SIX PRIZE

Hawaiian Stories

OF THE

KILOHANA ART LEAGUE

Honolulu:
Hawaiian Gazette Company
1899

CONTENTS

Chapter I.

uhea oe, Nalima? Elua nahae hou o kuu lole!"^[1] "Auwe, pela?"^[2] replied the old woman addressed, taking at the same time from Kalani's hands a coat that might best be described as one of many colors. The old man seated himself on the floor of the little hut, and gazed at this same coat in a manner savoring of dejection. "Yes," he said, "while I was digging around the taro down by the stream, I left it hanging on a branch of the big kukui tree, but when I returned to put it on, I found that it had blown off, caught on a piece of bark and torn that hole. Do you think you can mend it so that I can wear it on Sunday? You know I have no other. Pilikia maoli!" (sad plight), and Kalani gave a grunt that embodied many emotions.

[1]: "Where are you, Nalima? Here are two new rents in my clothes!"

[2]: "Oh dear! is that so?"

Nalima's small, slightly withered hands were turning the coat tenderly. Patch had already been placed upon patch, nearly every one differing in material and color from the original fabric, which was a cotton twill, and the bleachings of sun and soap had added variety in many shades of blue and brown.

Yes, she had a little piece of blue flannel left that would just fit this new rent, she mused, and the whole thing must be washed again. She was sure she could have it ready to wear that same night. This hopeful view enabled her old husband to start again with his o-o (Hawaiian spade) for the garden patch. He removed his tattered hat as he went, revealing a head of fine proportions. The forehead was high and full, and the top bald and shining. Soft, white locks clustered in his neck, and a white beard several inches in length gave a distinguished look to his face. Patience looked from his soft dark eyes and the expression about his mouth was kind and firm. The small rush mat which Nalima had been braiding when Kalani arrived with his tale of woe was laid aside, and, from a very meager supply of housewifely stores, a needle, thread, and bit of flannel were produced. Her dim eyes strained themselves to adjust the patch to the torn edges, and her trembling hands set the stitches with patient effort. Meanwhile the thoughts of the old wife wandered into the past. The long-ago was a happy time to re-live. When they were young, in Kauikeaouli's time, Kalani had been a kanaka nui (great man) among Hawaiians. He had been a luna (overseer) in their valley and had directed the konohiki (chief's resident land-agent) labor for years. His own kuliana (land-holding) was a large one, and the rights of the stream for some acres were his. He in his turn controlled the work of others for himself. Their house was large and high and had a window of glass in one end; the hikie (bedstead) was a pile of mats soft and fine, and the bedding was of the finest kapa.