Kamaile by Joni Keamoai

Kamaile 🌱 Finale Part 11

Kamaile

It was early morning as Ho'omana sat near the river's edge in the garden, throwing his hand held net in the water. The birds sung sweetly above him as he did so, and he enjoyed their sweet songs echoing throughout the grove.

He had a flashback of being here in his youth, one similar to this, where he fished in the river and listened to the birds singing up above in the banyan tree. He too, had spent many mornings in the banyan tree playing his nose flute,
Watching as the birds accompanied him in the tree.

Like this particular morning, Anakē Hali'i had already left for the village, to meet with her patients and he would take a walk to the nearby stream to cool down. His Tutu was still alive then, and he'd walk with Ho'omana to the stream, teaching him the plant names along the way. He enjoyed his time there in Na'e and wanted his daughter to experience the same. 

As he waited for Alohi to wake, he continued to dip his hand held net in the river, hoping to catch a fish so he could fry it up for both of them. He thought of what to say to his daughter, he had wanted to finally make the trek home to Manā but a part of him wanted her to stay here. The peace he felt here was unexplainable and even in his youth, although restless, he enjoyed the solitude so much.

"Papa?" He finally heard her call from the lanai above. "I ne'i " he replied letting her know where he was. She quickly ran down the wooden stairs to greet him. "Aloha Kakahiaka" she smiled, hugging him, "Ae Aloha Kakahiaka" he returned the good morning greeting. She checked the bird feeders as he dipped his net in the water, and she also picked fruits off the trees.

Soon they were preparing breakfast outside on the table under the banyan tree. "Alohi I wanted to talk to you" The Chief finally announced. "I know papa, I'm ready" Alohi replied biting into a mai'a, banana. She was anxious but also excited for what was to come. He had thought long and hard and finally made a decision to take Alohi home to Manā but in a month's time. He'd leave before her to prepare the Hale and the help, also finding her a kumu or teacher for her studies. He'd send for her after all the preparations were made.

Alohi was relieved. She had time to say goodbye to Kililau before her departure. Kana'i and Pūnohu would be sent to retrieve her when the month was over.

Nounou

The announcement of King Kaumuali'i's visit had the villagers in knots. Anxiously awaiting his visit, He had only planned to visit Nounou but an extended trip down the north coast to Wainiha and Ha'ena was long overdue.

"Man we got so much chores to do" Manaleo complained for the third time, just the morning chores alone turned him into a grump. "I'm here with you helping you and I don't even live here" Kililau replied. He was annoyed with his cousin, as per usual, but he also couldn't fault him, whenever he needed help Mana was always there for him. "Okay look let's just finish this patch and take a break" Kili suggested. He also knew where the food was stored for the guards.

They were sent to clear out the mountain trails of shrubbery and debris. The main guards were training and soon the boys would join them to learn protocol. Proper way to greet Kaumuali'i when he arrives was of the most importance. Chief Kahiau and Ha'ikū had not emerged from the training fields for two days. Both Mana & Kili's mom's had not seen their husbands for longer than that.

"I'm gonna run home" Mana announced. "No! You can't .... we're gonna get in trouble!" Kili informed him. " I don't care I'm hungry and my mom can cook us food food...not just a mango from the tree!" He shouted before running down the mountain. "Damnit!" Kililau sighed before running after him. Their dads would be pissed, but that's Mana and Kili, they would'nt be them, if they weren't pissing off their dads.