Hawaiian Legends of Dreams by Caren Loebel-Fried

Author:Caren Loebel-Fried
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Published: 2016-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

Meanwhile, Halemano’s oldest sister, Laenihi, was on the Island of Hawai‘i in search of a wife for Halemano. Laenihi was gifted with special powers and hearing her grandmother’s wails from that great distance, she knew instantly that her brother had died. Laenihi traveled as quickly as she could to reach her brother. By his side, she prayed to their akua and ‘aumākua, their gods and guardians, to restore her brother’s life. After she completed her prayers, Halemano opened his eyes.

Laenihi observed Halemano with grave concern as he rested on his sleeping mats. Finally, she asked, “What happened, Halemano? What caused you to die?”

Halemano raised his eyes to his sister’s face. “It was the woman of my dreams,” he replied. “I am with her every night as I sleep. She is the perfect woman. I want to stay sleeping and dreaming so I can be with her.”

Laenihi shook her head at Halemano. “The perfect woman? For a dream woman, you stopped eating?” She frowned at her younger brother. “Well, tell me about this ‘perfect’ woman of your dreams.”

Halemano described to Laenihi everything he remembered about the woman, the details that had burned so deep an impression in his mind. His eyes looked off to a distant, dreaming world. She listened carefully and when Halemano was through, Laenihi asked, “What is your dream woman’s name?” Halemano looked down and sighed. “I know her name as I dream, but it is gone the instant I awaken.”

Laenihi pursed her lips and squinted upward. “Her pā‘ū might be that special scented kind called pele or māhuna made on the Island of Kaua‘i.” She paused and then continued. “There is also pūkohukohu, a kapa made in Puna, on the Island of Hawai‘i, which is dyed red from the bark of the noni plant. And there is the ‘ō‘ūholowaioLa‘a, a famous sweet-scented kapa made to have a different color on each side.” Laenihi smiled, enjoying the puzzle, then spoke faster. “The lehua blossoms from her head lei could be from the ‘ōhi‘a trees in Hilo and Puna, also on the Island of Hawai‘i. And fragrant hala trees grow there as well, from which her lei could have been made. I think your dream woman is from that area of Hawai‘i Island. But, still,” she said haltingly, “I do not know for sure.” Then, with sparkling eyes, Laenihi said, “Why don’t you moe, sleep, and ask your dream woman where she is from and what she is called?”

Halemano nodded at his clever sister and closed his eyes. Laenihi watched as his breathing slowed and grew deeper. Soon, his lips parted slightly and he whispered, “She is from Kapoho and her name is Kama-lālā-walu.” And then he awoke.

Laenihi studied her brother in silence, frowning slightly. Finally, she spoke. “Halemano,” she said, “there are a multitude of stars in the great canopy of the sky and some sparkle more brightly than others, but it may be only a passing cloud that dulls the shine of the subtler stars.” She paused

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