An eight-fathom or longer rope was tied to a coconut tree which made a long high swing. The person swinging was dressed properly. A couple of persons pulled the swing. When the swing was high, the rider chanted to make the ride more enjoyable. The owner of the swing stipulated that a chant must be sung during the swinging.
Lele Koali
Lele koali means to swing from the convolvulus vine or plant.
Two Players
Players: Two
Equipment: A single rope with a stick placed across it
Rules:
One player sits on the stick placed across the rope.
Another player sits facing the first, astriding his legs.
Players are pulled by ropes from opposite sides.
The Long High Swing
Players: One rider; a couple of persons to pull
Equipment: An eight-fathom or longer rope tied to a coconut tree
Rules:
An eight-fathom or longer rope is tied to a coconut tree, making a long high swing.
The rider is dressed properly.
A couple of persons pull the swing.
When the swing is high, the rider chants to make the ride more enjoyable.
The owner of the swing stipulates that a chant must be sung during the swinging.
The Chants of the Swing
The following is the first chant:
At Kaula, the border of Koolau;
Separated is the Koolau
Separated is precipitous Hilo,
The Hoolua and the Moae arise,
The Moae which plows the sea and makes it billowy.
The sea is billowy and boisterous by the wind.
The billows are tempestuous,
The waves being active.
Majestically stands the sun reflected through the sea-spray.
The sea-spray which mounts the cliffs of Okalakala,
The ends of the tempest.
The food of life is saved by the wind,
The uhu of Hanalailai is caught in the calm.
The tree-belted cliffs of Kealakehe kowea
Are frowned upon by the breeze,
In time breaking the crest thereof.
When this chant was completed, the gathering of people quieted down to a silence. Then the following chant was sung:
Wounded is Waimea by the piercing wind.
Which penetrates the path of the Kipuupuu.
The bud of the purple ohai is drooping;
Jealous and grieved is the flower of the koaie;
Pained is the woods of Waika;
O Love! Waika loves me as a lover;
Like unto a lover is the flower of Koolau;
It is the flower in the woods of Mahele.
The woods is a place of journeying
The wild pili grass has its abode in the forests,
Life is but a simple round at Kahua.
O Love! Love it was which came to me;
Whither has it vanished?
O Love! Farewell.
After the swinging and the chanting, the people sat down to a feast. They then left or dispersed after the feast.
Hiku Descends to Milu
When Kawelu discovered her lover, Hiku, had left her, she was so distracted with grief that she refused to be comforted, and would not eat. After many days had passed, she died. Hiku returned upon hearing the news and wept bitterly over the dead body of Kawelu. It was too late for Kawelu's spirit had departed to the nether world which was ruled over by Milu. Hiku decided to try the dangerous descent into that world, and if possible, bring her back.
With the help of friends, he gathered great quantities of kowali, or convolvulus vine. He also prepared a hallowed coconut shell, splitting it into two tightly fitting parts. Then smearing himself with a mixture of rancid coconut and kukui nut oil, which gave him a very strong corpse-like odor, he started with his companions in a canoe for a point in the sea where the sky and water meet.
Arriving at the spot, he had his friends lower him with the kowali vine as he sat astride the cross-stick of the swing. Soon he entered the great cavern where those who had departed were gathered. As he came among the spirits, their curiosity was aroused to learn who he was. Even Milu, himself, sat among the crowd and was completely deceived by the odor of the rancid oil. One ghost in particular watched Hiku most earnestly; it was Kawelu, his sweetheart. Recognizing him and gaining permission from Milu, she darted to him and swung with him on the kowali swing. Even she had to turn her face away because of the strong smell.
On Hiku's signal, his friends above rapidly drew them upwards. When Kawelu saw the great distance beneath her, she was about to dart away but Hiku quickly captured her spirit in the coconut shells he had made.
With their precious captive, they returned to the shore and upon landing, Hiku returned at once to the house where the still body of his beloved lay. Kneeling by its side, he made a hole in the big toe of the left foot and forced the reluctant spirit in. Regardless of its desperate struggles, Hiku tied up the wound so that the spirit could not escape from the cold, clammy flesh. Then he began to lomilomi, or rub and chafe the foot, working the spirit further and further up into the body.
Gradually, as the heart was reached, the breath of life flowed through the body, and Kawelu was restored to consciousness. Upon seeing her lover, Kawelu remembered not the nether world of Milu. Great joy filled the hearts of the people as they welcomed her back. Kawelu and her hero, Hiku, were no more separated.
Makahiki Games
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Sources
Lorrin Andrews, A Dictionary of the Hawaiian Language
Mary K. Pukui and S. Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary
Stewart Culin, "Hawaiian Games"
Abraham Fornander, Hawaiian Antiquities and Folk-Lore
Thos. G. Thrum, Hawaiian Folk Tales