I recently had the good fortune to run across a post by ʻOhu Gon concerning the nature and form of hōʻailona. While I donʻt make much effort to go out looking for the signs in my everyday life, once in a while, they appear and I cannot help but acknowledge them.Recently, Iʻve been listening to Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomaluʻs oli, and I always went back to Ke Kaua A Kūkauakahi. Initially, a friend had sent me the songs because I was looking for something ma ka ʻōlelo to fire me up. The paʻi on the ʻipu is perfect; the tone is powerful.Still, I didnʻt recognize what the oli described. I picked up things here and there, but the most important part, who Kūkauakahi was, escaped me.Later on, I came across ʻOhuʻs post, which was excellent reading. Another post he made caught my eye, sitting in the sidebar. It spoke of pueo who allowed themselves to be see and accompanied him in providing mana for his oli to Lono. A great story, definitely something that I would look forward to experiencing if ever possible.Still later on, I was reading through Beckwithʻs book on Hawaiian mythology, and I happened across the moʻolelo of Kūkauakahi, the ʻaumakua, who was a pueo. Iʻd come full circle! Suddenly, all these pieces seemed to fall into place. I had my answer.Perhaps Iʻm reading too much into these things, but to me, it seems like I was supposed to have the question and receive the answer that I did."Ke Kaua A Kaūakahi"‘Ahulu O’ahu i ka nui hulu manuKulokuloku maila i ke one kaulanaKe lele maila i ko KalapueoKuka’i i na pae pohaku o Makapu’uKe ihola i ko KanoniakapueoKuala i ka Malailua o Nu’uanuKe ho’ala a’ela i PueohulunuiHaele loa akula i KupaiahaEia ‘o Kapo’i la ua pa’aUa hopuhia e KakuhihewaKupukupu ka ualo e he’uhe’u eNa leo pa’epu i lohelohe ‘ia‘O ka pueo lele kaha i’o i ‘ane’iWawalu me ka ‘eheu a me ka miki ‘ao‘Auhe’e na koa a’o KakuhihewaUa puehu la me ke one kaulanaE ola ka inoa no Kapo’iKe o nei no keia inoa------------------Oʻahu appears feathered by feathersFalling forth on the famed sandsThere flew those of Kalapueo shrineRising from the stones of MakapuʻuThose of Kanoniakapueo shrine descendSomersaulting in the gusty Nuʻuanu windThe Pueohulunui flock is arousedAway they all go to Kupaiaha heiauHere is the caught KapoʻiCaptured by KakuhihewaThe hooting cry buildsThe deafening sound is heardThe owl that swoops here and thereClaws with wing and talonThe warriors of Kakuhihewa flee in fearScattered like the famous sandsLong lives the name KapoʻiThat name still survives
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