ing some years ago, and perhaps are yet
undisturbed, where the royal accouchements took place. In ancient
times this locality was taboo ground, for here the high priest of
the island had his headquarters. Himself descended from the chief
families, and being, in many instances, an uncle or younger brother of
the reigning king, or connected by marriage with those of the royal
line, and being also at the head of a numerous, well organized, and
powerful priesthood, his influence was hardly second to that of the
king, and in some matters his authority was paramount.

A few miles mauka of Kukaniloko, toward the Waimea Mountains, is
Helemano, where the last of the cannibal chiefs from the South Seas
finally settled when driven from the plains of Mokuleia and Waialua by
the inhabitants of those districts; for the people had been exasperated
by the frequent requisitions on the _kamaainas_ (original inhabitants)
by the stranger chiefs to furnish material for their cannibal feasts.

To the east of Helemano, and about the same distance from Kukaniloko,
is Oahunui (Greater Oahu), another historical place. This was the
residence of the kings of the island. Tradition has it that previous
to the advent of the cannibal strangers the place was known by
another name.

When the Lo Aikanaka, as the last of the man-eating chiefs are called,
were constrained to take up their residence in upper Helemano,
a district just outside of the boundaries of those reserved for
the royal and priestly residences, a young man called Oahunui was
king. An elder sister named Kilikiliula, who had been as a mother
to him, was supposed to share equally with him the royal power and
prerogative. This sister was married to a chief named Lehuanui, of the
priestly line, but one not otherwise directly connected with royalty,
and was the mother of three children; the two eldest being boys and
the youngest a girl. They all lived together in the royal enclosure,
but in separate houses, according to ancient custom.

Now, the Lo Aikanaka, on establishing themselves in upper Helemano,
had at first behaved very well. They had been circumspect and prudent
in their intercourse with the royal retainers, and had visited the
young King to render their homage with every appearance of humility.

Oahunui was quite captivated by the plausible, suave manners of the
ingratiating southern chief and those of his immediate retainers,
and he invited them to a feast.

This civility w