The princess worries

They were arriving already, young Tuber chiefs of fine lineage seeking to contend for the hand (and other lovely body parts) of Princess Tuberosa La'a. The first arrivals came from the Big Island and the Tubes that ran in every direction from it. Within days chiefs from Maui followed.

The kahus who served King Kavawai and Queen Tuberosa 'Ekahi began the testing, asking each contestant to recite his genealogy and his family gods, to play the pahu drum, to dance hula, and especially observing their manner when introduced to the bones of Kamehameha the Great.

The princess and her parents also observed the young men as the kahus put them through their religious paces. Afterward, the princess, her parents and the kahus voted to determine who would make it on to the next phase, physical testing.

You could say it was like a big reality TV show, except that this was real, and all about a man's relationship with the gods. Not to mention absolutely crucial. There are times in the history of a people when a single decision is made that will affect the lives of future generations, and this was one of those times for the Tubers. Princess Tuberosa La'a was descended through her mother from a sacred lineage straight from the gods, and also from Kamehameha the Great -- she was the last of the Kamehamehas. Not just any old high chief would do.

And as the testing continued, more and more young men arrived at the Royal Rotunda beneath the Kona Coast.

"I'm pleased to see that we have so many fine young men in The Tube," the princess confided to her mother after the third day of testing as they strolled through the royal tuberose plantation, the distant sound of a plaintive nose flute echoing through The Tube. "But ... "

"But? ... "

"I'm still looking ... "

"So are we, my dear. And many more young men are coming, so the royal runners tell us. Don't worry, somewhere out there in The Tube is a fine chief you are destined to marry."

"But what if there's not?"

The queen touched her daughter's cheek, smiled, remembered what it was like to be young and impatient, remembered how unsure she felt before Kavawai passed all of his tests so many years ago and came into her life.

"Oh, there's someone for you, bebbe. He hasn't arrived yet, but he's begun his journey. When you see him, you'll know."

"Oh, I hope so."

"Hope is the gift of the gods, they entrust us to keep it, for hope is life."

The princess knelt, picked a large tuberose bud, placed it behind her left ear. "I know he's coming," she said hopefully. "I just know he is."