Chapter 20
The Proposal
Tanga soon became a familiar figure around the Double ‘P’ Ranch. The Kahiona boys were somewhat hesitant at first to go near the tattooed warrior and kept their distance. But the kind of hard work you do on a ranch breeds camaraderie, and in no time Tanga was telling us stories of growing up on the islands of New Zealand. We learned about the customs of the Māori people, their beliefs, and their way of life. Tanga was an excellent teacher, and Keala’s sons were eager students.
Although he came from another side of the world, there were a lot of similarities between the Hawaiian and the Māori cultures, and the Kahionas embraced him as one of the family. It was a happy time for everyone. Many a night was spent sewing fishing nets or weaving lauhala baskets. Certain things are seldom taught in schools and I reckon culture is one of them.
Tanga had become such a part of the family that it came as quite a surprise when one morning at breakfast he announced that he would be going home in a few days. The boys were sad at first, but as with most boys, their sad feelings were soon forgotten. Keala accepted it in his good natured Hawaiian way, like everything else life threw at him. Noelani and Pua were sorry to see him leave but immediately began preparing what he would need for his long trip across the ocean.
Tanga had gotten up from the table and stepped outside onto the lanai when suddenly we heard a woman’s scream followed by the wild scream of the tattooed warrior. Maile, the oldest Kahiona daughter, had been away at school on the mainland. She was home for vacation and was just walking up to the house as Tanga stepped out on the lanai. As she looked up and saw this wild warrior walk out of her home, she let out a frightful scream. Not one to be outdone, Tanga let out a scream of his own. Paniolo Pete was the first one out the door to see what was going on. Noelani nearly knocked Pete over as she rushed outside and took her oldest daughter in her arms.
“Oh, mother, I thought we were being attacked. I’m sorry, but he is so scary looking!”
Upon hearing this comment, Tanga turned to Pete and said, “Too small to bear warrior children.”
Maile stopped sobbing and stood staring at Pete and Tanga. She had the same spirited personality and sharp tongue as her mother and retorted back, “What do you mean ‘too small’ you unkempt, painted-up excuse for a man? What do you know of being a warrior? I am Maile Ke‘alakapuna Kahiona, and if I ever bore a son as ugly as you, I’d give him to Pele.”
“Small feet, too. Probably fell down a lot as a small girl,” commented Tanga.
Now Maile was really riled up. “Small feet? Small feet? I’ll show you small feet you overgrown ink blot!” She gave him a sharp kick in the stomach and squared off in a classic martial arts stance. “This wahine show you what warrior is. Come on, we fight!”
Tanga didn’t quite know what to make of this feisty young girl confronting him. He began to chuckle, and soon they were all laughing. That is, all except Maile.
Now I don’t speak the Hawaiian language except for a few words, but I know it doesn’t contain any swear words. So whatever it was that Maile yelled at them, it had an instant effect. As she addressed each one of the laughing people in Hawaiian, their expressions changed from glee to shock. Each one paled as she continued her tirade, and with her last words, all of the Kahionas fled the lanai. I know Tanga didn’t speak Hawaiian, but certain words were close enough to his own language that he raced off the lanai with the rest of them. I just stood there with Pete watching Maile. When she had calmed down a little, she looked over at us and gave us one of Pete’s famous winks.
“I guess everyone forgets that the women of our race have warrior blood too,” she smiled and walked in the house.
Although there wasn’t an obvious display of affection between Tanga and Maile, it soon became evident that there was something going on between them. When Tanga announced his ship was leaving for New Zealand the next day, Maile was the most upset. I guess I will never understand women. It looked to me like the two of them had done nothing but argue in the few days since they had met over a scream.
After Tanga made his announcement, he asked Pete and Keala if they could spare a few minutes outside. I wasn’t there, so I’m not sure what all was said, but I know when they came back in, all three of them had big smiles on their faces.
Tanga walked over to Maile and softly said something to her. As her sad eyes filled with tears, she looked up at him, put her arms around his neck, and kissed him right on the lips. We were all taken aback at the moment, but probably the most shocked of all was Tanga himself. He stood there with his stoic expression and only his eyes betrayed his total confusion. I reckon even a tribal chief warrior would have trouble understanding a woman like Maile.
“Oh no, you no can do this,” Noelani stated firmly. “I no raise my daughter to go live in one hut and waste all her school. She gonna be one big shot lawyer, no wife in New Zealand jungle.”
“But mother,” pleaded Maile, “we love each other. After we are married, we’ll spend some time in New Zealand with his family, then we’ll come back here so I can finish school.”
Now I’ve seen a few things in my life and I’m telling you, there’s nothing prettier than a woman who’s just been proposed to. They literally glow. Well Pete and I gave some excuse about tending to the cows and left the room. Soon enough, Keala and Tanga joined us.
While is seemed at first that Noelani was pretty upset, seeing her daughter so happy and knowing she wouldn’t be away for long, sort of knocked the fight out of her. Before long, all of the Kahiona women were caught up in planning for the wedding and the house buzzed with excitement.
Tanga postponed his departure, and the following week he and Maile were married near Rainbow Falls. It was a beautiful Hawaiian wedding, and friends and neighbors from far and near were in attendance. Maile was a beautiful bride, and Tanga looked equally magnificent. Of course his tattooed face caused a few comments, but one look from his stern eyes ended further discussion.
Paniolo Pete was the best man and after the ceremony was finished and the luau had begun, he motioned for Keala and me to join him off to the side for a few words.
“Gentlemen, there is no one I trust more than the two of you to run the Double ‘P’ should something happen to me. I’ve decided to go away for awhile, and I’d appreciate it if you keep things running smoothly while I’m gone.”
“Where you go, Pete?” asked Keala. “Can I come too?”
“No Keala. Your family is here. I am going to make sure our newlyweds have no problems getting to New Zealand and it’s a good excuse to visit my Uncle Nickel. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile, and now seems like a good time to go.”
As it turned out, Tanga and Maile returned within the year, but it would be almost three years before Paniolo Pete returned from his New Zealand adventures.