Kahalaomapuana

Family: Moanalihaikawaokele's family · Role: youngest sister of Aiwohikupua · First appears: Chapter VIII

In Chapter VIII, Kahalaomapuana sailed from Kauai with her brother Aiwohikupua and her four older sisters, Mailehaiwale, Mailekaluhea, Mailelaulii and Mailepakaha, as they went to seek Laieikawai. When Aiwohikupua tried to leave the sisters behind, Kahalaomapuana refused to go without them. After winning the lot to plead with him, she moved him to take her aboard, but when he left her sisters far behind, she jumped into the sea to return to them. In Chapter XI she reappeared by the cliff, and she and her sisters returned to Paliuli.

On the fifth night, Laieikawai sent for Kahalaomapuana, who delighted her by playing a ti leaf trumpet. In Chapter XII, Laieikawai offered her a home and friendship, made her a favorite, and promised protection to her and her sisters; they became guardians of Paliuli. When Waka’s warning revealed that Aiwohikupua intended to attack, Kahalaomapuana ordered Kihanuilulumoku, their god, to prepare for battle and destroy any force he sent. Later, when Laieikawai was in trouble, Kahalaomapuana affirmed that they would share her adversity and not forsake one another.

In Chapter XXV, Kahalaomapuana told Laieikawai she would go to fetch their brother, Kaonohiokala, as her husband, and set out on Kihanuilulumoku. In Chapters XXVII and XXVIII, she reached the heavens, where her uncles Mokukelekahiki and Kaeloikamalama helped her ascend. She met her father, Moanalihaikawaokele, and mother, Laukieleula, and, with her mother’s consent, brought Kaonohiokala to Laieikawai. After returning to her companions, she related her journey to Laieikawai. In Chapter XXX, Kaonohiokala placed her as their ruler. Later, though she refused to return to Kealohilani, he rigged the lots so she would be sent there; after his punishment, she was found there and taken to fill his place.