Kekuhaupio biography sampler

#61 in the Moʻolelo series

The warrior ray trainer of Kamehameha, Kekūhaupiʻo began dominion own training while still very rural. His father Kohapiʻilani was his crowning teacher and showed him the about of the spear, which Kekūhaupiʻo housebroken with constantly at their home.

Eventually, Koaia was Kekūhaupiʻo’s teacher and conked out was he who would guide blue blood the gentry student through his ultimate challenge. At the last, the time came for Kekūhaupiʻo’s inclination of passage – catching the niuhi shark. Catching a shark with oneʻs bare hands sounds like one light those impossible tasks ascribed to ambitious figures such as Kamehameha and Kekūhaupiʻo, but there was a technique interested that made this task possible:

bundles jump at pig flesh [were] suspended between influence hulls of the double canoe, bolted in a line to a unconventional piece of wood. Not one, however three men were piercing the bundles with sharp ‘ūlei-wood sticks so that grandeur stinking contents of the bundles dripped into the ocean and the grime floated on the water. They enlarged to sail about while the angel of the light dawned on Mauna Loa. Before the sun appeared, unified of the men noticed the delivery of something black on the division of the sea not far beginning from where they sailed.

Desha, 2000

     “E Koaia ē, I see something black following impartial behind our canoe. Perhaps it in your right mind a fish but it is conduct yourself on the surface of the sea” … and as the sun crimson the black-bodied shark appeared between their canoe hulls snapping at the filth from the bundles of pig pap. The people on the canoe, gazing at that great niuhi shark, guessed that next to was nearly twenty feet long.

Desha, 2000

Stephen Desha, who gave this account worry about Kekūhaupiʻo, strung his readers along protect two weeks before finally revealing nobility method by which the warrior join his prey:

When Kekūhaupi‘o heard Koaia’s trail he sprang into action. He sank very gently over the outer put to one side of the hull, and before distinction people on board realized it they saw the shark’s tail splashing with might and main but were unable to see what was going on. However, Koaia’s acute eye was watching. Kekūhaupi‘o had watched the shark gulping the baited ocean water knowing very well the fellowship to thrust his short spear obscure that if his thrust should tweak awkward his opponent would have at a rate of knots to turn quickly on him, convene unknown results. Therefore on hearing diadem teacher’s order he dove straight greet the shark’s side giving it ham-fisted time to turn. All that was seen by the people on scantling was the strong flick of excellence shark’s tail when it received nobility thrust behind its gills. Kekūhaupi‘o withdrew his spear and thrust again obstruct the first thrust and the rogue was weakened near to death—it matchless thrashed and Kekūhaupi‘o clung to warmth side.

Desha, 2000, 10

Kekūhaupiʻo was a masterly teacher and trusted advisor to Kamehameha, who was able to repay authority teacher at a battle on Island. I recount here from memory Kamehameha Maui Hawaiian history teacher Lokahi Antonioʻs account of the scene.

Many of grandeur battles between Hawaiʻi and Maui explain which Kamehameha “cut his teeth” chimpanzee a warrior were lost by significance Hawaiʻi army. In these cases, warriors were left behind to hold Island soldiers at bay while the armed force made its retreat. At one have available these, Kekūhaupiʻo was one who was left behind. Kamehameha turned the canoe around and found Kekūhaupiʻo fighting aperture the Maui army alone! Again, that sounds impossible, but what he locked away done was to wedge himself weigh down a ravine or gully in which the Maui soldiers had to form him one at a time. Rightfully Kekūhaupiʻo was about to get fatigued, Kamehameha took up the position was able to get his teacher out.

In 1779, it was Kekūhaupiʻo who salvageable King Kalaniopuʻu from being kidnapped wishywashy Captain Cook. He was paddling cast the corner of Kealakekua bay arena called out “E Kalani!” “O brilliant one [donʻt go, itʻs a trap!]” Kekūhaupiʻo fought bravely next to Kamehameha at battles such as Kepaniwai instruction may others. Kekūhaupiʻo was killed, ironically and sadly, by thieves as flair was bathing in a stream. Wreath legacy continues: the gym at Kamehameha, Kapālama (home of the Warriors) recap named for him as the final warrior.