Keleanohoanaapiapi

Keleanohoanaapiapi was Hawaiian chiefess being the beautiful but capricious sister of Kawaokaohele, king of Maui. Many version of the legend of this surf riding Mauian princesses has been told. She was named Kelea, surnamed "Nohoanaapiapi" . [Abraham Fornander, An Account of the Polynesian Race: Its Origin and Migrations, Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1969. Page 79-87] Her name is sometimes given as Keleanuinohoanaapiapi

Early life

She was the daughter of Kahekili I and granddaughter of Kakae. Petted and wayward, this Mauian princesses scorned all suitors for her hand, preferring the music of the waves to any lover's whisper. Indeed, she so loved the water that she soon became known as the most daring surf swimmer in the kingdom. A battle with the waves was her favorite sport, and when her brother spoke to her of marriage she gaily answered that her surf board was her husband and she would never embrace any other. Even as she spoke, however, a wooer was in search of her. [The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal By Stephen Denison Page 172-173] Her story has a little resemblance to the Abduction of Helen of Troy without the ten year Trojan War between the two island kingdoms of Maui and Oahu.

Abduction of Kelea of Maui

There lived then at Oahu a chief named Lo-Lale, whose brother, Piliwale, was sovereign of the island. An amiable, handsome prince, Lo-Lale had reached the age of 35 without marrying. Piliwale, having no son, was naturally anxious that his brother should marry so that the royal line might be perpetuated, and Lo-Lale finally yielded to his importunities and consented that ambassadors of high rank should be sent to the neighboring islands in search of a suitable wife. Of these ambassadors the ablest and boldest was Lo-Lale's cousin, Kalamakua. He acted as leader, and before his departure he pledged himself to bring home to Lo-Lale a young and beautiful bride, and further vowed that he would marry her himself if Lo-Lale was not satisfied with her or if she was not satisfied with Lo-Lale. [The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal By Stephen Denison 173]

So all went well until the canoe of the Oahuan ambassadors reached Hamakuapoko. At Hana they had heard that Kawaokaohele, the King of Maui, was at that time stopping with his court and his chiefs at that same place. There, as luck would have it, they saw Kelea and her attendants swimming among the breakers. Swimming out beyond the surf, she encountered the canoe, and was at first somewhat surprised at these strangers. Then up rose Kalamakua and courteously invited the lovely maiden to take a seat in the canoe, offering to ride the surf with it to the beach — an exciting sport, requiring great skill. Kelea accepted the invitation and the canoe gallantly shot over the foaming surf and landed safely on the beach. All the sense of danger or mistrust being dispelled, the princess accompanied the caone again out over the surf, and again rode successfully ashore over the breakers, the attendants hurraying lustily at the brave and fearless style in which the canoe was handled. Urged by the applause of those on shore Kalamakua proposed to repeat the performance and Kelea willingly retained her seat. Again the daring feat was performed, and not till then did Kalamakua learn that his companion was the sister of the king of Maui. With increased respect he invited her to ride with him over the breakers once more, and she consented. Forth rode the canoe, but before it reached the breakers a squall struck it and drove it out upon the broad ocean. Then Kelea would have leaped into the sea had not Kalamakua restrained her and coaxed her into cowering down beside him at the bottom of the boat. How lovely she was he then saw, and he vowed to win her for his cousin Lo-Lale. But meanwhile the canoe was being swept far out to sea, and so great was the storm that death seemed at hand every moment. [The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal By Stephen Denison. Page174]

Days passed thus and still no sight of land. Kalamakua had by this time asked Kelea to become Lo-Lale's bride and her answer was that she could not act without her brother's approval. At last land was sighted and it chanced to be Kaoio Point, on the western side ot Oahu. Kalamakua at once sent word to Lo-Lale, and the next day Kelea and Lo-Lale met face to face. Lo-Lale was delighted with the maiden, and when she finally consented to become his wife without waiting to hear from her brother he was so overjoyed that he offered to divide his estates with Kalamakua as an evidence of gratitude. So the years passed, and none seemed happier than Lo-Lale and Kelea. But Kelea was not happy, even though she had three lovely children. She longed for the sen, and the place which seemed to please her above all others was Ewa, where Kalamakua made his seaside home. He and she met often and sailed together over the angry surf, and then only did Kelea seem to be really happy. Finally she told Lo-Lale that married life was irksome to her and that she intended to return to her brother's court. Though this blow broke his heart, as he suspected that she had given her heart to Kalamakua, he consented to a divorce and bade her farewell. [The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal By Stephen Denison Page 173-174]

Marriage to Kalamakua

On her way to her brother's court Kelea touched at Ewa, and straightway., overcome by her passion for the sea, plunged into the surf. There were many other bathers, but she excelled them all and was so loudly cheered that the shouts reached Kalamakua, and he went down and greeted her and learned from her that she had left Lo-Lale forever and was on her way to her brother's court. Then said Kalamakua: "When I went in search of a wile for Lo-Lale I promised that it he objected to the woman 1 brought or she to him I would take her myself. You have objected to him. Is Kalamakua better to your liking?" "I will remain at Ewa," was Kelea 's answer. So Kelea became the wile of Kalamakua, and soon afterward Lo-Lale sent her a present ot fruit and a message of peace and forgiveness. He and she never met again. In caring lor the welfare of his people Lo-Lale spent the remainder of his days, while Kelea and Kalamakua lived happily together and with their daughter, Laielohelohe, who inherited all her mother's famous beautv. [The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal By Stephen Denison 174] Her daughter would later married Piilani, Kelea's nephew, the King of Maui.

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