CARD
!>”AD 1620″<
“A bloody internal rebellion has torn the Kingdom of Hawaii apart. Now, the new king and queen must rally their war-weary subjects to repel an invasion by the army of a powerful neighbor.”
END CARD
EXT. OCEAN OFF LEEWARD COAST – DAY #1#
Five very large TIGER SHARKS are tearing up and devouring a partially-submerged body of some sort.
The water is frothy and red with blood.
An underwater SPLASH is heard and several of the sharks break off their feeding and head toward the source of the sound.
EXT. LEEWARD COASTAL CLIFF – DAY #2#
The air is hot and still.
Flies buzz around a pile of bloated human bodies lying on sun-baked lava on the island of HAWAII. The limbs of the bodies have unnatural orientations relative to their trunks. A fly crawls out of a nostril of one of the bodies.
The lower halves of the bodies of TWO MEN dressed in loincloths (malo) are visible. They are throwing one human body after another off a 12 foot high rocky cliff and into the surging ocean.
One of the human bodies groans as he is picked up, but after one of the Men glances inland, he is dutifully tossed in anyway.
A SPLASH occurs as the body hits the water.
Several shark fins race toward the body as sea gulls quickly snatch pieces of meat from the surface.
EXT. LEEWARD COASTAL VILLAGE – DAY #3#
A young king, PONO (18) (POE-no), and his beautiful young queen, LANI (16) (LAW-knee), walk quickly past the smoldering ruins of a leeward coastal village. Lani is in front, setting the pace. They are followed by several ROYAL GUARDS. Everyone is sweating, dirty, and bloodied.
At the beach, the ocean is a shimmering peacock blue. A steep, pockmarked and rusty volcanic cliff blocks views of the mountains above. The air is hot and the land is arid.
The village is a collection of houses, each of which consists of a low rock wall upon which a wooden framework with a thatched covering rests. Many of the houses are burned down to the rock foundations.
FOUR MEN are peeling back banana leaves and removing a roast dog from an underground oven using two poles. Women and children gather around preparing for a meal.
Pono is handsome, athletic, and charismatic and is dressed in a loin cloth. He has a healing gash through an eyebrow. His black hair is long on the top and cascades down his back but is shaved on the sides. Lani is regal, lighter-skinned, and dressed in a skirt (pa’u). Her black hair is short.
WOUNDED WARRIORS prostrate themselves before their queen and look at Pono with great respect and admiration.
Pono’s eyes shows he is disgusted by what they see. Lani is saddened.
LANI
We can’t let this happen again.
PONO
Our advisors want me to sacrifice the rebel general to my war god tomorrow.
LANI
I’m so sorry, Pono. So many of your brothers ….
PONO
Brothers who wanted me dead!
As the couple continue on their mission, Lani has a worried look on her face.
EXT. REFUGE CAVE – LATER #4#
The refuge cave is a large lava tube. Its dusty entrance is concealed by a stone wall leaving a narrow passageway through which only one person can pass at a time.
As Pono and Lani quickly approach, perhaps a hundred ELDERLY MEN, WOMEN, and CHILDREN are stumbling one by one out of the cave entrance, sheltering their eyes from the sun.
PONO
The entrance wasn’t breached by the rebels.
A Woman carrying an INFANT that Pono and Lani recognize exits the cave entrance. The Infant has reddish brown hair (‘ehu).
Pono and Lani rush up to the WOMAN who hands the Infant to LANI and then bows. Lani is crying in relief.
PONO
Thank the gods you are safe!
Lani holds the Infant closely, murmuring to him.
LANI
(to the Woman)
Let his father know he is all right.
Lani reluctantly hands the Infant back to the woman. The Woman bows and leaves with the Infant. Pono and Lani embrace, relieved.
EXT. LEEWARD BEACH – DAY #5#
The sun is beating down. A harsh, hot wind (the area’s infamous mumuku) blows down from the uplands.
Whale Hill Temple (heiau), a large pile of dusty, carefully-stacked, rust-colored rocks with a flat platform at its top, rises ominously on a hill in the background, just off the beach.
On the beach, Pono’s half brother (21), REBEL GENERAL, a large but bloodied and defeated man dressed in a ragged but still beautiful feathered cape and helmet, is marched by Royal Guards up to Pono.
PONO
(to Rebel General)
Sorry it had to end this way.
The Rebel General scowls.
PONO
(to Royal Guards)
Kill him. Do it quickly.
Rebel General is dragged over to a coconut palm tree and tied standing to it. He is not as brave now.
A loop of cord is placed around his neck and the ends of the cord are pulled on by TWO EXECUTIONERS choking the Rebel General until he slumps over dead.
PONO
I want his body sacrificed to my war god today.
The Two Executioners nod.
_EXT. WHALE HILL TEMPLE – LATER_ #6#
Rebel General’s body is sacrificed to Pono’s WAR GOD (Kuka`ilimoku) in an elaborate temple ceremony carried out by the PRIESTS.
The wooden War God has a large mouth with jagged teeth. It is carried into the temple by the Priests and placed on a stone altar at one end of the platform.
Rebel General’s naked body is washed, carried into the temple, scorched on the sacrificial fire, and placed on an elevated wooden structure.
