Transcribed by Solomon L.K. Peleioholani (1902)
Translated by Aloha Kekoolani (2004)
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Original genealogy manuscript containing
The Keepers of the Sacred Fire (Peleioholani, Solomon L.K. c. 1902) (
INTRODUCTION
In 1902, the
ali‘i Solomon L.K. Peleioholani recorded a genealogy of his great grandfathers,
the
The Keepers of the Sacred Fire was originally transcribed in Hawaiian. In 2004, the handwritten manuscript was
found in the archives of the
This genealogical chant names and pays homage to,
among others, the highly kapu ninaupio chiefess Kalanikauiokikilo and her mother the high chiefess Kalola of the Maui royal family. During his own lifetime Solomon Peleioholani
(1843-1916), witnessed the institution of the hereditary Ali‘i Kapu fade into
irrelevance. Consequently, by the time it was rendered to written text in 1902, this homage to the chiefs was primarily an exercise in nostalgia, for the
THE CHANT
No laila e ike ia i na Alii a me na
Therefore, it is known within the High Chiefs
And together with the entire
And, in fact, authentically to all people.
This high ranking genealogical verse of poetry of the Chiefly Order
Amoungst and between the common people and land
of Hawai‘i.
Engraved in stone,
Yet flowing like the serene waters of unity,
From the fire, this sacredness will remain.
This is to affirm, certainly, that a sacred fire
burns.
A sacred fire has burned from this foundation.
In the sacred fire, lies the chiefly body of the people.
In the season of protection
Herein lies the sacred dignity and noble bearing
of these elder chiefs,
Likened to the sweetened unbittered waters,
Entitled to Respect and Reverence, Difficult to Access, of High Rank.
From these appeased Sacred Chiefs, Peace and
Strength
The season emerges
And when held upright, is the reflection of these things.
Arisen, the entire spiritual body above the earthly body
And with a spiritual house
Amoungst all these things, clinging together
Is the body of the High Chiefs
To verify this truth, the chiefess
Kalolapupukaohonokawailani
With her daughter Kalanikauiokikilo
Kekumanomanokekapu,
Certainly this name was previously known
In the genealogical chant, the Ko‘ihonua, of the
High Chiefs from Kekumanomanokekapu
These names are known throughout Time
In the Correct Succession of Chiefs
The name of the Highest Chiefs were burned in the
sacred fire
Above the platform and the alter of Puowaina
These Chiefs, their Names, were burned in the
fire
There was a Niau Pio high chief,
Namely Haakaailani, younger generational sibling
of Kaka‘e
The offspring of the marriage of a high ranking
brother and sister
His father's own marriage ranked Ho‘i, the Chief
Kahekili of
Two of the most prominent chiefs
The Ali‘i Saraiwikahi of Waipi‘o Hawai‘i,
For within the bosom of Paka‘alana , a royal
birth
A royal offspring was born
The Niau Pio
child of the marriage between High Ranking brother and sister
The three of these, exalted Chiefs, were burned
in the sacred fire
For the foundation of
Thus, this was the beginning of the child
Kamaka ‘o Haloa – a keiki
A royal Ali‘i offspring, this
Between the union of a Chief and his half sister,
entitled Kapu Noho
Increasing in rank from the descendant of a Chief
Kanipahu together with chiefess Ali‘i Kanakoko
A royal Chiefess from
A royal union (he pi‘o)
A marriage of full brother and sister of Niaupi‘o
rank
The highest possible rank
And it is from this heated foundation of Fire
These High Ranking Chiefs and Chiefesses arose in
the past
During this period of time,
These High Chiefs were greeted and feared
They were together with the people
And controlled the entire archipelago of the
For there was great strength in the Sacred Kapu
of these Native Born, Foundational, High Chiefs
Therefore, it was known and understood
The great importance of the royal blood of the
Chiefs
And their Rank, Positions, Titles, Places,
Reputations and Prominence
These Supremely High Chiefs and Chiefesses
The Succession of Genealogical Chiefs,
Were built with the Sacred Kapu, this Dignity
It was known as the Generations of Firmly Planted
Genuine Chiefs.
Their Spirits have spoken, their Offspring have arisen
They have branched out, these numerous Chiefs
Let this knowledge be known, broadcast,
circulated, and extended
To the numerous common people
This is the Hawaii Lineage of Keawe
This is the Hawaii Lineage of Keawe
His Highness – S. L.. Peleioholani
His Highness –
Her Highness- Governess S. L. Ululani Baker