Kau‘ilani and the Sea Monster

retold here by Keanu
Adapted from "Kau‘ilani and the Sea Monster" from The Water of Kane by Caroline Curtis

A long time ago there was a chief of Kauai. His enemy was a very evil and powerful sea monster. This sea monster had ravaged his peoples' villages and destroyed the lands by the coast. This forced him to move to the mountains to get away from the monster. This is where the chief had waited and prayed for some strong warrior to come and rid his land of this horrible sea monster.

One day the chief and one of his wives had a child. Sadfully it was a girl that couldn’t become a warrior. She was sent to the mothers parents on O’ahu as was the tradition of the time.

The chief had to wait even longer. But finally one dark and dreary night the sky lit up with lightning and thunder roared. The king was very happy, for to him was born a son. He was named Kau’ilani and was sent off to his father’s parents to train and bathe in the sacred stream to become big and strong.

Years later, he came back as a strong and wise young warrior. He was blessed with much power and wisdom. His father then came to his son and asked him if he could rid his land of the sea monster. He said yes and set off towards the shore to battle. With his guardian spirit (a spear named Koawi Koawa) and a sacred malo, he had a tremendous battle and he had finally slayed the monster.