Chapter 1
KUAUHAU (Genealogy) . . . From Wakea and his wife Papa-Nui, all Hawaiians are descended. Twelve generations later, Ki`i and his wife Hinakoula had two sons named Nanaulu and Ulu. Nanaulu became the ancestor of the northern (Hawai`i) families while Ulu became the ancestor of the southern (Kahiki) families. Eleven generations hence, Nanamaoa, of the southern Ulu line, pioneered the 1st migratory influx to the Hawaiian Islands. He was a warlike chief who succeeded in establishing his family in power on Hawai`i, Maui and O`ahu.

Thirteen generations afterward, came Maweke of the northern Nanaulu line. A king of O`ahu, Maweke had three sons: Kalehenui, who was given land on Northern O`ahu in the Ko`olau; Keaunui, who was given land in the `Ewa, Wai`anae and Wailua Districts; and Mulieali`i, the eldest, who became king of the largest of their father's estates on O`ahu. Upon the death of Maweke, Mulieali`i assumed power.

Mulieali`i in turn had one daughter, Hainakolo, and three sons: Kumuhonua, `Olopana and Mo`ikeha. Hainakolo married a chief named Keanini from Kahiki and lived with him at a place called Kuaihelani. Each of the sons became kings of O`ahu. Kumuhonua ruled the largest of his fathers estates on O`ahu, while `Olopana and Mo`ikeha were given smaller holdings.

Mo`ikeha adopted a son named La`amaikahiki while on O`ahu. La`a was the son of Ahukai, Chief of Kapaahu and Lord of Nualaka. La`a was the great-great-grandson of, and successor to, Paumakua of the southern Ulu line. A past king of O`ahu, Paumakua was the famous voyaging chief of east O`ahu who lead the 2nd influx of voyagers to Hawai`i and was one of the greatest of Hawaiian explorers.

`Olopana and Mo`ikeha were dissatisfied with their lots on O`ahu and settled in the Waipi`o Valley in the Hamakua District on the Big Island of Hawai`i with a considerable number of attendants. There, `Olopana ruled as king. Although Mo`ikeha was not equal in power to his brother, he was `Olopana's captain and advisor, his highest subject, and most trusted friend. La`a went with his foster-father where Mo`ikeha began training him in the accomplishments that he would someday become famous for.

Meanwhile, `Olopana married Mailelauli`i and Lu`ukia, both of the royal Nanaulu line. Lu`ukia was the beautiful granddaughter of Hikapoloa, Chief of Kohala on Hawai`i. `Olopana married Lu`ukia to protect himself against the encroachments of neighboring chiefs and urged Mo`ikeha to do the same with a marriage to someone in the ruling families of Hamakua. Mo`ikeha, a very handsome man with dark, sun-bleached reddish hair and a tall commanding physique, could have easily done so with his unquestioned royal lineage and courtly demeanor. But, he declined saying "I have a wife in my spear, and an heir in La`a. I would not create jealousy in the family by adding to either."

Some years later, the Waipi`o Valley was desolated by a terrible hurricane with heavy storms and flooding, devastating the valley and forcing the people to seek refuge elsewhere. Mo`ikeha was never satisfied with Waipi`o and, with the recent storms, found it easy to convince his brother to venture south to Kahiki. Selecting the best and most talented people, five large double-hulled sailing canoes were prepared and provisions stowed with Mo`ikeha and La`a aboard the sailing canoe Kaulua.

TLHM Writer's Notes:
In researching this tale, because information was handed down through the millennia via oral tradition, there are now several versions of this group of legends. Some contain elements that omit certain parts while other versions conflict. Where they conflict, a choice had to be made. However, alternate versions are outlined and referenced in the book version of this story.