Note 18 — Introductory material

When the old men heard this from Kaoleioku they became very sad and for some time they bowed their heads down in shame, then they looked up and said to Kaoleioku: “Nothing will ever cover this shame.” Kaoleioku answered, saying: “Is he such a rich chief that I should make much of him? He is a poor chief, and the most he can do for you is to serve you two.” The old men then said: “We have no riches nor property to give him in return for his service; the only great property in our keeping is the whole of the island of Hawaii; let that be our present then to the chief Umi.” Kaoleioku replied: “How can it be possible for Umi to get the kingdom, for you two have seen for yourselves that the men are not of sufficient number to go to battle? In case of war Hakau will probably be victorious, for he has all the men at his command, and owns the whole of Hawaii.” The old men replied: “Hakau is already defeated;18 he shall not live. On the day when the kapu for the gods is come, that will be the day when he shall die. He shall not escape. We will send the people to the mountain, leaving the king at home by himself, his steward and us two. That will be all who will remain.”