Pono, Lani and two of Pono’s other half-brothers, KANALOA (20) (CAN-ah-low-ah) and KEA (17) (KAY-ah) watch the sacrifice in royal regalia. Lani stands between Pono and Kanaloa, who obviously do not like one another.
Kanaloa has reddish brown hair.
Kea, a lighter-skinned little person, stands next to Pono and is dressed like the Hawaiian fighting (lua) expert he is, with his body shaved.
LANI
(aside to Pono)
You had to make an example.
PONO
The rebellion ends here…
PONO
(looks at Kanaloa)
as long as brother Kanaloa accepts my rule.
Kanaloa casts his eyes downward, but is not ashamed. Kea frowns at Kanaloa.
EXT. SOUTHERN FIELD SYSTEM – DAY #7#
Pono and Lani visit the Southern Field System, one of two large gardens that feed their people. The gardens are the jewels of their kingdom.
Thousands of FARMERS are tending breadfruit trees planted in grove that extends 20 miles along the coast.
Forest clearing work is just beginning on the higher elevation fields of the garden.
Pono hands are dirty. He picks up a handful of dirt, bringing it up to his nose to smell.
PONO
(to Lani)
This is what I enjoy.
LANI
(beaming)
Pono, I’m proud of you. You have a green thumb just like your grandfather.
Pono and Lani rub noses. Then, Pono wanders off to direct the Farmers.
PONO
(to one Farmer)
I know how we did it in the Northern Field System. But here I want the low walls between the fields to run up and down the slope. We want the walls to slow down the mist so that it will drip on our crops.
FARMER
Yes, Sire!
PONO
(to Lani)
By next summer, our food supply will be secure.
Pono smiles with satisfaction.
INT. MAUI KING’S COMPOUND – NIGHT #8#
MAUI KING (40) and MAUI KING’ SON (17) are sitting on adjacent mats in the men’s house in the light of flickering oil nut (kukui) candles.
They are drinking the intoxicant of the nobility (awa) from a cup. They are drowsy and their speech is slurred. The Maui King has dry, flaking, yellowed skin, and reddened eyes from long-term awa use.
Both are large men and have cruel faces. They are dressed in loin cloths.
MAUI KING
I am getting a lot of conflicting advice. What do YOU think, Son?
MAUI KING’S SON
We just don’t have the combination of rich soil and rain at the same place like Hawaii does. It’s time for us to take what we need.
MAUI KING
(smiling)
And I hear the Hawaii Queen is the most beautiful woman in the islands. You could use another wife, couldn’t you?
MAUI KING’S SON
(smiling back)
Yes, Father, I could.
Maui King nods and falls backward, asleep. His son stares at him with an intense look on his face and then falls asleep, too.
EXT. KONA BEACH – DAY #9#
From afar, Pono and Kea watch a group of three young SISTERS, one of which is Pono’s future SECOND WIFE (15), frolic naked in calm water that covers the lower halves of their bodies. Both Pono and Kea are washed and wearing a new loincloth.
Their chaperones, a group of OLDER WOMEN dressed in skirts, prepare bark cloth (tapa) on the beach.
PONO
So, one of these women is to be my political wife. Which sister should I choose?
KEA
Well, one beautiful wife is more than a handful. Remember our father’s problems. With so many beautiful women in his court, he could not think straight.
Kea playfully hits Pono on the upper arm. Pono winces, smiling.
KEA
I recommend the plain one.
PONO
They all look healthy, but I guess you’re right. My life is complicated enough as it is. I’ll see what she’s like.
Pono walks down to the surf and beckons his future Second Wife.
She smiles and motions for him to turn around and then runs up the Older Women. She puts on her skirt, approaches him and bows.
SECOND WIFE
Good morning, sire.
PONO
You and your sisters look like you’re having fun.
SECOND WIFE
We don’t want to be disrespectful, but after what we’ve all gone through, we needed a break.
PONO
I appreciated your father’s loyalty during the rebellion and would like our families to be closer.
SECOND WIFE
Your leadership made all the difference.
PONO
Umm, when I say our families, I mean you and I.
SECOND WIFE
It is my father who decides who I can become closer to.
PONO
Do I have your permission to ask him?
SECOND WIFE
You can ask.
PONO
Thank you. I will do that. Do you think, if he says yes, that you could love me?
SECOND WIFE
(smiling)
We will see.
PONO
I take your leave, then. I will talk to your father.
As Pono leaves, Second Wife turns toward her Sisters with a big smile on her face.
EXT. TRAIL TO WOMEN’S TEMPLE – DAY #10#
Pono walks uphill alone on a trail along a tumbling stream of reddish brown water. The terrain is dry at first, but becomes more verdant with altitude.
DUCKS feeding in pools along the stream take flight as he approaches.
Waterfalls along the upper trail create a cold mist that is carried downhill by a trade wind breeze.
Rainbows touch the ground as he approaches the only woman’s temple on the island.
The temple is a stone platform on top of a rock outcropping. Thatched houses are enclosed by a rock wall that surrounds the temple compound.
The rainbows color the rain a blood red, giving the area a sacred aura.
EXT. WOMEN’S TEMPLE – DAY #11#
When Pono reaches the Women’s Temple, he waits while PONO’S MOTHER (40), an older woman in a while robe, finishes chanting to a group of ten YOUNG WOMEN dressed in skirts, pointing out the parts of a medicinal native plant.
