Maui and Pimoe
Aloha e ka poe heluhelu,
I hope you have enjoyed the legend of Maui Akalana because this is where our story ends. For future reference, this is just one version of the moolelo of Maui, so do not be surprised if you hear a different one. I recently heard a Tongan version called Maui Atalanga. Can you see the similarity? Stay open to hearing more about Maui. Now let's see how this moolelo comes to a close.
When Maui's kaikuaana (older brothers) were preparing to lawaia (fish), their little brother persisted in going with them. Before the kaikuaana began to holo (sail) out to sea, Maui managed to get onto the back of the waa (canoe). The brothers grew annoyed and "Hoolei ia ia nei iloko o ke kai" (threw him into the water).
It was not until some time later that the kaikuaana finally allowed Maui to join them. Together they holo to a coral reef called Poo in Hana, Maui, where they dropped their pohaku (stone) to anchor the waa. Maui cast his makau (hook), famously called Manaiakalani, and the kaikuaana cast theirs as well.
The kaikuaana caught a shark and felt satisfied with what they had accomplished. They encouraged Maui to try for a shark too, but Maui was set on catching an ulua. The brothers offered a word of encouragement, "Haha ulua la" (catch an ulua with your hand).
While Manaiakalani was in the water, a great ulua was hooked. It was Pimoe, a famed and mythical ulua of its time. The moment Pimoe was hooked, Maui and the kaikuaana watched the sea floor shifting beneath them. Pimoe was too large and too strong to pull onto the waa. One of them suggested they oki (cut) the anchor line and let the ulua take them for a ride. And that is exactly what happened. The moment they oki the line, Pimoe took off and pulled the waa a great distance for two whole days.
On the second day, Pimoe was found floating at the surface, exhausted. Maui stood at the back of the waa and began to huki (pull) him in, asking his brothers to hoe (paddle) closer. He told the kaikuaana not to look back until the ulua was on the waa so as not to disrupt the process. They agreed.
Maui would huki. The kaikuaana would hoe. They persisted with great effort until the ulua was at the side of the waa. Just as Maui pulled it up, one of his kaikuaana, overcome with curiosity, looked back. And MOKU (snap), the line snapped and Pimoe disappeared into the deep ocean.
It is said that this moku of the line caused the aina (land) to crack and separate, forming the chain of islands we now know as the Hawaiian islands.
Ua pau (the end).
I'm attaching the two issues of this version of the moolelo of Maui Akalana in hopes that some of you will explore it for yourselves. Mahalo nui and see you next week 🤙
Ka Moolelo o Maui (1863)
Owau no,
Maluhia
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