Maui and the Alae Ula
Aloha no kakou,
Maui makes his journey to Waianae, Oahu, in search of ahi (fire). There he comes across a group of Alae gathered around a flaming fire. Seeing his opportunity, Maui moved to hopu (grab) one of them.
The Alae scrambled and lele (took flight) to escape, all except one who was not so fortunate. Maui grabbed hold of this Alae and tied it up so it could not escape. He was one step closer to his goal, and it was at this moment that the Alae began a frustrating game of diversion and deceit.
After being captured, the Alae said to him, "Mai pepehi oe ia'u o loaa ole ko ahi" (Don't kill me or you won't get your fire). Maui responded, "E haawi mai oe ia'u i ke ahi" (You will give me fire).
The Alae then instructed him, "E hele aku oe e hia i ka ha o ke kalo, aia ka hoi ilaila ko ahi" (Go and fire-plow the stalk of the taro plant. That is where your fire will be). Maui found kalo and began to hia (fire-plow). No ahi appeared and the kalo stalk split. The grooved stem of the ha kalo (taro stalk) is said to have been formed by the hia of Maui.
Maui returned to the Alae demanding, "Ina aole oe e haawi mai, make oe ia'u" (If you don't give it to me, I will kill you). The Alae sent him out again, this time to find the lau ki (ti-leaf). Maui began to hia. No ahi appeared and the leaf split open. Like the ha kalo, the stem of the lau ki was also grooved out by the hia of Maui.
Maui returned frustrated and ready to kill the Alae. The cunning bird convinced him to try one more time, this time with the Waimea (a type of tree). As Maui began to hiahia (fire-plow), the stick lit up. Finally, Maui had the ahi he had been searching for.
It is said that this is how kanaka (Hawaiians) obtained ahi.
With his ahi in hand, Maui touched the flame to the lae (forehead) of the Alae, turning it ula (red). It is said that this act gave some of the Alae their red foreheads and is the origin of the name Alae Ula (Mudhen with a red forehead).
Aole i pau (to be continued)
Take a look Ka Moolelo o Maui to take a dive into the moolelo kaao (legend yourself.
Nui koe (more to come),
Maluhia
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