Hula Kapu

By Selma R. Davis

Murder, intrigue, and Polynesian mysticism fill the pages as a group of Hawaiians try to resist land speculators.  A young, retired suburban couple, on vacation in Waikiki, become involved as does an ambitious but dizzy blond who unknowingly fronts for the mob.

Hawaii's scenic beauty, contrasted with its cosmopolitan atmosphere, presents an exotic background for this contemporary mystery and adventure.  The legendary Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele, plays a central role.  

Hula Kapu is a novel about beautiful Hawaii, its land and its mythology.  Barbara and Philip Day, the retired couple on vacation in Hawaii, act as the lens of a camera.  The reader sees and senses Hawaii through their eyes in this easy to read and understand novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 17, 2001
• ISBN: 9781469113715

Selma R. Davis

Selma, a Phi Beta Kappa award winning journalist, with a BA and MA from the University of Pennsylvania, resides in Philadelphia's fabled Main Line and spends two months a year in Hawaii. She uses her passion for accuracy and her insight into people to create memorable characters in a fast-moving, easy to read mystery.

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Copyright © 2000 by Selma R. Davis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

I dedicate this book, Hula Kapu, to my wonderful husband, Edgar, whose support for its success never wavered. And to our three children, Wendy, Sally, and Morris whose questions, criticisms, and encouragement kept me focused during the creative process.

CHAPTER 1

I’m happy to see all of you at this very special meeting of Preserve Our Natural Shores. We have a full agenda. First, Lilio, the Waikiki Chamber of Commerce has agreed to continue funding your weekend hula shows at Kuhio Beach. I know that you were worried, but the crowds are growing each week and the Chamber is very pleased. So you are assured of continued support.

Thank you, Kono. That’s wonderful. I am pleased. Our dances help educate people about the traditional Hawaiian ways, and, in truth I was afraid the Chamber might drop its support.

"Kimo, the Waikiki Chamber has also agreed to continue funding the torch lighting ceremony. And, Kimo, your conch shell provides just the right tone. It makes the small hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The sound seems to come across the ages. It’s what we want at Kuhio Beach, not honky-tonk, paper-moon, and plastic flower stuff. Congratulations to you Kimo, and to you Paul, Maka, and Nate. Good job at lamp lighting. Keep up the good work.

The audience is getting bigger every week, thanks to the newspaper publicity we’re getting and the word of mouth praise from tourists.

Lilio, this third item involves you too. We started fund raising for your dialysis treatments and preparation for the transplanted kidney. Just hang loose and keep fighting. Everyone is praying for you. I’m sure we can raise some money to help with your bills.

I can’t tell you how much Kekoa and I appreciate what you are doing for me, Lilio said, but I feel guilty. There are so many other needs. The group could use that money to save our lands and our heritage.

"Yes, we do need lots of money. This brings me to the fourth and final item and that is the pressure to sell that we’re getting from land developers, real estate speculators, and foreign business people. Pressure to sell our irreplaceable inheritance, our lands, to forsake our Hawaiian heritage, and to turn away from our Hawaiian gods. Surely our gods and the gods of our ancestors are angry that our beaches are being turned into Coney-Islands and our forests into housing developments. Our beautiful koa trees are almost all gone, destroyed by so-called civilization. And now, this threat to us and our homes. We’ve held on to our little cove before and we’ll figure out some way to keep our land now.

"How many have gotten offers to buy your land since last month’s meeting? Hands please.

"Just as I feared. Everyone along the shore. I know how much we all could use money but not this way. After the money’s gone, you’ll have nothing. Your children and their children will have nothing—the land is forever and it is irreplaceable.

I know it’s tempting. But hold on. Working as a group, we’ll figure something out. If you have special money problems, tell us about them before you sell. You know, we’ll do all we can to help you.

Duke, a young Hawaiian, standing in the back of Lilio’s dance studio, pushed to the front of the room. His pony tail swung across his broad shoulders. He waved his arms and said, Talk don’t get it done. You gotta speak a language the haole understands. Haole understands action. Me and my brother could stop them by breakin’ a head or two. I read that tourists are staying away from Florida after one or two of ‘em got killed. Our forefathers knew what worked. After they took care of Captain Cook on the beach at Kauai, our lands were safe from foreigners for many years.

Kono tried to calm him by encircling his body with a bear hug but Duke shook free and glowered. "No, Duke. Calm down.

That’s out! Definitely out. No violence. We can’t stop them that way. I understand how you feel but what you want to do is wrong."

Duke turned his back, stiffened his arms, clenched his fists and stalked out; his brother followed.

They’ll be back after they cool off. Let them go, Kono said. "Now, are there any legal suggestions?

"Has anyone agreed to consider selling? Don’t be ashamed to speak up. Tell us so we can help.

"Don’t be afraid to raise your hands. Madam Pele won’t strike you down. Just to consider selling is human and Pele doesn’t punish thought. She recognizes humanity in everyone.

Iwao, some one told me that you’ve been approached about selling.

It’s true. Yesterday, a woman from the mainland, blond, kind of attractive, flighty, mid 40’s. She offered me $10,000 for an option on my land. The option’s good for two months. And when the option is picked up, she promised me at least $250,000 more. She promised the $10,000 would be mine to keep regardless. I don’t know why, but there was something about her that didn’t seem real. I don’t know if I believe her because she rambled, changed the subject a lot, tossed her hair, blinked her eyes, and tried to seem very sincere, but …

What did you tell her?

I told her I’d think about her offer.

What about you, Paul, has she approached you about selling?

Yes, Kono, I’m sure it was the same woman. Blond, tight clothes, and a lot of dyed hair. She talked non stop. Like Iwao, I told her I’d think about her offer.

Who else has the blond talked to?

I count 5 hands. Has anyone agreed? I see. Good. No one. This woman must have a lot of money to be able to offer you all $10,000 each. Has she shown any money to anyone?

Iwao said, Not me. She told me that she will have to owe it to me but that it is no problem for her to get it and she will have it in my hands within a week if I will sign the option now. But, I told her I’d have to see the money first. She said that she would be back but would I agree verbally. I told her no way. Even if I saw the money, I might not agree.

That pretty much holds for me too, said Nate.

And me, and me, and me too. A hand count showed that no one agreed to sell and no one had gotten a red cent. The mainlander had approached all the club members with shore-line properties on this small cove at Makapu Point.

Men and women, remember this, if you sell, where will you go? What’s left of unspoiled Hawaii should be for Hawaiians. This view from our land is sacred. The very land itself is sacred. The gods will not be happy with the loss and desecration of our land. Nanakaokaha’i, the sea goddess, has the power to drown our lands any time she pleases. What will become of Hawaiian traditions? Don’t sell your birth right. Don’t sell our fathers’ fathers’ lands.

Enthusiastic applause interrupted Kono. He held up his arms for quiet. There was still some business to conduct.

"Let’s plan to meet here at Lilio’s studio next week. Please remember, talk to me before you agree to sell. We’ll find a way to help you keep your land. Time is on our side.

But Lilio doesn’t have time. Who can do something to raise money to help her?

We’re making plumeria leis and we’re going to sell them at the hula shows and the lamp lighting ceremony. I already checked with the Waikiki Chamber and they gave us a green light. Please volunteer to help make the leis and sell them.

Lilio said, Thank you. I feel so bad asking people to help. My poor husband is working night and day but it’s never enough. Your generosity to my family is, is … Thank you, thank you. I’m sorry. I have to sit down. After she regained a measure of composure, Lilio said, You know, I am a true Hawaiian, the blood of Polynesia, Scotland, Germany and Japan flows in me. My religious beliefs are a blend too but I believe that this land is sacred and we should not sell as long as we have a breath left. My husband is very worried about me, otherwise he wouldn’t even have listened to this blond woman. It appears that we have the pivotal piece of land and she was doing everything possible, trying to seduce him to sell. But he’s a stubborn moke and will never agree to sell. He’s a believer in kapu, and fears the Hawaiian gods even though he pretends otherwise. He wouldn’t do anything he thought would anger the gods and selling our sacred lands would certainly anger Madam Pele. But I know that he’s worried about my health and I don’t know what he’ll do if I get weaker.

There was some applause and Kono ended the evening meeting of Preserve Our Natural Shores.

Kono gathered his papers together and walked over to Lilio. She didn’t look well and this worry over dialysis coupled with the pressure to sell their land drains her strength.

Be sure to let me know, Lilio, if there is anything more we can do for you.

Thanks, Kono. I’ll be fine. The view from my house is the most spectacular in the world. I take a cup of tea and my favorite book outside, sit in the crook of the tree in our protected beach, and watch the gentle Pacific Ocean waves hit against the coral reef and then meander onto the shore. It gives me strength. You know, Kono, waves are like fingerprints, no two are alike. When I walk back to the house, I feel renewed, stronger and not afraid of the future.

CHAPTER 2

The cab is here, darling, Philip called from the front porch, are you almost ready?

Barbara finished wrapping the packing tape around the carton of cold and frozen food, lugged it to the porch, wiped her brow, smiled, and said yes, Ace, still calling him by his high school nickname.

Joe Kelly of Kelly’s Kabs in Ardmore, Pennsylvania loaded the cartons and duffel bags, as Barbara and Philip watched and grinned with anticipation of their 2-week vacation in paradise. The Days agree with Mark Twain’s famous observation, that to die in Hawaii and go to heaven just means going from one paradise to another.

Barbara entertained herself on the 16 hour flight to Hawaii by reading one of her 6 new mystery books, purchased just for this vacation. She has been an avid and long-time reader of mystery, detective, and adventure stories and finds it strange that Philip prefers non-fiction books.

Philip brought along his latest photography magazines and plotted some of their Hawaii vacation to include surfing, exotic flowers, beach scenes, seascapes, and boat harbors. Barbara thought this was unnecessary. To her, all of Hawaii is filled with beautiful photo opportunities.

They arrived at the Honolulu International Airport, worn out by the long flight, but still in good spirits. The airport seemed even more beautiful than they remembered from their previous trips.

Philip inhaled deeply and asked Barbara if she also noticed a change in the air.

"It’s different. We’re in Paradise. Everything is better.

Do you remember all those beautiful palm trees just outside the building, darling, and look at those plantings of hibiscus and arthurians. Can you believe it? Isn’t this just the most perfect place? Paradise, indeed. And then she embarrassed him right there in the airport by giving him a great big kiss.

Philip was looking for the Diamond Head Aloha group that was supposed to meet them, help them with their luggage, and transport them to the hotel. They had their carry-ons with them (food and drink for the 16 hour door-to-door trip) but had to wait for the luggage carousel to spew forth their two duffles and their three cartons of food.

They always take their food for vacations with them. She has many allergies, and they want to eat foods that are low in both fat and sodium. They booked the same room with kitchenette in the Outrigger hotel that they had occupied last spring.

Barbara prepared all the meals for the trip before they left and packaged them in portion-sized freezer and microwave safe containers. The frozen half gallons of Tropicana Grovestand Orange Juice (his favorite) helped keep the rest of the cold and frozen foods cold and frozen during the long plane trip.

Philip returned and said, I found the people who were supposed to meet us. They’re on their way. The young men apologized for not being at the gate, making up in enthusiasm what they lacked in promptness. There have been a lot of arrivals this afternoon. Just hang loose, and we’ll be right with you. They draped red and white carnation leis around the Days’ necks with the traditional Hawaiian greeting of Aloha. They gathered the luggage, smiling all the time, and reassuring the Days with hang loose brudders, we’re almost ready to go.

The cartons go on the bottom, Barbara said to the shuttle van driver, a 250-pound woman with Hawaiian features. She had broad nostrils, a dark complexion, straight black hair, full cheeks, and a dazzling smile. Then the duffels can go on top. We’ll take our two carryons with us.

During the 20-minute shuttle bus ride to the hotel in Waikiki, the cheerful woman van driver apologized for the traffic and then horrified the passengers with her weather report, Last week it poured every day, she said. But you people must have brought the sunshine with you. The weathermen said that the storms have gone. We can expect beautiful weather from now on, for as long as they can predict. A young german girl translated for her parents who were sitting stiffly along side her.

Check-in was smooth, the room just as they remembered with an undercounter refrigerator, dishes, silverware, and glasses, a microwave, and a coffeemaker. The view from the lanai, the Pacific Ocean, was as spectacular and everchanging as before, and they felt that they were truly in paradise.

As they were changing into their bathing suits for a quick swim in the glorious Pacific, he looked at his bride of 32 years and with a mock leer said the salt air is starting to work its magic.

I know all about it.

Philip changed the subject and said, Did you see that Don Ho is appearing across the street? After our swim, let’s write him a note.

About what?

We can say that we want to get in touch with Dickie Thompson because Chris from Atlantic City asked to be remembered to him. Chris Columbo, at 92 years old, was a drummer the Days had befriended on a previous vacation in New Jersey. He said that Dickie played great jazz guitar with Don Ho. We’ll include our name and room number so Don Ho can get back to us.

Dream on, Ace.

After their refreshing dip, they delivered their message to the booth that was selling tickets to the Don Ho performance and then walked along Lewers Street, soaking up the air, enjoying the tropical sights and smells, and avoiding the blue suede shoe guys and gals who were trying to sell time shares to unsuspecting tourists.

Barbara, will you look at that. All these pedestrians, and not one jay-walker. They would never get across the street in Philadelphia.

And these laid back time-share guys. They’d go broke in Atlantic City.

Hanging loose, he reminded her.

They came to an open air restaurant on the corner. A guitar player was strumming and singing. Photographs of celebrities and signs that said that you never know who will be sitting at the next table adorned the walls. Everyone pictured supposedly dined at this restaurant.

As they walked by the guitar player started to sing Moon River.

Our song, Ace.

When they were courting it was Andy Williams’ big hit.

She was struck with the romantic coincidence. He took her hand in his without saying a word and they both remembered their courtship and how perfect their life still was. Retirement is great.

They ambled over to the ABC Store across the street, purchased 2 straw mats for 99 cents each to take to the beach the next day, a couple of bags of Kona blend coffee (the signs said that this was a one day only sale), two beautiful Hawaiian mugs for their coffee, and a bottle of their favorite wine for that evening.

Any fatigue they experienced as a result of the flight melted away. They felt like honeymooners even though they had not slept for 24 hours.

CHAPTER 3

Philip awoke to the smell of freshly brewed Hawaiian coffee.

What would you like for breakfast this morning, sweetheart? Barbara asked. It’s going to be a glorious day in paradise. The fresh bread will be ready in about 7 minutes.

Barbara poured them each a cup of the just made Kona coffee.

These Hawaiian mugs really make the vacation, don’t they, Ace?

Yes, dear. What would you like do today? Honolulu beckons.

You know, I want to relax on the beach. But not too early because then we’ll get too much sun and not be able to laze around every day. Let’s go shopping after breakfast.

You always put such enthusiasm into shopping. How can I refuse? Where do you want to start?

I think I want to go to the International Market first. But you haven’t yet said what you want for breakfast. Omelet? Pancakes? Cereal? Or just bread?

It’s wonderful just sitting out here on our lanai, drinking coffee. Let’s start out with juice, fresh bread, and another cup of this wonderful Hawaiian blend, OK?

Consider it done.