La`ieikawai
Encyclopedia
In Hawaiian mythology
, Laieikawai (Lāie-i-ka-wai) and her twin sister La'ielohelohe were born in Lāie, Oahu
. They were seprarated and hidden away from their chiefly father who had all his daughters killed at birth, because he wanted a first born son. La'ieikawai was hidden in a cave which was only accessed by diving in pool of water named Waiapuka. Soon it was well known that someone of royalty resided nearby because of the tell-tale rainbow that graced the sky above her cave dwelling. Her grandmother, Waka, secretly tried to smuggle her to Paliuli
, Puna, Hawaii island. On the way there others heard of her beauty and the rumors travelled all throughout the islands. Aiwohikupua, a chief from the island of Kauai
decided he would pursue her. At her home in Paliuli, Laieikawai was attended by supernatural birds such as the 'i'iwi polena. It is said she could float on the wings of the birds. While other royalty in Hawai'i had mere feather capes and cloaks, Paliuli had a house made of the sacred feathers. After a series of misfortunes, she becomes known as Kawahineliula (woman of the twilight).
Hawaiian mythology
Hawaiian mythology refers to the legends, historical tales and sayings of the ancient Hawaiian people. It is considered a variant of a more general Polynesian mythology, developing its own unique character for several centuries before about 1800. It is associated with the Hawaiian religion...
, Laieikawai (Lāie-i-ka-wai) and her twin sister La'ielohelohe were born in Lāie, Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
. They were seprarated and hidden away from their chiefly father who had all his daughters killed at birth, because he wanted a first born son. La'ieikawai was hidden in a cave which was only accessed by diving in pool of water named Waiapuka. Soon it was well known that someone of royalty resided nearby because of the tell-tale rainbow that graced the sky above her cave dwelling. Her grandmother, Waka, secretly tried to smuggle her to Paliuli
Paliuli
In Hawaiian mythology, Paliuli is the equivalent of the Garden of Eden, a legendary paradise and the home of Princess Laieikawai . It was used for several place names, including a sugar mill owned by Henry Perrine Baldwin...
, Puna, Hawaii island. On the way there others heard of her beauty and the rumors travelled all throughout the islands. Aiwohikupua, a chief from the island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
decided he would pursue her. At her home in Paliuli, Laieikawai was attended by supernatural birds such as the 'i'iwi polena. It is said she could float on the wings of the birds. While other royalty in Hawai'i had mere feather capes and cloaks, Paliuli had a house made of the sacred feathers. After a series of misfortunes, she becomes known as Kawahineliula (woman of the twilight).