As she finished her lesson, she sees him approach and walks over to greet him with a hug. They wander away from the group.
PONO’S MOTHER
How are you?
PONO
I’m fine, Mother. We are making great progress in expanding the gardens.
PONO
How are you feeling?
PONO’S MOTHER
I am doing well for an old teacher.
PONO
We all appreciate your training our nurses.
Pono’s mother smiles.
PONO
I need some advice.
PONO’S MOTHER
About what?
PONO
I need to take the daughter of a Kona chief as a second wife. How should I tell Lani?
PONO’S MOTHER
Gently. She loves you and will understand the politics involved.
Pono and Pono’s Mother hug.
PONO
I’ll let you know how it goes.
_INT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – NIGHT_ #12#
Before they part to eat the evening meal, Pono in the men’s house (hale mua) and Lani in the women’s house (hale aina), Pono and Lani embrace and talk.
PONO
You understand, don’t you?
LANI
I understand you want to take a second wife.
PONO
Yes, but only to assure the loyalty of the Kona chiefs.
LANI
Are you sure that’s your only reason?
PONO
Really, it is.
LANI
You’re not still upset that you and I can’t have children?
PONO
No. Your and Kanaloa’s sons are my sons. You know that.
Lani frowns before they rub noses and walk toward their separate eating houses.
EXT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – LATER #13#
Pono and Lani meet after dinner and walk hand in hand to their family living house (hale noho). The family living house has a rock wall border and a thatched roof. Its floor is covered with many layers of tapa mats.
LANI
Do you want to have children with your second wife?
PONO
If you are asking if I will sleep with her some nights, I think you know that will happen.
LANI
I understand why this is necessary but I don’t like that part.
PONO
(smiling)
I’ll try to keep it to a minimum.
LANI
You had better.
They snuggle.
LANI’S DREAM SEQUENCE
EXT. KONA REEF – DAY #14#
It is a dark and stormy day. A Kona wind from the southwest is howling as giant waves break on the reef.
The young woman who will become Lani’s SPANISH GRANDMOTHER (20) drags herself up on the beach as the remains of a shipwrecked Spanish Galleon are torn apart offshore of Hawaii island.
Nearby, a SPANISH MAN (24) struggles in the surf. Lani’s Spanish Grandmother pushes herself up on her feet and runs over to the Spanish Man and kneels and prays.
SPANISH GRANDMOTHER
Virgin Mary, thank you for saving my brother!
The Spanish Man weakly smiles.
EXT. KONA COAST – DAY #15#
A YOUNG LANI (4) and a YOUNG KEA (5), both obviously of Spanish decent, are watched by their beautiful OLDER SPANISH GRANDMOTHER (50) while they play. Young Kea adores Young Lani, but gets a little rough.
YOUNG LANI
Ouch!
OLDER SPANISH GRANDMOTHER
Kea, you be nice. I want you to protect Lani.
YOUNG KEA
I will, Grandmother.
OLDER SPANISH GRANDMOTHER
I know you will.
END OF DREAM SEQUENCE
INT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – LATER #16#
Lani awakens from her dream. She is worried.
LANI
(mumbling)
Grandmother (Tutu)! Protect us all!
EXT. MAUI KING’S COMPOUND – DAY #17#
Kanaloa meets in secret with Maui King, who is in the process of having his GUARDS break the leg and arm bones of a captured ENEMY CHIEF. Each limb is held by two Guards on a wooden fixture and a third Guard hits it with a large club, breaking the bone as the Enemy Chief screams.
KANALOA
(transfixed by the captive’s pain)
Sire. It only makes sense that you should rule both Hawaii and Maui.
MAUI KING
I am glad you understand that we can all be one happy family.
KANALOA
(looking away from the spectacle)
So, it’s agreed. You will appoint me reagent of Hawaii island if I help you get rid of Pono.
MAUI KING
(wryly to the captive)
Your pain is my pain.
MAUI KING
(to Kanaloa)
That’s our agreement.
Kanaloa shudders and takes his leave.
INT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – DAY #18#
Pono’s step co-fathers (retainers/relatives who raised him), FIRST FATHER (55) and SECOND FATHER (53), enter. First Father is dignified and his white hair extends to his waist. Second Father is more playful.
Pono hugs First Father.
PONO
Welcome, father.
Then he hugs Second Father.
PONO
Welcome, father.
PONO
(to both of them)
How are you? How is Auntie?
SECOND FATHER
I am doing well, as is my brother here. Our wife still thinks she is in charge.
Pono smiles.
FIRST FATHER
(now more serious)
We hear that Maui is jealous of your field systems.
PONO
I have heard the rumors, too. Kea and I have been talking about paying Maui a visit. If they have mischief on their minds, maybe we can outsmart them.
FIRST FATHER
True, a king must be smart. But, as you know, war always has unintended consequences.
PONO
Thank you, father. We will be careful.
They rub noses and part.
EXT. MAUI PLAIN – DAY #19#
The Maui King and his MAUI GENERAL sit on a dias viewing a mock battle. There are about four thousand warriors in each “army.”
Both of the armies are arrayed in standard Hawaiian battle formations.
