The "ORAL TRADITIONS" of our Culture passes on from one Generation to another... by being the Story Teller -- KAULUWEHI passes his knowledge on to his Mo`opuna -- and thus the knowledge is bestowed... like the following story.

The modern day name for the uninhabited island seen off the coast of Wailea, Maui is Kaho`olawe, though our chants tell us that its ancient name was Kanaloa. Kanaloa was a primordial god from antiquities, and was the deity for the ocean, its animals, fresh water, salt water, and all the growth on earth and in the sea. On the northwest side of Kaho`olawe is Ahupu Bay, whose west point is called Lae O Na Kohola, or Cape of Whales.

The Kohola (whale) was well known to the early Hawaiians. In the Kumulipo chant -- the Hawaiian chant of creation --- the Second Era speaks of the birth of the whale: "Hanau ka palaoa noho I kai" --- born is the whale living in the ocean. And the pauku, or poetic passages, addresses the familiar scene in native Hawaiian culture of whales parading through the 'Alalakeiki Channel between Maui and Kaho`olawe. This seasonal phenomenon reminds us constantly that from the time of our native Hawaiian ancestral migration, Kanaloa and his many ocean forms were continuously associated with the island Kanaloa.

The whale is the largest ocean form, and a majestic manifestation of Kanaloa. From the ivory of this creature, the highly prized niho palaoa was worn by the Ali`i (Chiefs) of high rank. The scarcity and beauty of the niho lei palaoa and its connection to Kanaloa brought mana (spiritual power) to the carver, to the pendant itself, and eventually to the wearer of the pendant. The ALI`I possessed this kinolau or body form of this great god, would themselves acquire the characteristics, intelligence and knowledge of the god. Therefore, it would be advantageous for any Ali`i to secure the ivory whale tooth of this Kanaloa body form.

The Kohola is revered in modern day Hawai`i not only by the thousands of whale watchers, but by the native Hawaiians who still consider it as one of Kanaloa`s magnificent creations. In 1990, I was one of the fortunate ones that was touched by the Kohola. Several of us were involved in relocating the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Honokahua. Originally, the hotel was supposed to be built over ancient Hawaiian burial grounds. After strong objections from the Hawaiian community, it was relocated to its present site.

I was one of seven people chosen to rewrap the thousands of remains that had been dug up. The remains dated between A.D. 850 and the early 1800's. There were numerous Niho Lei Palaoa (whale tooth necklaces), from one to six inches in length. This would indicate that royalty of all ages were interred with their symbols of nobility.

In 1991 a very spiritual incident occurred on the last night that we buried the last remains at Honokahua. At midnight we were ready to start our burial rituals when we heard a loud slapping coming from Honokahua Bay. As we looked over the hill into the bay we saw an outline of a whale lying on its side, rhythmically hitting the water with its pectoral fin. After about 15 minutes it stopped, and we went back to the burial pit. As we started our ceremonies, several owls flew over head and screamed, then headed for the mountains. This was the Ho`ailona, the sign that our Kupuna where back reunited with their Iwi, bones. While the burials were taking place, a song came to me which tells of the nights events. The name of the song is Ka Ho`ailona (the sign) which was recorded by the Pandanus Club in 1992, from the CD called, 'Te Tama.' In English it says: