The Hoomanamana Case (1887)

Ka Elele, February 12, 1887.

The Hoʻomanamana Case
     At 9 o'clock in the morning of Friday past, February 4, the Aha Hoʻomalu [Police Court] heard the hoʻomanamana case of Paʻahao (f).
     This woman who practices hoʻomanamana is young, and that kind of practice is unsuitable, and her gods she prays to are "Kamohoaliʻi" and "Laukiomanoikahiki," the latter bring the fish-tailed woman [mermaid] of Kepohoni. Some of her false prophecies were made known to the Aha. Namely, she asked John for five dollars, then, within five days, that Chinese person Kana Huka who ran away would be found. But, only three days, the police found that Chinese fugitive outside of Pāwaʻa [Honolulu].
     When she was asked about the fact that her prophecy did not come to pass, she replied, "My God returned to the Cape of Kepohoni." Such duplicity. Their kauwila wood rod for Kamohoaliʻi was brought before the Court, one taro with leaves of the kind called lauloa, and some stones of the "ʻalā" type [waterworn volcanic stones that are dense rather than porous], one silver/money cup containing alcohol. According to them, this cup was a money collecting cup for their gods. If that cup was set aside in the evening without money in it, when it was fetched the next morning, it would be full of money. Many people were taken in by this, believing it to be true, but there these two were, filling it up with money at night while people slept. Such duplicity.
     Mrs. Kāʻili revealed to the Court that [they] were able to get $60 because of their lies at this place. That female kahuna was fined: [she was sentenced to] ten work days and [ordered to pay a] fine to the Court.

Note:  One of the valuable things about this article is that it offers information on the god named Laukiomanoikahiki.

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