Naha Stone

In ancient Hawai`i, it is said that lifting heavy stones was a form of exercise as well as a sign of strength. Legend says that the Naha stone was brought by a double outrigger canoe from the island of Kaua`i to the Pinao temple. The Naha Stone to weigh 3 ½ tons and served to test claims of those who reported to be of the royal Naha lineage. Legend says that the Naha Stone could determine the legitimacy of such claims. When a boy of said Naha descent was born, he was brought to the Naha stone and laid upon it. The kahuna would pray and chant and if the infant cried at all, he would be disowned and made to live among the commoners. However, if the infant remained silent, he was declared to be of true Naha descent and thus would become a brave and fearless ali`i and a great leader of his fellow men. It is said that only a member of the Naha family possessed the mana or spiritual power to move this large stone. It was also said if one could move the stone, he would become ruler of the island of Hawai`i. Furthermore, if one could overturn it, not only would he be king of Hawai`i island, he would conquer all the islands and bring them under one sovereignty. The high priestess, Kalaniwahine, told a young Pai`ea (who would later become known as Kamehameha)that he had to fulfill the prophecy of overthrowing a mountain before the Hawaiian islands could all come under his rule. Kalaniwahine advised Pai`ea of what exactly what needed to be done and Kamehameha took off for Hilo. There, under the watch of Kalaniwahine and the others who had assembled, Pai`ea attempted to “overthrow his mountain” even though he was not of Naha descent.Some say he simply moved it, some say he overturned it. In any case, Pai`ea went on to become Kamehameha, the one who united the Hawaiian Islands. Today, the Naha stone sits in front of the Hilo Public library along with the Pinao stone. It serves as a reminder that it is possible to break through preconceived notions and stereotypes and achieve what some deem to be "impossible."