In an ancient prayer reference is made to the subversion of the creed of religion (kapu) of Kahai by Lono.


When Moikeha came from Tahiti (Moaulanui) he brought with him his kilokilo, called Kamahualele, who followed him to Kauai; also his two sisters, named Makapuu and Makaaoa; also his two brothers named Kumukahi and Haehae; also his kahuna named Mookini. When he arrived at Hilo in Hawaii, Kumukahi and Haehae wished to stop there and they were put ashore. (Is Lae Kumukahi called after the first and Haehae after the other?—probably.) When Moikeha got off at Kohala, Mookini and Kaluawilinau left there. (Is the old heiau of Mookini called after Moikeha’s kahuna?—probably.) At Hana another follower named Honuaula was left. At Oahu his two sisters Makapuu and Makaaoa were left, hence probably “Lae Makapuu,” East Cape of Oahu. Kamahualele was an adopted son of Moikeha.—He traveled in a double canoe (kaulua). Moikeha was a red-haired, florid man (ehu kumuuli).

In the Hawaiian priesthood, (oihana kahuna) there were ten branches or colleges. He who was master of, or proficient, in all was called a high priest (kahuna nui.) The names of these branches of learning, or colleges were: (1) Anaana, (2) Hoopiopio, (3) Hoounauna—these three connected with the practice of sorcery, by prayer and signs, for the death or injury of another. (4) Hookomokomo, (5) Po’i-uhane, connected with divination by causing spirits of the dead to enter the body of a subject and possess it. (6) Lapaau maoli, medicine generally. (7) Kuhikuhi-puu-one, consulted about building temples, their location and prosperity. (8) Oneoneihonua, (9) Kilokilo, (10) Nanauli, soothsayers, diviners, prophets.

Each one of these ten was again subdivided in classes and occupations of detail. The priesthood was governed by rules and regulations of its own, stringent oaths were exacted before admission and heavy penalties upon infraction.

A number of gods were invoked by the different classes and subdivisions of the priesthood, but the principal god, who seems to have been the presiding and tutelar deity of the entire body of priests was called Uli, the blue sky, the vault of heaven. [[324]]


[1] See Kaao of Keamalu. Hoku Pakipika, July 12, 1862. [↑]

[2] For part of the mele of Kalana see Kuokoa, Dec. 29, 1866. [↑]

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