Legend of Ilio Point

Adapted from "Kalai o ka Ilio (Legend of Ilio Point)" from Legends of Molokai by Harriet Ne.
Retold here by Loke

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever lost track of time right? Well many of people have and it. I can say that I’m one of those people. Just like a character in the story. First I will tell you how it all started…
This legend takes place on eastern Molokai near an area named Ilio Point. It is about a shark god, Kainalu, who wishes to see his dead master’s shrine. When his master died his bones were washed ashore and the village people gathered them made a shrine. To see his ancestor, he has to be out of the water. Well he solves this problem by forming into a dog. How does he form into a dog? Well that’s one mystery to solve. I don’t want to give a lot away but he gets help from his mom.

The shark gods are not supposed to leave their district. But they were able to go out on land between sunrise and sunset. Kainalu left at sunrise but he just didn’t come back on time. All the shark gods were sleeping when he was back at sea. He was too late. He wasn’t able to form back into a shark god. Of course because when the shark gods are asleep, no one is up to save him. Not even his mother.

Through the years many people have seen him in his dog form. He is known as the “Red Dog” or the “Sausage Dog” because he could stretch his body. People believe that if you see the long, red dog to on the road to Mauna Loa you should follow it. He will lead you to the northwest point of Molokai, sniff around the heiau, howl, and disappear into the ocean.

By this I think Kainalu learned his lesson. I would never want to be a dog all my life. I’d rather be a shark god and soar the ocean. Kainalu would feel the same way. I know you would never want to be an animal for the rest of your life either. Well see how Kainalu feels.

This legend to me was made for the naming of Ilio Point, because of what happened to Kainalu.

This place is now the home of Kainalu once a shark god but now the dog of Ilio point.