Out front are skirmishers (huna lewa) carrying javelins (ihe). They are backed by a larger body (huna paa).
Behind these come groups of perhaps a thousand veteran warriors each (waa kaua).
Last come the mass of the rank-and-file soldiery (poe kaua).
In their midst stand the army’s leaders in feathered capes surrounded by their friends and images of their gods. They are encircled by a royal bodyguard (papa-kaua) armed with pololu spears.
The armies charge toward one another yelling at the tops of their lungs.
MEMBERS OF THE MAUI KING’S COURT look on from the sidelines, one of which is a HAWAII SPY.
MAUI KING
Our army looks prepared.
MAUI GENERAL
Sire, we are ready to invade Hawaii whenever you wish.
MAUI KING
How many warriors can we transport across the channel?
MAUI GENERAL
We have enough canoes to transport about 20,000.
MAUI KING
I will consult with my priests to select the best time.
The Hawaii Spy surreptitiously backs away from the group and heads toward the beach.
EXT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – DAY #20#
Kea is listening to Hawaii Spy on the beach. He runs up to Pono with news.
KEA
Pono!
PONO
What do you need, bruddah?
Kea talks softly to Pono.
KEA
The rumors are true. Maui is preparing to invade. They think the rebellion has weakened us and want to capture our field systems. They don’t know we know about their plans.
PONO
Let’s visit Maui and get the lay of the land.
KEA
I’m with you.
PONO
I have a plan, too. I want them to think that we really are weak and that you and I are not getting along.
KEA
(smiling)
That should be easy.
PONO
Don’t tell anyone else, especially bruddah Kanaloa.
KEA
Got it.
The pair walk off together.
EXT. CHANNEL BETWEEN HAWAII AND MAUI – DAY #21#
Pono and Kea set out to visit the Maui King in a double-hulled canoe paddled by twelve GOURD HELMETED PADDLERS. They all dressed in loin cloths and Pono and Kea wear colorful (yellow and red) feathered capes and helmets. Pono’s royal standard (kahili) flies over the canoe.
As the canoe approaches the beach, Pono sees the Maui King.
PONO
(to Kea)
There he is. Follow my lead.
The canoe rides a wave up onto the beach and is secured by Gourd Helmeted Paddlers.
INT. MAUI KING’S COURT – DAY #22#
Maui King sits on a wooden throne. Flanking him are the members of his court, including MAUI PRIME MINISTER, MAUI GENERAL, MAUI HIGH PRIEST, MAUI RETAINER, and a throng of HANGERS-ON.
As Pono and and Kea approach the court, they see a COMMONER (20) prostrating himself before the Maui King.
COMMONER
My king, I apologize for casting my shadow on you. I could not avoid it.
MAUI KING
(to Retainer)
Take him away and kill him.
Retainer hauls Commoner off.
Maui King turns to greet Pono and Kea.
MAUI KING
Welcome, Cousin! How is Lani?
PONO
She’s fine. I heard the surf was kicking up over here.
MAUI KING
It is. Let’s get some surfing in before lunch.
The two grab their surf boards and head for the surf.
EXT. OFF MAUI COAST – LATER #23#
Pono and Maui King are sitting on their boards waiting for a wave.
MAUI KING
I was surprised to hear about the commotion in your kingdom.
PONO
It was a very destructive rebellion. We lost a lot of good people, especially along the Kona coast.
MAUI KING
I assume the situation is under control now.
PONO
Pretty much. It’ll be a while before parts of the Kona coast are resettled.
MAUI KING
How did your side fare?
PONO
Pretty well. To tell you the truth, though, Kea was participated in some unbelievably violent battles. He’s still not thinking very straight.
A big wave moves through. They both try for it. Pono lets Maui King catch the wave.
_EXT. MAUI BEACH – LATER_ #24#
After surfing, Pono and Maui King sit down to lunch. They are joined by Kea and MAUI GENERAL (20), Maui King’s top general.
Pono pretends that Kea is in trouble for being late cooking Pono’s lunch.
PONO
(to Kea)
Where’s my lunch? I’m famished.
Kea pretends like he is ashamed.
KEA
It is not ready my king.
Pono frowns and slaps Kea’s face, causing Kea to wince, and giving Maui King the impression that Kea and he are at odds.
KEA
(through his teeth)
I apologize. It won’t happen again.
Kea quickly cooks the lunch and feeds Pono.
MAUI KING
That was quick. I’m impressed. Maybe you should work for me.
PONO
He’s my right hand man.
MAUI KING
I see.
Maui King winks at his Maui General.
EXT. MAUI BEACH – LATER #25#
Kea and Maui General wander off down the beach. They trade barbs. The Maui General, who is a giant, berates Kea.
MAUI GENERAL
How did a little guy like you become a general?
Kea does not mention his skills and accomplishments.
KEA
Pono is my brother. How did you become a general?
MAUI GENERAL
I earned my position in battle.
Pono calls from the canoe.
PONO
(to Kea)
Time to go home.
Kea heads for the canoe.
EXT. CHANNEL BETWEEN MAUI AND HAWAII – DAY #26#
In their canoe, Pono and Kea strategize about their Maui visit on the way back to Hawaii.
PONO
I think that went well.
Kea rubs his cheek.
KEA
Maybe for you.
