Laieikawai

Also known as: The Woman of the Twilight · Family: Kahauokapaka's family · Role: princess, the beauty of Paliuli · First appears: Chapter I · Part 2

In Chapter I, Malaekahana gave birth to twin daughters, Laieikawai and Laielohelohe, and Waka, their grandmother, hid Laieikawai at Waiapuka until she matured. In Chapter II, a vision from Kapukaihaoa sent Waka and Laieikawai to make their home in Paliuli. Though Waka wished to keep her concealed on the journey, Laieikawai uncovered her face; by Chapter III she had grown to maidenhood at Paliuli. When Kauakahialii’s man told her that Kauakahialii was to be her husband, she went to meet him, but in Chapter IV Aiwohikupua also dreamed of her and decided to seek her as a wife. She refused him, including when his sisters came to woo her for their brother.

In Chapters XI–XII, Laieikawai welcomed Kahalaomapuana, offered her friendship and a home, and promised protection to her and her sisters. She later took notice of Hauailiki’s surf riding, but when he entered her sleeping place he claimed they had been united in dreams. In Chapter XX, after Waka said she wished Kekalukaluokewa to be her husband, Laieikawai consulted her companions and agreed to the marriage with their consent. In Chapter XXI, Halaaniani seized her from the surf; in Chapter XXII he took her to wife. When Waka learned this, she withdrew her protection and renounced her granddaughter. Laieikawai lived with Halaaniani and, after he left her, waited at Keaau believing he was dead. She later saw that he was alive, but after Waka taunted her, she and her companions went to the uplands of Olaa, where she had lost the power to rest on birds’ wings.

In Chapters XXV–XXVI, Laieikawai consented to Kahalaomapuana going to fetch her brother Kaonohiokala as a husband. She travelled with her companions and, after meeting Hulumaniani, sailed with them toward Kauai. She told of her twin, her birth, and how Waka had hidden and raised her. When Aiwohikupua later sought her as a wife, she refused him. In Chapters XXIX–XXXI, after Kahalaomapuana returned with word from Kaonohiokala, Laieikawai acknowledged him as her husband and went with him to dwell in the heavens. At her request, Laielohelohe and her husband were spared and became rulers.

In Chapter XXXIV, Laieikawai and her parents-in-law discovered that Kaonohiokala had sinned with Laielohelohe. Laieikawai agreed to return to her sister and fill Kekalukaluokewa’s place. Moanalihaikawaokele gave her the name “The Woman of the Twilight,” and the text says she was thereafter worshiped by that name.