In early 1939, Honolulu police officer Harry Shupak informed treasure hunter Julius Scammon Rodman (1912-2001) that in 1934, while pig hunting in Waimea Valley, Kauai, he’d discovered a thatched grass house perched high upon a cliff in Koaia Gulch that contained a mummified corpse.
Treasure hunter Rodman then determined to follow up on Shupak’s discovery for what profit it might bring, and to also report his findings to archaeologist John Stokes of Bishop Museum.
So, in July 1939, Rodman hiked to the Waimea Valley Ditch Powerhouse, where he told its Hawaiian foreman, Keoni (surname unknown), of his plans.
Keoni assured Rodman that no curse would befall him for disturbing a sacred burial, since he would be going there only for the purpose of gaining knowledge of ancient customs and would show respect for the remains of the dead.
Rodman, Keoni and Mariano (first name unknown), Keoni’s Filipino assistant, then hiked to Koaia Gulch and its cliffside thatched grass house.
Before entering, they noticed a skeleton lying on the ground by the house.
Rodman wrote: “At the skeleton’s neck was a small gold rosary with black beads. The shroud had been a man’s blue serge suit of mid-19th century cut, around which were wound sheets of white, worm-eaten, kapa cloth.”
After examining the interior of the grass house, Rodman wrote: “The mummified head of a woman’s corpse rested upon a pillow of blue cloth stuffed with pulu. Around the neck there had been the palaoa, or ivory hook of royalty. The high quality of her gowns and kapa cloth, and especially evidence of the royal palaoa hook, attested to the high rank of the deceased.”
Rodman made sketches, took notes, and before leaving, placed a sign inside the grass house.
It read: “’KAPU! STOP! DANGER! In these caverns of Koaia are the tombs of a high chief and his beloved wahine. This spot is held sacred by the kanaka of Hawaii Nei. A kahuna ana ana curse could fall upon all who come as robbers. Look upon the dead, but touch nothing! Breathe a prayer and depart before the gods are huhu! Lupalu Rodemana, Tulai 16, 1939.”
