Overview
ACT 1, "He Keiki Kolohe"
Kaulula'au is banished to the ghost island of Nana'iakaulahea (ancient Lana'i) for pulling up his father's breadfruit trees.
ACT 2, "Petals for Your Pillow"
Kaulula'au is encouraged by his god Lono. He survives each night by tricking the ghosts into looking for him in the thorns and waves. He catches the remaining ghosts in a fishing net and their leader, Pahulu, offers to guide him onto the other side of the island.
ACT 3, "Day of Conquest"
On Lana'i Hale, Kaulula'au builds a house and tricks the remaining ghosts into falling asleep inside. Pahulu escapes to Maunalei. There, Kaulula'au is faced with a final choice and Pahulu transforms into the form we know today.
Mo'olelo of Kamakaopahulu
Told by Kupuna Hannah Richardson
Interview with Mary Kawena Puku'i, 1963
Tape HAW 142.2.1
Yeah, o kela maka wale no, no ka mea kela wahi no ai no ia Kaulula'au. Makemake 'oia e pepehi ia Kaulula'au malaila. Pi'i aku i luna a hele mai malaila ma kela punawai e inu wai ai a kona nana ana 'ike i ke aka o Kaulula'au. Mana'o 'oia aia 'o Kaulula'au i loko, ne'e aku nei 'oia e lu'u, e lu'u ai ia Kaulula'au. A maluna mai 'o Kaulula'au ai i luna o keia pohaku a kiloi a lele keia maka i ka lani, maluna o kela lae, pau a'e la no ia. Keia manawa, 'oe ha'i i ka mo'olelo, ho'olohe mai keia po'e, mana'o paha he fairy tale kau mea wala'au no ka mea 'a'ole lakou 'ike. Kupainaha ea, pehea 'oe e 'ike ai lele ana keia maka a kau ana iluna o keia lae, mamao loa keia wahi.
Yeah, just that eye, because that place is Kaulula'au's. He [Pahulu] wanted to kill Kaulula'au there. He climbed high up and went there by that spring to drink water. When he looked, he saw Kaulula'au's reflection. He thought Kaulula'au was in the spring, so he crept forward and dove, dove in to get Kaulula'au. Kaulula'au was just above. He threw the rock and this eye flew into the sky, right on that cape. That's the end. Nowdays, you tell the story, certain people listen, they think you are telling a fairy tale because they don't know. Strange, isn’t it? How can you see this eye flying and landing on top of this cape? This place is very far.