PONO
Oh, did I hurt my baby bruddah?
Kea splashes Pono with seawater playfully.
PONO
They think we are weak and at odds with one another. Good. Now we have to execute the rest of the plan.
The Gourd Helmeted Paddlers continue paddling.
EXT. KONA COAST #27#
Pono arrives in a coastal village to arrange to marry a daughter of a powerful KONA CHIEF.
KONA CHIEF
Welcome, my king.
PONO
I come to ask for the hand of your oldest daughter in marriage.
KONA CHIEF
What will I get in return?
Pono points to a double canoe that is full of tribute.
PONO
The canoe and its contents are yours. There is more to come.
Kona Chief smiles and nods.
KONA CHIEF
How will your children be ranked? I understand the first son of Lani and Kanaloa is destined for the throne.
PONO
I am my father’s highest ranking son. Your family is highly ranked, too. Who knows what will happen.
Pono winks.
Kona Chief laughs.
INT. WAIMEA – NIGHT #28#
A cold, horizontal, misty rain (kipu’upu’u) is driven through the village by trade wind gusts. The moon and stars are visible above the tree tops through breaks in the rapidly moving clouds.
Kanaloa meets in secret with SUPPORTER NO. 1 and SUPPORTER NO. 2 in a dark house lit by a candlenut lamp.
KANALOA
I’ve been assured that we will be in charge after the Maui invasion.
SUPPORTER NO. 1
When will the invasion happen?
KANALOA
Soon.
SUPPORTER NO. 2
I’m really looking forward to seeing your brother dead.
EXT. KING’S COMPOUND – DAY #29#
Pono and Second Wife are married in a festive ceremony.
Pono, Second Wife, Kona Chief, and Kona Chief’s Wife sit on a dias surrounded by hundreds of ONLOOKERS. Loli presents Kona Chief with tribute: roasted pigs and dogs, containers of poi, sweet potatoes, and sugar cane.
KONA CHIEF’S RETAINERS present Pono with similar gifts.
A troop of WOMAN HULA DANCERS entertain the crowd.
BOXERS also entertain the crowd.
Everyone feasts and celebrates the marriage.
INT. MAUI KING’S COURT – DAY #30#
Maui King orders his MAUI KING’S SON to reconnoiter Hawaii island coast to assess defenses.
Maui King’s Son is flirting with a woman in the court.
MAUI KING
Son, I have something I want you to do.
MAUI KING’S SON
What is it, father?
MAUI KING
I want you to reconnoiter the Kona coast to see what sort of defenses they have.
MAUI KING’S SON
At your command.
Maui King’s Son exits.
INT. ROYAL HOUSE OF IMPURITY – NIGHT #31#
Lani and Second Wife have begun having their period at the same time each month. Because women are considered contaminated by their menses, they end up in the royal compound’s house of impurity (hale pe’a) at the same time. Second Wife walks up to the door and sees Lani within.
SECOND WIFE
Pardon me, Your Majesty. It’s my time and I must stay here a while, too.
LANI
Come in. Hopefully, we won’t be here
long.
SECOND WIFE
Thank you.
Second Wife enters with her head down and places her personal items on the sleeping space against the back wall of the house. The sleeping space is covered with fine dried vines over pebbles. On top, fine soft mats make of flexible pandanus leaf are laid.
LANI
Sit with me.
Second Wife sits facing Lani. PONO’S NIECE brings the pair food.
LANI
(to Pono’s Niece)
Thank you, cousin.
LANI
(to Second Wife)
You may have heard all this, but I want to make sure.
Second Wife nods.
LANI
Pono and I have not been able to have children. The sire of my two sons is his brother, Kanaloa. Because Pono’s father decreed that the throne follow my father’s bloodline, my oldest son will be king some day, even though Pono has a higher birth rank than Kanaloa.
Second Wife nods.
LANI
Although he won’t admit it, I think Pono would still like to have children of his own. That’s where you come in.
SECOND WIFE
I understand. I will give him children and they will serve the rightful king.
LANI
Good. Now that we have that settled, let’s get some sleep.
Both women rise and walk to the sleeping space. They lie with there feet toward the back wall, with their heads inward. Second Wife smiles to herself.
_EXT. KONA COAST – DAY_ #32#
A CROWD is milling around a ceremonial white tent.
Pono and his SECOND WIFE enter the tent where Pono is supposed to impregnate her.
Outside the tent, Pono’s Mother prays for the union. She glances at Lani.
It is clear Lani does not like the idea.
Pono and Second Wife enter the tent.
EXT. HAWAII KONA COASTAL VILLAGE – LATER #33#
Pono decides to move Kona villagers away from the coast and into the upland field systems.
Pono’s Second Wife, who lives there, explains to VILLAGERS why it is necessary.
PONO
(to Second Wife)
All the coastal villagers must move up into the field system for their safety.
SECOND WIFE
(to Villagers)
The Maui army is coming. All of you must live in the field system for a while.
Villagers begin to pack their belongings for the journey upland.
EXT. HAWAII KONA COAST – DAY #34#
Maui King’s Son and RUNNER visit the Hawaii Kona coast.
MAUI KING’S SON
Take the King’s trail until you reach Kealakakua Bay and then return. Be on the lookout for warriors.
