Hawai‘i Wisdom — May 2016

A drawing of a heiau on the Big Island by William Ellis, of Capt. Cook’s crew, published in 1781. Notice the kapa placed around the Hawaiian gods.

E nānā mai a uhi kapa ʻeleʻele i a Maui, a kau ka puaʻa i ka nuku, kiʻi mai i ka ʻāina a lawe aku.

“Watch until the black tapa cloth covers Maui and the sacrificial hog is offered, then come and take the land.”

Said by Kahekili, ruler of Maui, to a messenger sent by Kamehameha I with a question whether to have war or peace. Kahekili sent back this answer — “Wait until I am dead and all the rites performed, then invade and take the island of Maui.”

Source: ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, by Mary Kawena Pukui