Ka Pōhaku o Kā‘anapali
A very long time ago, an interesting meeting took place between young chiefs of Moloka'i and Maui. The Moloka'i chief had sailed in his canoe across the narrow channel that separated his island from Ka'anapali. On meeting young alii of that vicinity, he remarked that he had heard that there were on Maui some high cliffs. "But I see nothing here to compare with the cliffs of Moloka'i" he went on. "The steepness, great height and spectacular beauty of our pali can hardly be imagined by one who has not seen them... They rise above the sea like towering battlements, or like the way to Heaven, depending on one's mood. If you have anything like them on Maui, I should certainly like to see it." He smiled in a confident manner, secure in his belief that Maui's cliffs were inferior to those of his island.
Although at first meeting the Maui ali'i had been strangely attracted to this young man, he was angered and his pride in his island was hurt to hear the cliffs of Maui slighted. It might be true that the pali of Moloka'i were higher and steeper - but he had no proof that they were not - but he resented the superior way in which it had been said. And surely Maui's cliffs were as beautiful as those of any island in the sea!
I won't allow this fellow to think he can come to Maui and speak in such a way, he thought. "I dare you then to try to climb one of our cliffs," he said heatedly. "And our wager will - be a bone."
Now, as the Moloka'i man knew very well, this meant death for him if he should fail, and death for the other if he succeeded. But he was agile and strong, and well skilled in climbing cliffs on Moloka'i that almost defied being scaled. Besides, it would be cowardly to refuse such a challenge.
The Maui chief led him to a boulder that stood near the shore of Ka'anapali.
"Is this your cliff?" The Moloka'i man was unable to believe his eyes.
"Come to this side," said the other.
A depression in the great rock was revealed. "You must stand with your heels together, and moving both feet at the same time, see if you can ascend this rock."
It looked hopeless, as the unlucky man saw at once. But for the honor of his island, as well as for the sake of his own life, he made a desperate attempt. The rock slanted outward above the depression in such a way, however that it was impossible.
Again and again he tried to gain a foothold from which he could leap. At last he turned to the Maui man. "You have won," he said simply. "Our wager was a bone. My life is yours."
The Maui chief had been deeply impressed by the efforts of his rival, and couldn't help admiring him for the sportsmanship which had not let him complain when he saw the "cliff." After all, it had been a trick. "I call our wager off," he said. "Just remember that it is not a good thing to boast. And now, we will be friends."
From time to time, the boulder was called Pohaku o Kaanapali.
Source: Barbara Lyons, The Legends of Hawai'i, Maui News (Maui-Go-Round), Aug. 6, 1966.
