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Fornander collection of Hawaiian antiquities and folk-lore, Volume 2 (of 3)

Note 3 — CONTENTS (continued 4)

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Aiohikupua then boasted, saying to Ihuanu: “I am not going to stand up and box with you unless you have three on your side. And what do I care for you and the people that have gathered here? I can turn this crowd into nothing with my left hand.” Because of these words of Aiohikupua, one of the strong men in Kohala who had come to witness the games came up behind Aiohikupua and said to him: “Say, don’t get Ihuanu angry, for he is the strongest man in Kohala; there is nothing kept away from him when he asks.” At this Aiohikupua pushed him to one side3 whereby the man was killed. Upon seeing this, one of the warriors came up behind Ihuanu and said to him: “Say, Ihuanu, we see that our side will not be victorious this day. I am sure the stranger will win out, because one of our companions is killed by just receiving a mere push. Therefore I beg of you that the crowd be dispersed and the games brought to an end and you withdraw your challenge and meet the stranger in a kindly way and shake hands, and in that way save yourself.”4 By these words the hot anger in Ihuanu was rekindled, and so he replied: “Say, my men, don’t be afraid because of the death of that man from the push he received. Did I not do the very same thing some few days ago? Then why should you all be afraid? But if you are afraid, then go and hide your faces in the sky; and if you should hear that Ihuanu is victorious, remember it was by the blow known as Kanikapihe,5 the blow the teacher has not instructed you of, for I see he will not be able to overcome me, for I hear the end of my loin cloth snap6 behind me.” His companions then said to him: “We have nothing more to say to you, we have done our part. Stand up then and face your opponent; perhaps you will be saved by means of the blow your teacher has not instructed us of, and perhaps the end of your loin cloth did tell you the truth.”7 With this the companions of Ihuanu retired to the outer edge of the crowd.

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