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Hawaiian Vacation for Two!
Mo'olelo Ka'anapali Revered in Legend
By Karee Carlucci with Saucy Walter Published: 06/25/2007
Mo‘olelo, the ancient Hawai‘ian tradition of storytelling, was a distinguished way of recording history and handing down oral tales of daring feats and passionate quests through generations. Many times, what began as a factual recounting of a specific event, later assumed the quality of a myth as the story was retold time and again.
The tales surrounding Ka‘anapali reflect the ancient Hawaiians’ harmony with nature as well as illustrate the lifestyle of the time. Within Ka‘anapali, the gently sloping coastal district in the region of Lahaina, you can still find na pohaku, or stones, which represent some of these stories.
Near the Maui Eldorado Resort lies a symbol that honors the feats of Hawai‘i’s revered white owl, or Pu‘eo. This large stone has been named, “Pohaku O Wahine Pe‘e,” which translates to Stone of the Hiding Woman. The original legend of an abused woman who was hidden by the stone evolved into a tale of the owl saving innocent victims from harm’s way.
In the times before the islands were united, a young boy named Ka‘ili was playing on the beach when rival warriors noticed him and decided to kidnap him. His sister, Na‘ilima, witnessed her brother leaving in the war canoes. She ran toward the mountain to keep watch over the kidnappers’ path, and saw them debark at the temple (near the current intersection of Honoapiilani Hwy. and Fleming Rd.). Ka‘ili was then tied to a sacrificial stone. Terrified because her brother would be sacrificed at dawn, Na‘ilima began to run along the slopes of Ka‘anapali, looking for anyone to help.
She stopped to rest on a stone outside the Owl Cave (which can be found today on Ka‘anapali’s South Course). As Na‘ilima cried for her brother, the Pu‘eo owl heard her and came out of the cave to comfort her. When the owl learned of Ka‘ili’s plight, she told Na‘ilima she would rescue him. Flying to the temple, the Pu‘eo untied Ka‘ili and showed him how to walk backwards, going away from the temple.
The owl guided Ka‘ili to her cave at Ka‘anapali, guarding him along the way and making sure his footprints remained clear. The trail left by Ka‘ili appeared to lead straight from the Owl Cave to the temple, as if Ka‘ili had voluntarily given himself in sacrifice. Knowing that the warriors would soon discover their victim’s disappearance and search the area, the Pu‘eo took both Ka‘ili and Na‘ilima to Pu‘u Keka‘a at the beach. There, they would hide in the black rock cave far from the trail left by Ka‘ili. The warriors found the trail of deception, but when they were unable to locate their victim, the search ended. After daybreak, Ka‘ili and Na‘ilima returned safely to their village.
To this day, the spirit of the owl-woman is said to live in the stone, protecting innocent people. From the fishing village of Keka‘a at the northern end of scenic Ka‘anapali Beach to Makaiwa (Canoe Beach-Wahikuli Park) at the southern end, Ka‘anapali is revered in legend.
Locations
Maui, West Maui
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