The great king Kamehameha sat at the door of his hut looking out at Kona Bay.
Waves were lapping against the distant white beach, his people were happily fishing along the shore.
He smiled, knowing he had brought peace.
The kahunas were gathered nearby, a group of alii were standing by the shore. Fishermen were paddling in with their catch.
He sat back remembering his long, full life.
He saw again the floating islands pulled by white clouds drifting into Kealakekua Bay. He was a young chief then surrounded by thousands of his people, yelling and pointing at the two islands with white clouds pulling them along. The islands changed into massive canoes. They could see a tall, white figure standing on the front of the first canoe floating into the bay.
We believed it was Lono, god of fertility! He came at Makahiki! The ancient story was true. There was great rejoicing as 3,000 men and women leaped into outriggers and paddled out to meet the ships of the god.
They leaped onto the sides of the giant canoes, almost tipping them over. He remembered later standing on the deck of their wooden ship gazing at Lono, who called himself Captain Cook, Makua Kuki. He wore a long blue coat, he had white woman’s hair, and suspicious eyes.
In time everyone saw he was not Lono, just a rude Englishmen who took everything we gave, giving nothing back. In the end the false god lost his life on the rocks by the bay. Even aloha has its limit.
He remembered the good he had done, forgiving the fisherman, giving protection to all with his law of the paddle. He remembered stopping the lava with a lock of his hair.
Then there were the terrible battles. He saw fellow warriors clashing on lava fields, and on the ocean in war canoes, wooden spears thrown, people falling off the Pali in Oahu. Finally, it was over.
In time the other chiefs were defeated and the islands were one kingdom, and could meet the world leaders as equals. This was his goal, to unify all the islands into one ohana.
His only wish was for peace and aloha between his people and all the foreigners who would someday sail to his shores. His dream was for all races to be brothers and sisters.
The great alii sat on his grass mat and stretched his arms, he thought, “Was this the immortal body and strong arms that lifted the Naha Stone to be king?” He still felt strong.
Then, standing at the bright door of his hale was his love Kaahumanu, his favorite wife. He looked up. She took his rough hand in hers, her smile warmed him, he squeezed her hand and smiled. She brought her nose to his and breathed, and sat down beside him, both gazing out at the sparkling blue water of Kona Bay.
Dennis Gregory welcomes your comments at makewavess@yahoo.com. This was written to honor King Kamehameha, whose celebration is coming up in Kona on Wednesday.