When telling the story of the island of Kapuhai Reef, one finds himself wedged between history and legend. The
history of the place often overcomes the legend, but there are those that will always remember the Legend of Kapuhai Reef. The story, twined with
realism and mysticism.
The Legend
English Admiral Johnson C. Wales, a powerful, adventurous fleet captain from Britain "discovered" the quiet isle of Kapuhai Reef. He and his tired,
displaced crew were immediately greeted by the friendly natives, the Mokukeiki. The Mokukeiki were a peaceful people, full of pride for their land and
rooted deep in their age-old customs and culture. Wales, his crew, and their families, begin to set down roots on the island, melding their beliefs
with those of the natives. "Religious sanctuary" was the given reason for the settler's existence on the island, but Admiral Wales had something else
in mind.
Sugar cane, to be exact. The profitable, natural growth that had been introduced by the original land dwellers ages before. A sugar mill was
the warning that the Mokukeiki missed, believing that the production of Sugarcane a shared profit. But the natives soon became subservient to the
British settlers. They worked in the sugar mill for almost no pay, swindled out of their land, which was the very land their worked. Their homes were
taken away as they were made to live on the plantation. Mokukeiki men were lost to liquor and violence and their women to sex and disease.
But they remained docile and hopeful, praying to ancient gods in fear of the settlers and the colossal "Britain" that the settlers spoke of. Their
home "beyond the sea". But a few tribal leaders had a hope that swallowed their fear. A desire to win the land back. Some of the leaders were strongly
against it and fled from the plan that meant sure death.
Those leaders, entrusting their faith in the gods of the island, devised a plan. To ensure the survival of their people and their land, a
sacrifice must be made. That sacrifice is still unknown. But it was one of blood. Human blood. A battle to regain their land ensued and
was won, driving the English Admiral and his settlers off of the land. The gods had favored the people and their sacrifice.
But the blood in the land, in the trees, in the water...it remains.
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