Kamalo was one of the priests of the high chief Kupa, on the island of Molokai. Kupa had a house built within temple walls in the valley called Mapulehu, which ended in the harbor, now called Aikanaka. Kamalo's temple was a short distance away in the village of Kaluaaha, which faced the channel between Molokai and Maui.
Kamalo had two sons who thrived in the village and delighted in the colors of the sunrise and sunset. They possessed the very courage of the sky and the sea, and accomplished great deeds of daring. Kamalo taught them the ways of the temple, and they knew that those things sacred to the gods, must not be touched.
Chief Kupa came to his home in the valley during certain seasons, and everyone knew he was there when they heard the beating of his drums. In his home, two very special drums were kept. It was with skill that he could communicate his thoughts to his priests through he beating of those drums.
It was during a fishing trip when Kupa was away for an extended time, that Kamalo's
sons decided to see the chief's great drums for themselves. They raced along the
beach and climbed over the ridge to Kupa's heiau (temple). They entered the chief's
home and marveled at the magnificent drums. They ran their hands over the craftmanship
and tapped ever so lightly with their fingertips. However, temptation proved too great,
and the boys began to beat upon the drums with enthusiasm.
Several of Kupa's followers heard the drums, but dared not enter the chief's heiau. Instead, they waited and watched when the boys took their leave. Upon Kupa's return, his followers told him of the boys' transgression. The chief became angered and called upon his mu (temple sacrifice seekers) to take the lives of the boys and present their bodies at the alter in sacrifice.
When Kamalo learned of the death of his sons, a heavy bitterness filled his heart and his will became bent on revenge. He realized that he was no match for Kupa, so he consulted with prophets and seers throughout Molokai. He prepared gifts and sacrifices, making his way from one prophet to another. Each one was fearful of Kupa and would not help Kamalo, instead sending him on to another prophet.
Kamalo was determined and pressed onward. Eventually, he came to the cliffs overlooking Kalaupapa and Kalawao. At the bottom stood a heiau dedicated to the great shark god, Kauhuhu. Kamalo climbed down the precipice and approached the priest of the temple.
"Go to the great cliffs below Kalawao, to the cave called Anapuhi, the Cave of the Eel. There
you will find the great shark god, Kauhuhu, guarded by Waka and Mo-o, his dragon watchers.
Gaining his favor is your only hope to avenge your sons." The priest could give him no further
help. Kamalo trudged his way to the cave of his last hope, a black pig slung across his shoulders.
These final miles took a toll on him and left him weary to the bone.
The shark god's watchers saw Kamalo approaching and told each other that a fish was coming to be eaten by their master. But something in Kamalo's expression won their sympathy and they called to him to go way from this place, lest he lose his life.
"I seek revenge for my sons, "Kamalo said, "I have no care for myself." Then he proceeded to tell them how Chief Kupa had his sons slain for beating his drums. He described his travels throughout Molokai in search of a force powerful enough to help him. He told them that Kauhuhu was his last hope and that if he was refused, he had no wish to live.
Waka and Mo-o contemplated Kamalo's story and their hearts were heavy for him.
"We shall help you," Waka said, "but in so doing, we forfeit our own lives if your cause does not please our master. You must do just as we say."
"Hide in the rubbish pile there." Instructed Mo-o. "Watch for eight great waves to come in from the ocean. Kauhuhu will arrive on the last one. If he sees you, he will eat you before you have a chance to speak. So, you must be absolutely silent until an opportunity is made clear."
Kamalo did not have to wait long, for the surf began to roll in. Waves crashed against the cliffs, climbing higher and higher until the eighth one rose up and was caught by the wind. In a great gust, spray and foam were carried into the cave and suddenly, the sharkgod was there. Before the wind even died down, Kauhuhu took his human form.
"I smell a man!" His voice thundered against the cave walls. "Where is he?"
Waka and Mo-o assured him that no man was among them, but the shark god searched the cave walls and peered into every shadow before he was satisfied. Just as he turned his attention away from the matter, the black pig squealed. Kauhuhu leaped into the rubbish heap and plucked up Kamalo. In an instant, Kamalo found himself halfway into the shark god's mouth.
"E, Kauhuhu, listen to my prayer. Then you can eat me!" Kamalo cried.
Surprised and intrigued, Kauhuhu released Kamalo and agreed to listen to his story, which Kamalo told in detail. As he reached the conclusion, describing how he was turned away by all the prophets of all the gods, Kauhuhu was overcome with pity.
"Had you come here for any other purpose, you would have been killed." Kauhuhu said. "But your cause is sacred and therefore you are the only man who has stood in my presence and kept his life. I will be your kahu, your guardian, and I will punish those who have acted against your sons."
Kauhuhu accepted Kamalo's offer of the black pig. Then Kamalo received his instructions. His first task was to go back to the heiau of the shark god. From there he had to carry the priest over the cliffs to his own heiau at Kaluaaha. They were to build a special fence and put up the sacred white tapa kapu staffs. Then, when they had amassed four hundred black pigs, four hundred red fish and four hundred white chickens, they were to wait for the arrival of the shark god.
They would see a white cloud on the island of Lanai, unlike any they had seen before. When the cloud grew to cover the island, it would move against the wind until it reached the peaks above Mapulehu Valley. Then a great rainbow would reach across the valley and Kauhuhu would be there to mete out punishment and avenge Kamalo's sons.
Kamalo made his way to the shark god's heiau on swift feet. He carried the priest up the cliffs to his home in Kaluaaha. There, he took care of the priest as they built the fence, put up the kapu staffs and gathered the pigs, fish and chickens. Kamalo called all those close to him together to live within the enclosure. Then he waited with his eyes toward Lanai.
Weeks grew into months as Kamalo waited with patience. Then one day, a white cloud appeared, different than any he had seen before. It grew rapidly and then began to move. It came across the channel and rested in the highest peaks above the valley where Kupa lived. A magnificent rainbow appeared spanning the entire valley and Kamalo knew that Kuahuhu had arrived.
The winds picked up until they became a howling gale. Black clouds rolled in, flashing with lightening and unleashing torrents of rain. It was a terrible storm. The most devastating storm the land had ever seen. The rain flooded down the mountain, destroying everything in its path. Kupa's heiau and house were torn apart, and he was swept into the ocean along with his followers. There, Kauhuhu's people waited in the bay. The water teemed with sharks that fed on Kupa and the villagers until the harbor turned red. Thereafter the harbor was called Aikanaka, or man-eater.
The storm raged on, destroying the surrounding area, yet turning from the kapu staff and leaving everything inside of Kamalo's sacred fence untouched. Thus, Kamalo and his people were spared.
It is said that when great clouds gather in the mountains, and a rainbow spans the valley, watch out for sudden storms that sweep down the valley.
By Genesis
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