Few people are fortunate to wear the lei pua naupaka (Scaveola). Delicate and time consuming, it is a lovely traditional lei. Here, Karen Valentine wears one made for her by Haunani.
The story of the romance of Naupaka is very old, and referenced in a chant for Kualiʻi, a chief of Oʻahu. Over the years, many writers and story tellers have shared innumerable versions. And few adhere to the original, for Naupaka was the man, and the woman was ʻOhikimakaloa.
“From the Song of Kualiʻi the Chant as Repeated by Kapaʻahulani”
Collected by Fornander:
Hānau ka naupaka kū i ke kahakai
O ʻOhikimakaloa ka wahine
O Hoʻopio o Hulumaniani
Kū i ka ʻena anaia i lalo
O Mehepalaoa
Naupaka was then born, which stands by the seashore.
ʻOhikimakaloa the wife,
Hoʻopio, Hulumaniani
Overcome by jealousy he was struck down
by Mehepalaoa.
Photos by permission of Karen Valentine.