Naupaka Blooming

J.L. Eck

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Part 1

Oahu, Hawaii
Sometime in the late 1600s

Chapter 1
a ‘ohe pu ‘u ki ‘eki ‘e ke ho ‘u ‘o ‘Ia e pi i
No cliff is so tall that it cannot be scaled.

 

Princess Leilani Kekoa stood barefoot at the edge of the rocky cliff, staring out at the blue ocean stretching endlessly around her. Strong winds whipped her long dark hair around her face. Far below, white-capped waves crashed up against the straight edge of the cliff. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, letting the sun warm her skin. She smiled, opened her eyes and jumped.

 
Her heart pounded as she soared through the air, weightless for a moment. Then gravity pulled her down. She straightened her body and arched her back. With her arms at her sides, her toes pointed down, she held her breath. Her fall only lasted a few seconds and then she plunged into the cool ocean water.

 
Leilani let herself sink down to the ocean floor as she examined every detail of the incredible underwater world. Bright yellow butterfly fish darted off as she approached, and crabs scurried away on the colorful coral. And what a nice surprise! A giant honu, a sea turtle, swam lazily nearby. As soon as Leilani noticed it, the turtle turned and made its way toward her. The turtle looked to be as big as Leilani herself. Its shell was a light greenish color with radiating darker green markings. She froze as it approached. Was it her imagination or was the turtle smiling at her? She reached out and her heart skipped a beat as her fingers brushed against the turtle’s shell as it swam by her.

 
Leilani surfaced for air and wondered about her encounter with the honu. The sea turtle was her family aumakua—guardian spirit and protector. This had to be an omen. Excitement and anticipation built up within her. Something big was sure to happen soon.

 
The honu popped its head up out of the water several feet away. Princess and turtle studied each other. Then the honu dived back under and swam away.

 
Leilani laughed. She floated on her back, closed her eyes and pondered the possibilities.
A snapping sound from the nearby shore caused her to turn, looking for the source. But everything was just as it should be. Tall palm trees swayed gently in the breeze and a few nēnē birds pecked in the bushes for food. She was alone here.

 
She sighed. This place made her happy. Unfortunately, she couldn’t stay any longer. She had to make an appearance with her family at the big luau tonight. Of all her many obligations, she hated making public appearances the most. She hated being the center of attention, hated people scrutinizing her. She always had, ever since she had been a child. Now that she had become a woman, it was even worse. Her body had changed a lot over the last few years.

 

She had become curvier and she had breasts now, which only increased the attention she received. But her mother would be angry with her if she didn’t do what was expected, so she swam back toward the shore.

Naupaka Blooming Description:

Set in Hawaii and based on the myth surrounding the Naupaka flower, a little white flower that only grows with half its petals, this is a coming of age love story with second chances, overcoming obstacles and finding peace.

 

In ancient Hawaii, young princess Leilani unexpectedly falls madly in love with Kanoa, a commoner. Even though they are forbidden by custom from even speaking, the two lovers believe the gods approve of their union and they try to find a way to change their fates. But dark forces have other plans for Leilani.

 

Afterwards, the Naukapa flower, a symbol of their love, only grows with half its petals.

 

Many lifetimes later, the two lovers have a second chance at love when their souls are drawn to each other again in modern Hawaii. But they must overcome old and new obstacles in order to finally be together and find peace once and for all.

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