WHAT VALUE DO THE OLD KAʻAO HAVE?

Before I state the answers to these questions, I should explain a bit the nature of this word, Kaʻao.

A kaʻao is a story that is composed as a result of the skill and thought of the people of old, as if it is a a true story that was written, clarifying the nature of a certain thing, the actions perhaps of that thing, and the cause perhaps of that thing. And as a result of it being thoroughly memorized, and second nature by it being told by some people, it is called a kaʻao, or perhaps a play would be another name.

Some people believe, the word kaʻao and the word moʻolelo have a single meaning. A kaʻao is a moʻolelo, and a moʻolelo is a kaʻao. Because the two of them are very similar when talking about them. That however is not the opinion of the one who is composing this essay, being that a kaʻao is totally made up, whereas a moʻolelo is actually true. Should this explanation be mistaken, forgive me.

Now your fellow teacher is being urged to turn back to the topic of our essay. That being this: What value do the old kaʻao have? 1. Kaʻao are a source of wealth for those who know the kaʻao. 2. The old kaʻao are important news matter for the new generation of today. The value of some kaʻao are in its good things. The value of some kaʻao are in its bad things. 1. Kaʻao are a source of wealth for those who know the kaʻao. In the old days, aliʻi as well as everyone else had a desire for entertaining kaʻao. Should the aliʻi hear someonen skilled and perhaps entertaining in speaking, along with chanting mele, they were sent for. Their payment would be fish and poi, or kapa and malo perhaps.

And these day, people who are publishing certain kaʻao in the newspapers are being paid. 2. The old kaʻao are important news matter for the new generation of today. My fellow teachers will not be remiss in recalling their joy and yearning for kaʻao that they heard. These are some of those kaʻao. The kaʻao of Hiʻiaka, Keamalu, Kūapākaʻa, Kawelo, and so forth.

So too with the kaʻao of Robiana Lo, which today has become very good news. 3. The value of some kaʻao are in its good things.

Kawelo is famous for his bravery on the battlefield, and so too with Kauahoa. The kaʻao of Pākaʻa is famous for his wind gourd of Laʻamaomao, and the search of his lord for him. And for his strength is why Kailipaula is famous; it is famous as well for the pleasure gained from the the chanted mele and so forth. And that is the value of those kaʻao that urge you to follow after.

A. Panui.
School Teacher of Kapaʻa.