Culture

"Kona Kai Opua" by Henry Waiua

This mele tells of a love affair between Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and a woman of rank. It sings of the places and activities of Kona and compares them to the deep emotions of love. Known as Kona of the tranquil seas, the opua or pink cumulus cloud formations that hang low, are regarded as omens of good fortune and good weather. Hinano is the blossom of the male pandanus tree and was used as an aphrodisiac. Na`u is a game of Kona where the children chant "na`u" and hold their breath until the sun disappears. Ho'olulu was an ancient chief of Kona.

Kalaninui Liholiho (Heaven's Great Glowing) was the child of Kamehameha I and Keopuolani, the most sacred and highest born of his wives. Trained to be king, he inherited the throne at an early age and co-ruled with Kaahumanu, the Kuhina Nui. Liholiho's third and favorite wife was Kamamalu, his half sister. Nov. 27, 1823, the King and Kamamalu boarded the English ship L'Aigle, the first of the Hawaiian Royals to travel abroad. This tragic state visit with King George of England was to gain political and commercial knowledge to better enable Liholiho to govern his kingdom that had attracted many foreigners. When the royal party arrived in England 6 months later, it was discovered that more that half of the $25,000 they carried had been stolen. Before they had an audience with the English Monarch, the Hawaiians were struck with measles. Queen Kamamalu died July 8, 1824 followed by the death of King Liholiho, July 14. Like all Hawaiians, they had no immunity to diseases.