Ke Koloa O Kaikapu

retold here by Aston
Adapted from "Ke Koloa O Kaikapu" from Polihale and other Kauai Legends by Frederick B. Wichman.

Once there was a giant mo‘o named Kaikapu. Kaikapu gaurded the shorelines of Koloa on the island of Kaua‘i. Kaikapu ate anyone who tried to swim or attempt to catch and get the lipoa, opihi, and Hinalea fish.

One day there was a crowd on a hilltop watching Kaikapu wait for her next meal. In that crowd were Liko and his grandmother. Liko’s grandmother sighed to Liko I sure would like some of that food in there. Liko couldn’t let her down.

Liko ran as fast as he could to his house. Liko grabbed his spear, and his net. Liko ran back and jumped in the water. The crowd was yelling at Liko to get back out, but Liko didn’t listen. Liko set his net and Kaikapu was coming, Liko speared his mouth wide open. Kaikapu was charging again. Liko swam to a near by hole he noticed when he was setting his net. He flew out, Kaikapu got stuck in there were Kaikapu remains yelling and shooting out water when ever water fills the hole.With kaikapu stuck and Liko still alive everyone was happy! Everyone got to swim, fish and dive forever on!