Kamaile by Joni Keamoai

Kapua & Kaulana

Nualolo Kai

Preparations were already underway for Alohi's birthday celebration. Everyone worked in secret while she slept, though it was unusual for her not to stir at the bustle outside. For reasons unknown, she remained in deep slumber, giving the household precious time to complete the finishing touches.

At daybreak, Pūnohu and Haūpu had set off for Manā to fetch Alohi's grandparents from both sides of the family, as well as her aunt Lilinoe. They had sent word to Ho'omana weeks earlier that they wished to be present for this important day.

Beyond the front porch, wooden tables and benches stretched across the yard, lanterns strung on twine swaying gently in the morning breeze. Freshly cut fruits and vegetables were stacked in bowls, while a pig roasted in the imu. Stuffed fish, haukeuke, and piles of 'opihi gathered from the kai added to the feast awaiting the evening.

The keiki played near the shoreline, swimming and laughing, while the women and guards labored diligently alongside Ho'omana. On the gift table sat carefully wrapped packages, and in his hands he held the most precious of all: a dress once owned by Lilina, lovingly altered by Lilinoe with beading and jewels.

"It is perfect," Ho'omana murmured when Lilinoe handed it to him. He remembered clearly the night Lilina wore it at her own birthday celebration. "Ae maopo no wau," he whispered, as though to her spirit. He could feel her presence in every breath of salt air, as though she was there, guiding him.

As the sun climbed higher, a sound reached him from inside the hale—his daughter stirring.

"Papa?" Alohi yawned, stepping from her bed to peer out the window at the flurry of activity beyond her window.

"Ae," Ho'omana smiled, appearing in the doorway with two boxes in his arms.

"He aha ka hana ma waho?" Alohi asked, her brows furrowed at the sight of tables, lanterns, and people working in the yard.

Ho'omana only smiled, setting the boxes down. "Hau'oli Lā Hānau iā 'oe e ku'u kaikamahine," he exclaimed, pulling her into a warm embrace.

She opened the first box, gasping when she saw the gift inside—a painted portrait of herself as a baby, cradled in her mother's arms, Ho'omana beside them.

"Oh wow, Pa! U'i loa!" Alohi breathed, her eyes glistening.

"Ae. It is a duplicate of the one in your Tūtū's hale," Ho'omana explained softly. "They could not part with the original, for your mother is in it."

Tears welled in Alohi's eyes as she traced the strokes of paint, remembering her beautiful mother.

"And here," Ho'omana said, handing her the second box, his own voice faltering. "This dress once belonged to your mom. It is the very one she wore at her birthday luau."

ALOHI clutched the fabric to her chest, a deep sigh as tears streamed down her cheeks. She held it up before her, imagining her mother at the same age, standing proud and radiant in the very same garment.

"Aww, Pa!" she cried, hugging him tightly.

"There is more, my sweet," Ho'omana whispered, his hand brushing her hair. "This entire celebration you see outside—this is for you. Today you are fifteen. Your mother always wished for this day to mark your becoming a young lady."

Through her tears, Alohi smiled, heart swelling with love and grief interwoven. She hurried him from the room to dress herself for the celebration.

⸻

By midday, the shoreline was alive with excitement.

"Wa'a!" Kana'i shouted from the sand.

ALOHI ran to the porch, nearly diving into the surf when she spotted her grandparents climbing from the canoe, along with Lilinoe, Uncle Ho'oulu, and her cousin Mahina.

"Pa! Look—it's Tūtū folks!" she cried, waving as joy flooded her.

Inside, Kapua tended to the food while Nawai and Kana'i busied themselves with preparations outside. Kaulana sat with Alohi, helping her finish her look. Carefully, she applied rouge to her cheeks, balm to her lips, and tucked the perfect pua into her hair.

"You're all set!" Kaulana beamed, turning her toward the mirror.

ALOHI hugged her tightly. "Mahalo, Kaulana."

When she stepped outside in her dress, the crowd gasped softly at her beauty. She greeted her aunt with a warm embrace.

"Mahalo nui, Anakē," Alohi said, running her hands over the jeweled seams.

"A'ole pilikia i ku'u Alohi... Hau'oli Lā Hānau iā 'oe!" Lilinoe replied, holding her close.

ALOHI noticed then, that Pūnohu lingered nearby, never far from her aunt. She smiled inwardly. Aww kiūke.

⸻

"Mahalo iā 'oukou apau no ka hele ana mai," Ho'omana announced, welcoming their guests. He thanked them for raising and shaping Alohi, and explained that it had been Lilina's wish for her daughter to have a fifteenth birthday celebration—something they had not been able to give her at one.

The cove glowed with firelight and laughter. Na'eole and Kana'i played music as Kapua's voice carried an enchanting melody. The women—Kaulana, Nawai, Ehukai, and Ku'uwehi—lined up in matching dresses, pua in their hair, and began to hula. The guests cheered and clapped as Alohi herself was pulled into the dance, her face alight with joy.

Later, beneath the lanterns and lamakū flames, gifts piled high before her, Alohi unwrapped each one with gratitude.

"Mahalo iā 'oukou pakahi apau, a no ku'u papa. Mahalo no kēia lā a me kēia pā'ina le'ale'a," she said, overwhelmed by the aloha surrounding her.

Finally, Kapua carried out the birthday cake, fruit and cream layered delicately, topped with a single wili wīne flame.

Everyone sang, voices lifting in harmony: Hau'oli Lā Hānau iā 'oe...

With a breath, Alohi blew out the flame, her smile brighter than the lamakū themselves.

"It turned out exactly as your Mama would have wanted," Kapua whispered, hugging Alohi once more.