HAWAII NATURE NOTES
THE PUBLICATION OF THE
NATURALIST DIVISION, HAWAII NATIONAL PARK
AND THE HAWAII NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

WOULD MOVE NAHA STONE

Then up rose Kamehameha and said: "Thou hast spoken the truth indeed, for I have come to try and move the Naha Stone, for by that symbol I shall attain success and live, or shall meet that which will bare my bones."

And when the night was spent and the morning was fully come, the whole company, with the high chiefs of Hilo, and Kalaniwahine the prophetess, came to where the Naha Stone lay.

And while they were journeying thither, the high princess Ululani spoke to Kamehameha, saying: "O, Prince, thou knowest, perchance, that this stone is sacred to those of the Naha blood, and they are the only persons who may ascend it and move it. Now thou, dear Prince, belongest not to the royal family of Naha, but to the royal family of Niu-pio, and it may be that this will hinder thee in the moving of the stone."

But Kamehameha answered never a word, and presently they were come to the temple of Pinao, in front of which the Naha Stone lay. And Kamehameha came and stood by the stone, and when he had seen its great size, he uttered a heavy sigh, and spake these words:

"Now do I perceive that this is indeed no stone, but a mountain, and perchance I may not be able to move it. Moreover, it is said that only they of the royal Naha line may essay the task. Howbeit, I will put forth my strength, and if I fall, then it can be truly said that this stone belongs to the Naha line by law, and if I succeed. then by my strength and favor of the gods my success will be attained."

PROPHETESS PROPHECIES

And even as he spake these words, they who stood by were stricken with fear, for his face flushed red as with blood, and fire appeared to flash from his eyes, so that the fear spread even among the high chiefs who gazed upon him.

Then Kamehameha prepared himself for the ordeal, examining his hands and the stone that he might see how best to accomplish his purpose. And Kalaniwahine, taking hold of his hands, spake encouraging words unto him and said unto him:

"If indeed the Naha Stone shall be this day moved by thee, then shall the whole group of islands, from Hawaii to Kauai be moved, but if indeed it shall be moved and turned from its resting place, then shall all dissensions be removed, and thou and thy people and thy prophetess shall live and shall dwell henceforth in peace forever. For this is the prophecy of the Naha Stone, O Prince, so get thee to thy great task."

And now, as the people and all assembled, watched Kamehameha closely, he placed his hands under the stone and began to move them so that he might better take hold. Which being done, he cried these words:

"Naha Stone art thou:
And by Naha Prince only may thy, sacredness be broken.
Now behold, I am Kamehameha, a Niu-pio
A spreading mist of the forest."

Then gripped he the stone and leaned over it, and as he leaned, great strength came into him and he struggled yet more fiercely, so that the blood burst from his eyes and from the tips of his fingers, and the earth trembled with the might of his struggling, so that they who stood by believed that an earthquake came to his assistance.

THE STONE IS TURNED

And he put forth all his strength. and, behold, the stone did move under his arms, and he raised it on its side and with supernatural strength did over turn it, so that all who stood by were amazed and dumb with awe.

Afterwards went Kamehameha with Ululani and his relative Keaweokahikona to the house, and a great feast was prepared and all the men did sit down together and eat with their followers assembled. And when they had made an end of feasting, Keaweokahikona did take hold on the hands of Kamehameha, and greeted him lovingly with words of kindness.

"Love to thee, Kamehameha my relative. Listen to these my words. For that this day ye have done a great deed whereat all men may wonder, now do I declare unto thee that henceforth shalt thou be my chief man in battle, and to thee will I give all my art in war, and teach thee many things. Therefore, let us live together as relatives and let there ever be peace between us. Behold, my girdle, I give to thee, and thine shalt thou give to me that friendship and love is established between us, and that in remembrance we may live in peace hereafter."

This, then, is the story of the Naha Stone, which lies by the library in Hilo today for all to see.

KAMEHAMEHA THE GREAT

Students of Hawaiian history know that the promise made by Keaweokahikona to Kamehameha was nobly fulfilled, for did not Keaweokahikona forsake his own father's side in battle and cleave to Kamehameha?

And in the wars fought by Kamehameha, his relative was ever by his side until he was poisoned by one of his chiefs. This act was heavily punished by Kamehameha, who greatly loved Keaweokahikona, and it is known that in all the subsequent battles, Kamehameha used the favorite spear of his relative for the preservation and maintenance of his honor.

The fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the Naha Stone attracted all the high chiefs and the greatest warriors to Kamehameha's standard, and this, in conjunction with the immunity from harm, and the apparent favor with which the young Prince was regarded by the gods, caused him to embark upon the long series of conquests which made him King of all the group of the islands, and made his name revered for justice and equity and high statesmanship among all who have learned to know and love the Hawaiian race.