Note 36 — CONTENTS (continued 4)

When Kepakailiula heard this, he said to his friend: “Then call him to come this way.” “But he is unfit to be seen; he smells bad, for he eats nothing but the king’s excrement.” Kepakailiula, however, insisted, telling his friend: “You call him to come here, for I wish to see him.” Because of this wish Kaunalewa called out to Kukaea to come. Kukaea then turned toward them and when at some distance away, he said: “It is not proper for me to come any nearer, for I am not fit for your company;36 I smell bad, for I have had nothing else for food except the king’s excrement, to this day.” Kepakailiula, however, called out to him: “Come here, don’t be afraid or have any fear.” When Kukaea came up Kepakailiula asked him: “Open your mouth?” Kukaea then opened his mouth and Kepakailiula poured water into his mouth and on his body and told him to wash himself and be rid of the foul odor of his body. Kepakailiula then gave him some kapas and a loin cloth, and set food and meat before him. Kukaea then sat down and ate until he was satisfied. When he finished his meal, he turned and said to Kepakailiula: “What shall I give you as payment for this great kindness? Here I have lived from my birth to this day with my king and have just completed the circuit of Kauai, but no one has ever given me food to eat. I have at last found that food and meat are indeed pleasant to the taste. Therefore here is what I shall give you in return for your kindness. I will give you the answer to the king’s riddle, for I am the only person that knows the answer. The riddle is this: it is divided into two parts and therefore has two answers: