Kapoukahi...

When Kamehameha the Great could not wrest the rule of the Island of Hawai`i from his cousin, Keoua Ku`ahu`ula, he sent Ha`alo`u, the grandmother of his wife, Ka`ahumanu, to consult Kapoukahi. The priest was living at Kamoku, Waikiki.

Kapoukahi was skilled in reading signs and omens. Ha`alo`u offered the genealogy of her grandmother in exchange for a blessing for Kamehemeha; she asked for the prophet to tell her how Kamehameha could gain rule over all the Islands of Hawai`i.

Kapoukahi told her to have her son-in-law build a great house for his god at Pu`ukohola, and mark out its boundaries. "If he makes this house, he can gain the kingdom without a scratch to his own skin."

The prophecy he is said to have uttered was "war shall cease on Hawai`i when one shall come and shall be laid above on the altar (lele) of Pu`ukohol'a, the House of God." The death of Kamehameha's cousin came in 1791. Keoua Ku`ahu`ula was placed on the altar in the Heiau of Pu`ukohola, and the whole of Hawai`i became Kamehameha's, as predicted by Kapoukahi. (Hawaii Music Hall of Fame)

This past week I was able to share mea Hawai'i, Hawaiian artifacts, with a Kamehameha Schools High School woodshop class. The goal was to educate, enlighten and inspire the creativity of the students and reconnect them with the beautiful inspiration of the beloved kupuna.

It turned out to be a learning experience for me in some profound ways I didn't expect. I also shared some akua stones, some stones with spirits, and the prophecy stone of Kamehameha. Pohaku Wānana o Pai'ea. It wasn't until I arrived at the building that I realized the building was named Kapoukahi. Very befitting. When we finished, a hard male cleansing rain came down for several minutes and washed away the sins of the fathers. It was a beautiful release of Mana and hōʻailona from the Heavens...