Hi'iakaikapoliopele

I had the pleasure of attending the Talk Story Festival at McCoy Pavilion in October and figured I'd share some of it with you.  I caught word of it on the radio that there was going to be an eight part telling of the epic Hi'iaka I Ka Poli O'Pele.

Some of the storytellers stood out to be more memorable to me. 

Calama Cabigon opened with a very quick worded oli and then returned on another turn summing up the journey of Pele from her original family homeland in Bora Bora. He related her to the most human version as a powerful chiefess that was forced to leave her homeland for what ever reason, possibly because of a rival. She left with her family and followers and finally found a home in Hawaii.

Moses Goods shared a very eloquent story from the point of view of Pana'ewa. One of the many Mo'o that Hi'iaka met on her journey to fetch Pele's dream lover. 

Kilohana Silve brought a couple members from her Paris based halau, and chanted while a woman danced hula. Representing the sad tale of Hopoe as she danced in the face of the fires of Pele. As it consumed Hi'iaka's favorite ohia forest and her beloved friend. Hopoe was a hula deity and played with Hi'iaka before she left on Pele's quest. She remained on the shores of  Puna as a balancing rock that would sway with the tides. Until finally it was lost to the sea...

Jeff  Gere was given the task of telling the part when Hi'iaka finally reaches Kauai to claim Lohiau, Pele's lover. Although when she arrives she is surprised to find that Lohiau has died from what at first seemed like grief of Pele leaving him. 

Hi'iaka along with  Wahine'Oma'O then goes through one of their most challenging deeds in the honor of her sister, besides facing her sister in opposition at the end of her quest...

She locates Lohiau's body and then gives strict instructions to everyone in the ahupuaa. They had to build a house with no doors. Everyone had to leave the ahupua'a, simular to the death of any ali'i of a district where that district would become "unclean" until the death rites were observed and then the kapu would be lifted. Although, Hi'iaka wasn't gonna settle for death, she intended to resurrect Lohiau. After days of prayer and explicit tasks were carried out. Such as caring for his lifeless body and then claiming his spirit in a cave up high in a mountain cave guarded by two mo'o women. Whom had at first troubled Pele when she came in her dream form to meet Lohiau.  Hi'iaka was finally successful to bring life back to Lohiau. 
Below are illustrations of Lohiau's lifeless body and the direction he was laid and what kinds of garland were arranged about him to complete the process of resurrection...

This talk story session was the beginning of a longing to visit Kauai for myself, this and the song Kauai Beauty by Ho'okena...