler of Kauai” is the ninth of 12 stories leading to the 100th anniversary of the Kauai Historical Society.
The highlight will be a multicultural festival on May 10, when there will be dances, music, food and stories on the front lawn of the Historic County Building.
In the meantime, The Garden Island is working with the Kauai Historical Society on a centennial crossword puzzle contest. Here’s how it will work:
The Garden Island will publish 12 articles on Kauai history on Thursdays or Fridays. The first was published Jan. 23. A crossword puzzle will be published by April 17 and also be available at the office of the Kauai Historical Society, Old County Building Ste. 101, Lihue. Answers to the puzzle will be found in the articles.
Here are the contest rules:
• The puzzle must be submitted by May 5 to KHS.
• Submissions may be mailed to P.O. Box 1778, Lihue, HI 96766 or to the office of the historical society.
• Winners will be determined by date and time of submission. If mailed, date will be the postmark and time will be 6 p.m. If delivered to the historical society office, the date and time will be stamped on the submission. Three prizes will be awarded, determined by the earliest date and time of submission.
• Winners will be announced at the centennial celebration May 10, Historic County Building.
