Kahekili & The Art of Lele Kawa

Aloha pumehana kākou e nā hoa pepeiao! We continue with our series on the great chief Kahekili by exploring the art of Lele Kawa. Lele Kawa is the sport jumping feet first off of cliffs into the water below with the least amount of splash possible. Lele Kawa can also be jumping from smaller hills onto the soft soil below. Although our ancestors were probably diving off of cliffs even before Kahekili's time, this great chief made this sport famous and talked about throughout the world. It was one of his favorite pastimes and he especially enjoyed challenging his warriors to jump after him. There are two spots here on Maui called Kahekili's leap. The first is in Kahakuloa and the second in Kā'anapali at the rock peninsula known as Pu'u Keka'a, or commonly called today, Black Rock. Now Kahekili was known to jump from heights of 200-300 feet. Pu'u Keka'a is significantly lower in height but what makes this leap so important is the spiritual essence of this place. Pu'u Keka'a is a leina or 'uhane lele, where the spirits of those who have passed on leap from this life into the ancestral realm. It is also where our iwi kūpuna were laid to rest, the bones of our ancestors. No one dared to walk out onto the jagged rocks, let alone jump from it's heights. When Kahekili leaped from Pu'u Keka'a, with no harm falling upon him, he became God like in the eyes of his warriors and his people. His mana was evident to all who witnessed this great feat. Again we see just how powerful this ali'i was. Eō Kahekilinui'ahumanu. Join us tomorrow as we conclude our series in honor of Kahekili. Aloha nō, a hui hou. CLICK HERE to listen to and download the Morning Mana'o Podcast.