Kamehameha - Hole Waimea

Hau'oli Lā Kamehameha, Happy Kamehameha Day to you all. We’ve learned of Kamehameha’s auspicious birth and his childhood days lived in isolation. Later, King Alapaÿi had a change of heart and Kamehameha was brought out of seclusion and into the chief’s court. He became a student of the great warrior, Kekūhaupi'o. Kamehameha quickly became one of the most skilled warriors of his time. Captain George Vancouver recorded seeing 6 spears hurled at Kamehameha at one time. Three he caught with one hand, two he broke with the other hand and one he dodged. An amazing feat! On the island of Hawai'i he was known for his Kipu'upu'u warriors, a band of runners named after the cold wind that blows from Mauna Kea and chills the district of Waimea. Like Kamehameha, these warriors were trained in spear fighting and would travel to the uplands of Mahiki to gather wood for their spears and while doing so they would sing mele aloha, songs of love, instead of songs of war. This story is captured in the traditional mele inoa or name chant, Hole Waimea. Later, the chant was recorded as a mele 'auana and titled, Waikā. No laila, may we all take some time today to reflect upon the life of this great warrior and chief, Kamehameha. Aloha nō, a hui hou. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AND DOWNLOAD THE MORNING MANA'O PODCAST