Punamanō
The moʻolelo of this wahi pana speaks of a shark, which was caught near the sea shore of Kahuku Ahupuaʻa. A couple along with some who lived in the village came upon a small shark caught in their net while fishing at night. The shark was carried in a calabash back to their home and kept alive. As the shark grew bigger, new calabashes were filled to fit the growing shark until there were none, which could hold it. The shark was then released into the pond, Punamanō, where it stayed to be with the couple that had raised it. Near the edge of the pond sat a large breadfruit tree. The woman warned the shark to not let anyone steal breadfruit from this tree. One day, the couple made their way toward the mountains to harvest taro and sweet potato.[1] The woman’s brother who had stayed home decided to prepare some food and sought out the breadfruit near the pond. While picking breadfruit, a few had fallen into the pond. Knowing of the shark in the pond the brother did not think twice about going in after the breadfruit for he had bathed in the pond on previous occasions. He did not know however of the warning his sister had given for the shark to watch their ʻulu tree while they were away.[2]
While in the mountains, the woman had a feeling something had happened back at home, so the couple returned from their labor. Upon their return, the brother and the shark was nowhere to be found. There was only two ʻulu floating in the red colored water of the pond. The couple followed the red water until reaching Punaheʻelapa. This shark of Punamanō has never been seen since this day.
[1] McAllister, Archealogy of Oʻahu, 153.
[2] S. Kuapuʻu, “Punamano Spring”, Ka Hae Hawaii, March 20, 1861.
While in the mountains, the woman had a feeling something had happened back at home, so the couple returned from their labor. Upon their return, the brother and the shark was nowhere to be found. There was only two ʻulu floating in the red colored water of the pond. The couple followed the red water until reaching Punaheʻelapa. This shark of Punamanō has never been seen since this day.
[1] McAllister, Archealogy of Oʻahu, 153.
[2] S. Kuapuʻu, “Punamano Spring”, Ka Hae Hawaii, March 20, 1861.