Akoni Kaoo, a modern-day kūkini
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Lanakila published on September 16, 1909.
Image: Studio portrait of kūkini, Antone Kaoo. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 223192
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Modern-day kūkini, Antone Kaoo, aka Akoni Kaoo (d. January 7, 1928), was born and raised in Waialua, and educated at Lahainaluna Seminary, where he received the nickname, “Lio Heihei o Waialua,” [Racing Horse of Waialua]. He was married to Keoua Hoopii (d. January 23, 1915). In his later years, he taught hula, and it was Kaoo who altered the mele for Kīnaʻu, the son of Keʻelikōlani and Leleiōhoku, to the more familiar “Liliʻu ē” that we know today.
Image: “Ua ahai ae o Atoni Kaoo…” Ka Lanakila, September 9, 1909, p. 28.
Atoni Kaoo carried away the victory in the ten-mile race at Honolulu Park this past Saturday. Tuskamoto of Hilo fell by a hair, 2 seconds behind, and Nigel Jackson at the rear was fifth. There was much dispute over this race because Kaoo fell. Only his hand and a portion of his body touched the goal, with his feet remaining, perhaps because his legs ached. But he stated, he was actually hooked by the leg by a Japanese, and it happened many times, and that is why he fell.
Image: “ATONI KAOO ME KA MOHO AUKETULIA.” Kuokoa Home Rula, July 14, 1911, p. 1
ATONI KAOO AND THE AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVE.
Let it be known on this Thursday, there will be a marathon between the race horse of Waialua, Hawaiʻi’s representative and Jim Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald wanted very much to compete with Hawaiʻi’s representative for the 26 miles. Australia’s representative told the Advertiser reporter that he thought the old man running is wonderful, and “I feel that he would give me a good race over the full marathon. I hope to meet the Hawaiian champion and to set him a pace that will make the race interesting. I know that Kaoo can do the full distance with ease, and I think that the climate here will not interfere with my chances of winning.”
Kaoo believes he should get a prize for this race, and being that he is an expert at racing and the benefits he received from earlier races were tiny, he believes that it is right that Kaoo receives a prize. Being that he is mature and that the other one is a youth. And that he relies on this for his livelihood.
It is a fact that that haole is quick, but the hope of Hawaiʻi nei is placed on Kaoo, being that he has good endurance. That is why King was unfortunate; he ran out of breath first. And if Jim Fitzgerald is also that way, the race horse of Waialua would win all the time.
Kō maʻi kēia, lawea mai
Hoʻoheno i ka puni, hiu a wela
Hiu aʻe kō maʻi, lawea mai
ʻAʻole mea koe, hiu a wela
Ua nani Kilohana, lawea mai
Kuahiwi kapu ia lā ‘o Kaʻala
He ʻala ē ke oho o ka palai
Ka maile lau liʻi aʻo Koʻiahi
Haʻina kō maʻi, lawea mai
Hoʻoheno i ka puni, lawea mai
Lā ā ē ā ē ā ē ā
This is your maʻi chant, bring it here
It woos its favorite one, win it over!
Your maʻi gets started, bring it here
And leave nothing aside, win it over!
Beautiful is Kilohana, bring it here
A sacred mountain is Kaʻala
Fragrant are the leaves of the palai fern
And the fine-leaved maile of Koʻiahi
This ends your maʻi chant, bring it here
It woos its favorite, win it over
Lā ā ē ā ē ā ē ā
Procreation chant for Akoni Kaoo. Translation by Mary Kawena Pukui. Bishop Museum Archives, MS SC Roberts 5.3, pp. 32b–33.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