Runner nods and takes off running to the south and Maui King’s Son takes off walking to the north.
EXT. HAWAII KONA COAST – LATER #35#
Runner comes upon the same three Sisters bathing in the ocean. He sees them and they do not see him. He is enthralled.
Sister No. 2 runs naked up the beach to get a drink of water. She spots Runner and beckons to him.
Amidst CAT CALLS from the other Sisters, Sister No. 2 takes Runner’s hand and they disappear into the bushes.
EXT. HAWAII KONA COAST – EVENING #36#
Maui King’s Son and Runner met back at their canoe.
MAUI KING’S SON
I did not see anyone along the coast.
RUNNER
(looking down)
Neither did I. The villages I came across are burned and empty.
MAUI KING’S SON
We had heard the rebellion was a bloody one, but we had no idea it was this bad. Let’s get back.
They launch their canoe and paddle toward Maui.
_EXT. MAUI KING’S COURT – DAY_ #37#
Maui King’s Son reports back to Maui King who is in the presence of his ADVISORS.
MAUI KING’S SON
Father, the Kona and Kohala coasts are deserted.
MAUI KING
So, the rumors are true. Maybe this is the opportunity we have been waiting for.
MAUI KING’S SON
There will be no resistance when we land.
MAUI KING
We will need fewer warriors to prevail than I originally thought.
MAUI KING
(to his advisors)
What say you?
All of his advisors save one, look down. One, MAUI KING’S ADVISOR, steps forward.
MAUI KING’S ADVISOR
Your majesty, this is not the time to invade. Please wait for a more auspicious time.
MAUI KING
How dare you contradict me? I will have you burned alive when we return victorious.
Maui King’s Advisor is respectful but does not appear to be worried about his future.
EXT. KEALAKAKUA BAY – DAY #38#
Pono convenes a war counsel.
LOLI
The invasion is on, probably next week.
PONO
(to Kea)
Will our troops be ready?
KEA
We are training hard. Yes, we will be ready.
PONO
Get going and keep at it. Loli and Hauna, I have some things I want you to arrange.
Kea leaves the meeting.
EXT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – DAY #39#
Lani and the Second Wife practice throwing stones with a sling.
LANI
No! That is not the way I showed you. This is hopeless.
SECOND WIFE
You are a terrible teacher.
LANI
(under her breath)
Pretty, but dumb.
Second wife comes out swinging and nails Lani, who staggers to the ground.
EXT. TRAIL TO HOKU’ULA -DAY #40#
Loli make defense arrangements with LEADER of a village of OUTCASTS (kauwa). OUTCASTS all have a cross (+) or chevron (^)tattooed on their foreheads.
LEADER
You want us to do what?
LOLI
Your people are good at it.
LEADER
Why will they come through our village?
LOLI
You let me worry about that.
LEADER
What will we get in return?
LOLI
All the food you can carry.
Leader nods.
EXT. KAU – DAY #41#
HAWAII WARRIORS are practicing Hawaiian fighting (lua) moves at a lua school (pa lua) which is laid out in the traditional manner.
A central thatched building (hale kumu ka ‘aha) is surrounded by a low stone wall (pa) that has only one entrance that is guarded.
Kea is the lua master (‘olohe lua) of this lua school and stands next to the school’s altar (kuahu). The altar is decorated with the seven plants traditionally used.
All the hair has been removed from the warriors’ bodies and their bodies are covered with the candlenut (kukui) oil to make them difficult for an adversary to grip.
EXT. LAE LAE – DAY #42#
Hauna makes defense arrangements with the goddess, WAO (pronounced Wow) who lives on the hill called Lae Lae. The goddess (20) is beautiful and has long black hair that hangs to the ground. She is accompanied by human retainers that look a little like rocks.
WAO
Hauna, good to see you!
HAUNA
You are as beautiful as ever.
WAO
What brings you to my forest?
HAUNA
Pono needs your help in defending his kingdom.
WAO
How can I help?
Hauna speaks with Wao pointing to the trail coming up from the coast, but their conversation is inaudible.
_EXT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – DAY_ #43#
Pono rallies his TROOPS with a great speech (again, like in the previous film, but better).
PONO
My family, you know what’s at stake here. If Maui prevails, your children will be hungry again. Your homes will be burned and your families will be taken as slaves. But we can once again beat the odds. Follow me into battle and you will remember this time with pride when you are old and gray.
The Troops cheer.
This is the midpoint of Act II, when everything appears to be going Pono’s way.
EXT. WAIMEA UPLANDS – MORNING #44#
Kanaloa is awaken by villagers who point to the channel between Maui and Hawaii.
VILLAGER
My chief, the channel is black with canoes.
KANALOA
The invasion is upon us.
Kanaloa slowly smiles.
_EXT. KAWAIHAE BEACH – DAY_ #45#
As the Maui canoes land, Hauna and Loli prostrate themselves before Maui King who is surrounded by his WARRIORS.
HAUNA
We have heard rumors of your coming. Thank the gods they were true.
LOLI
Your wisdom is much needed here. Our king and queen are too young.
MAUI KING
It is good to see that you people appreciate what we are doing. Where is a good location for the battle?
HAUNA
If you take a position on the top of the hill above Waimea called Hoku’ula, you will be victorious. There are plenty of stones for your slings.
