Kamaile by Joni Keamoai

Kamaile 🌱 Finale Part 14

Kamaile

The sun was peaking out behind the clouds as
Chief Ho'omana moved about the Hale, making sure not to wake anyone.

But, of course he should've known his aunt would be up before the sun to wish him farewell.

"Aloha kakahiaka" she greeted

As he entered the kitchen, wanting a cup of wai or water.

"Aloha kakahiaka Anakē" he returned the greeting.

She handed him a cup of water and brewed some tea as well.

She also steamed some kalo and i'a for them, preparing a travel sack for Ho'omana as his trip would be a whole day's worth.

"Mahalo iā 'oe" he thanked her, knowing that she had already planned to prepare this for him.

"Pehea o Malanai?" He asked her, how her visit with Malanai had gone. She had been late in returning home the previous night, so he was curious, hoping it was as he and Alohi had guessed, friends gabbing the night away.

"She had a slight fever when I arrived to their Hale, so I regulated her temperature with cold cloth and mixed olena & nī'oi for her to drink, she was almost back to her old self." Anakē Hali'i smiled. Relief washing over her.

Chief Ho'omana was relieved also and smiled.

Just the word "fever" triggered him, reminding Ho'omana about his late wife.

"Oia" she exclaimed, setting the table for both of them to eat.

To their surprise, footsteps approached the kitchen, as Alohi rubbed at her eyes, trying to open them. "I wasn't about to miss seeing you off Pa" she mumbled, her voice hoarse.

They both laughed. "Hele mai" Ho'omana greeted his daughter, giving her a hug.

After their breakfast, Ho'omana went over some upcoming events with Alohi. He'd be sending back one of his guards to fetch her, in a week's time, most likely Kana'i, since he was razor quick when hiking up trails and the one who treated Alohi like his little sister. Ho'omana trusted his guards with his and Alohi's life and knew they'd do anything to protect her. Kana'i was also the one that wouldn't spoil his daughter or let her get her way, which he appreciated. They fought like cats and dogs, but they both had each other's backs.

Alohi yawned listening to him, not because she was bored but because she was tired. When he was done explaining, he quizzed her and she got everything right.

She would not hike down the trail until Kana'i or Pūnohu picked her up from Kamaile. The time of day for which the trek started would have to be, before sunrise and safety on the trail was of the utmost importance.

"Understood?" He asked her. "Ae pa" she agreed. After a few minutes he was making his way down the sea cliff toward the beach below.
Watching her father descend the mountain, like he'd done so many times, affected her differently this time. This time, she felt his presence fading away and it made her sad.

You'll see him in a week

She sniffed, feeling a little foolish.

She had exactly one week to say goodbye to Kililau and then finally make her way home.

Wainiha

"Breakfast!" Malanai called out.  She was already back to her usual self. Kililau rushed into the dining area, like his usual self and hungry. 

"Mom I'm glad you're feeling better, but I could've helped you." "Oh yeah?" She shrugged, wanting to tell her son about the meaning of help or kokua and what it entails.

"If you wanted to help her, you would've awoken before her and get started in here" a voice behind him explained. The chief wasn't a chief just because of lineage, he was a chief because he was highly motivated, determined, intuitive and persevered in all that he did.

He also knew his son had a lot to learn, especially when it came to taking an initiative or being motivated.

"Son that would be your lesson for today.....not saying you would do, but actually doing without saying." He challenged before biting into a piece of fruit.

Kililau's face scrunched up,
confused as he filled his plate with kalo pancakes and fruit. He was still trying to make sense of what his dad just said to him.

He got the gist of what helping his mom out meant but not the rest of it. "After all son, in order to become a chief, you must be a leader and lead, take the first step, make the first move and be highly motivated."

"Ahh"
Kililau acknowledged.

He spent the next two hours following his dad's lead.

Kamaile

By mid morning Alohi had finished all her chores and was sitting on her favorite perch up in the banyan tree, playing the ohe hana ihu or nose flute, for her friends, the birds.

She had been a little sad earlier, watching her dad depart, but then remembered how soon she'd see him again and she was okay.

Tutu Hali'i had gone into the village but would be back soon, as she had only gone for provisions and not her usual house visits. Alohi decided whether or not to swim in a nearby creek, but with Tutu Hali'i set to return, decided against it.

Her day was pretty quiet, as she relaxed near the river's edge, she thought of her friends back home. Honu must've grown so much since she last saw him, Li'a and Nai'a as well, but she knew where to find them as soon as she headed back to Nualolo and that would definitely be one of her stops. Mōli, a native albatross and the only animal friend she had made on this side of the mauna had given her updates about her friends, which meant so much to her. She knew Mōli had met them and visited them often, after all he soared high and low near the sea cliff, guaranteed to make a landing near the cove.

How she wished she could pass on a message to him now, to keep watch over her father, to keep him safe as he scaled down the mountain toward the bluffs.

As if an answer to her unspoken thoughts, she heard the flapping of Mōli's wings in flight as he appeared over head, the sun's rays shining down between them.

She dispatched her message to Mōlī in their own way, instantly feeling better after doing so, she waved at her friend as he continued toward the sea cliff.

A feeling suddenly came over her, she needed to see Kililau. Maybe it was boredom, or was it something else? An urge to say what she needed to? before leaving here? Whatever it was, it had to be now,
So she headed down the mountain.