Note 48 — Mele Inoa no Kihapiilani.

The somewhat frequent use of this word aikanaka (man eater) in the chants lead to the supposition of its being a qualification rather than a name, or worse, a record of cannibalism. It occurs elsewhere in a similar manner with reference to Kawelo who, besides defeating the chief of this name on Kauai, was clearly a consumer of men in his victories over his opponents. Its use in this chant, in this sense, shows Kuaiwa as the consumer of men for Kamakaholani, being his successful general. In confirmation of this view it may be stated that it stands in the same relation to the chiefs mentioned as does the term alii aimoku, chiefs of a certain rank who took the products of the land without giving any returns; virtually land consumers. ↑