MAUI KING
We will see. If you are lying, I will have every bone in your body broken.
Hauna and Loli bow and Maui King signals his Warriors to move upslope.
EXT. WAIMEA UPLANDS – DAY #46#
Kanaloa organizes a small band of villagers to hurry down to the coast under a flag of truce.
KANALOA
You. I need an escort down to the coast to meet with the Maui King.
VILLAGER TWO
Are you sure that is a good idea?
KANALOA
Yes, I am. And no need to tell Pono’s Mother about this.
They leave for the coast.
EXT. HILL ON THE WAY TO THE COAST – DAY #47#
Kanaloa approaches Maui King who is protected by his ROYAL GUARDS.
KANALOA
Welcome, my king.
MAUI KING
(gesturing to his Royal Guards)
There has been a change of plans.
Royal Guards grab Kanaloa.
MAUI KING
(to Kanaloa)
You have seen too much.
MAUI KING
(to his Royal Guards)
Take care of that.
KANALOA
What do you mean?
Kanaloa’s eyes are burned out.
EXT. HILL ON THE WAY TO THE COAST – LATER #48#
A blinded Kanaloa is held down by Royal Guards, his head is bashed in, and his body is washed.
EXT. KOHALA TEMPLE – DAY #49#
Kanaloa’s body is then sacrificed on a temple alter to the war god of Maui King.
EXT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – DAY #50#
Lani hears of her first husband’s death. She is devastated. She is consoled by Pono and Second Wife.
KEA
We hear he charged down to the coast in a delaying action.
SECOND WIFE
(to Lani)
I’m so sorry. He must have been a very brave man.
PONO
(frowning)
This was not part of our plan.
They help Lani to her bed.
EXT. TRAIL TO HOKU’ULA – LATER #51#
Maui King and Maui King’s Son find themselves and his VANGUARD in a village. Outcasts, that are considered unclean, step out of the shadows. The Army stops in its tracks.
MAUI KING
Those are outcasts. We are defiled. How did this happen?
MAUI KING’S SON
I’m sorry, father. I was just following the trail.
MAUI GENERAL
Get the Priest up here. We need him to perform a cleansing ceremony.
EXT. TRAIL TO HOKU’ULA -LATER #52#
A cleansing ceremony is performed by PRIEST.
EXT. TRAIL TO HOKU’ULA – LATER #53#
As the Maui Warriors continue their march up the trail, boulders begin rolling down the hill called Lae Lae, crushing some of them.
When the boulders come to rest, they turn into Wao’s servants and run back up the hill under the gaze of Wao.
WAO
Great job, my people!
EXT. WOMAN’S TEMPLE – DAY #54#
Maui forces come upon a temple (called Haleino) run by Pono’s Mother which is staffed by virgins. Raping and pillaging ensues. When Pono’s Mother, again in the white robe, tries to intercede, she is struck down.
It is raining of course, blood red rain.
EXT. UPLAND PLAIN – DAY #55#
Pono and Kea are meeting with HAWAII CHIEFS preparing for battle when a HAWAII RUNNER approaches and bows deeply.
HAWAII RUNNER
Sire, I have bad news. Your mother
was not warned of the approach of
the Maui army. Her temple was
overrun.
Pono looks at Kea, whose eyes are downcast.
PONO
(to Hawaii Runner)
How did it happen?
HAWAII RUNNER
She was not told of the approach of the Maui army.
PONO
What’s happened to my mother?
HAWAII RUNNER
She is wounded. Her students were
killed or worse and her temple is
being used as a Maui headquarters.
Hawaii Runner kneels, hoping the Pono will not kill the messenger.
PONO
(to Kea)
We’ve got to get her out of there!
KEA
We’d better hurry. The pigs will
start foraging at sunset.
Pono, Kea, and a small contingent of warriors hurriedly head out for the temple.
EXT. WOMEN’S TEMPLE – NIGHT #56#
The scene is bathed in dim moonlight. Thin clouds move by, pushed by the wind.
MOANS and SCREAMS are heard as the rescue party approaches.
KEA
The pigs are feeding on the dead
and wounded.
PONO
We’ve got to get closer.
Suddenly, a large group of Maui Warriors appears and begins to bed down for the night.
A blood curdling SCREAM is heard as the rescue party is prevented from moving forward.
PONO
That’s my mother!
After a minute, the screaming stops.
KEA
I’m sorry, Pono. We tried.
PONO
Tomorrow, I will have my revenge.
This is the Second Act turning point.
EXT. HOKU’ULA – DAY #57#
Trudging up the mountainside, Maui forces spot a muscular man who is leaping hundreds of yards from outcropping to outcropping. He cannot be a mere mortal.
He lands close to some of them and introduces himself.
OLD MAN
Aloha. I am Old Man. This is my mountain. What are you doing here?
WARRIOR
We are moving into position before the battle starts.
OLD MAN
Who is fighting?
WARRIOR
Maui is invading Hawaii.
OLD MAN
Oh. That again. Well, try not to make a mess.
The Old Man leaps.
_EXT. HOKU’ULA – EVENING_ #58#
Maui forces are in position on the top of Hoku’ula.
It is a spectacular sight.
The red and gold feather capes of the nobles echo the red and gold blossoms of the ohia trees that line the gulches cut in the mountainside.
Many of the common soldiers shiver in the cold, misty wind for which the area is now famous (rain which raises goosebumps, ki pu’u pu’u).
EXT. HOKU’ULA – LATER #59#
Two warriors are looking for sling stones to add to the limited arsenals they brought from Maui.
MAUI WARRIOR #1
Have you found any good sling stones?
MAUI WARRIOR #2
The rock up here is too soft. I have a bad feeling about this place.
EXT. WAIMEA PLAIN – NIGHT #60#
Torches held by Pono’s warriors are seen by Maui forces spreading out on the plain below Hoku’ula.
_EXT. HOKU’ULA – MORNING_ #61#
When the sun rises, the Maui King sees Pono’s forces arrayed before them for miles. The Maui forces are outnumbered. The Maui King turns to his son.
MAUI KING
How could this happen? You said the villages were empty?
Son casts down his eyes.
EXT. WAIMEA PLAIN – DAY #62#
In accordance with custom, Pono and Kea approach Maui King and Maui General under a flag of truce (a ti leaf on a pole) to negotiate the place and time of battle.
PONO
I suggest we fight here and now.
MAUI KING
Let’s have our generals fight first.
Pono looks at Kea, who nods.
PONO
It is agreed.
The parties return to their ranks.
_EXT. WAIMEA PLAIN – LATER_ #63#
Kea and the Maui General, their bodies shaved and oiled, approach one another and fight. Kea is wounded. Just before the Maui General kills him, Kea recovers and kills the Maui General.
_EXT. WAIMEA PLAIN – LATER_ #64#
Both of the armies are arrayed in standard Hawaiian battle formations.
Out front are skirmishers (huna lewa) carrying javelins (ihe). They are backed by a larger body (huna paa).
Behind these come groups of perhaps a thousand veteran warriors each (waa kaua).
Last come the mass of the rank-and-file soldiery (poe kaua).
In their midst stand Pono, Lani, and Second Wife in feathered capes surrounded by their friends (including Hauna and Loli) and images of their gods. They are encircled by a royal bodyguard (papa-kaua) armed with pololu spears.
The armies charge toward one another yelling at the tops of their lungs.
EXT. HOKU’ULA – LATER #65#
The armies collide and merge into one another.
With his cape slung over his left arm, Pono slices and dices with a war club.
Lani and Second Wife fight together and kick some serious butt. Lani throws a stone with her sling that stun a Maui warrior and Second Wife bashes his brains in with a war club.
Kea sequentially breaks the backs of six MAUI CHIEFS using a famous lua move.
PONO
(to Kea)
You had me worried.
KEA
You’re not the only one who can be tricky. I haven’t had so much fun since the rebellion.
EXT. HOKU’ULA – LATER #66#
Pono sees that Maui King is unguarded and he approaches him holding a war club.
PONO
You killed my mother and you are going to die.
MAUI KING
We’ll see about that.
Maui King knocks the war club from Pono’s hand.
MAUI KING
I hear you are not good at boxing. Let’s find out.
Maui King slugs Pono and knocks him down.
Pono scrambles to his feet and slugs Maui King who changes his mind and picks up a war club. Maui King swings the war club at Pono but misses.
Kea throws a war club to Pono who kills Maui King with it.
PONO
(to Kea)
Thanks, bruddah.
EXT. HOKU’ULA – LATER #67#
Seeing their King fall, the Maui forces are routed and run for the coast.
A misty rain is falling as blood from thousands of dead warriors washes into Waikaloa stream.
_EXT. KAWAIHAE BEACH – LATER_ #68#
Their canoes having been disassembled, the rest of the Maui forces are trapped on the beach and slaughtered in the surf. Blood flows into the water.
EXT. KAWAIHAE BAY – LATER #69#
Three Tiger Sharks feast on the bodies of dead Maui warriors in the surf.
EXT. HOKU’ULA – DAY #70#
The entrails of a wounded Maui Chief captured in battle are removed and every major bone in his arms, legs, pelvis, and face is methodically broken while he is still alive and screaming.
Finally, his back is broken so that his body can be bundled up and carried off the field to be sacrificed at a temple.
EXT. KAWAIHAE BEACH – LATER #71#
Pono’s Niece helps Maui King’s Son to escape and return to Maui by riding her canoe on to the beach and offering it to Maui King’s Son.
PONO’S NIECE
Here, take my canoe.
They embrace.
MAUI KING’S SON
Thank you.
They rub noses and Maui King’s Son paddles off in the direction of Maui.
EXT. TRAIL TO WINDWARD VALLEY – NIGHT #72#
Flies swarm on the bodies of the MAUI DEAD in the moonlight.
The ghostly images of the Maui Dead are seen rising from their bodies marching single file to the leaping off place to the underworld in Waipio Valley.
_EXT. KOHALA TEMPLE – DAY_ #73#
Pono sacrifices Maui King’s body to his war god.
PONO
Thank you, my people.
His Warriors cheer.
EXT. HAWAII KING’S COMPOUND – DAY #74#
Pono’s, Second Wife and SECOND WIFE’S CHILD, along with Lani and LANI’S CHILDREN, play with their royal parents, as a family.
FADE OUT