Moana and Hunapo (No 76)

The continuing story of Ahu and Ahuahu her husband in a Maori village in Aotearoa before European settlement of New Zealand. (Missed an episode? Click on Ahu in the labels bar for previous posts.)

Hunapo, one of the other fishermen at Black Sands noticed that Ahuahu always took some fish for Moana when he returned home so he said, “Your family is large Ahuahu, let me take Moana some of my fish in future.”

“We can both do it Hunapo. She is with child now so she may be pleased to receive a little extra.”

Hunapo was very careful with Moana and was never seen to enter her whare. He would talk to her and play with Hinemoana outside after he had given them some fish but never stayed long. No one could ever say Moana looked at him directly as she was very discreet too. It was said they used to meet on the beach in the evening to talk but as the new baby was now a noticeable bump in Moana’s tummy no one thought much about it as he spent most of his time finding shells for Hinemoana, while Moana sat on the beach talking with other villagers.

There had been gossip regarding Paikea’s disappearance but his mother explained that Aio her daughter wanted him to help them at Agate Hills and Moana no longer appeared sad.

One day Hinemoana cut her foot on a shell at the beach so Hunapo who had just grounded his canoe after fishing at sea came over to Moana, and carried Hinemoana back to Moana's home where they managed to clean the cut and stop her crying. Hinemoana sat in Hunapo’s lap chewing sadly on a bit of oca root and then fell asleep in his arms.

“Now you are here, would you like to eat with me, Hunapo?” Moana said as she looked at him cradling Hinemoana in his arms; "She is asleep now so we will not disturb her and that way you do not have to prepare your own meal tonight.”

“I shouldn’t, Moana. People will talk.”

“They won’t, not with me almost ready to have a baby. Everyone saw you bring Hinemoana back here crying.”

Hunapo nodded his assent and his heart filled with love for her. But he didn’t know what to say to her so he bent over Hinemoana and brushed his lips on her forehead rubbed her tiny nose with his.

Moana saw him do that. “Thank you Hunapo, she has missed her father and she likes you.” She then went back to preparing the meal and fussed about outside with the fish on the fire while he continued to cradle the little girl.

When Moana came back in, she came over to him and picked Hinemoana up and placed on her sleeping mat on the floor. Then went to get their food and gave him his. Trying desperately to avoid eye contact with him she asked him “Why have you never married, Hunapo?”

Hunapo could not answer as he was eating. When he had emptied his mouth he said, “Please do not ask that question, Moana.”

“You are not tane moe tane are you?”

Hunapo laughed so much that he nearly choked.

“Moana,” he finally got out, “I was in a boat and heard you sing to the fish at sea all those years ago. I promised myself that I must find someone like you to marry, but sadly there was only one of you and Paikea claimed you.” He paused and then went on. “I should not have come in here tonight. Because you will you know now that I do not want Paikea to return.”

Moana bowed her head in embarrassment, but whispered to him quietly, “Neither do I.”

Hunapo reached over and gently touched Moana on the face. He then did a very bold thing and let his hand touch her on her swollen belly gently patting her and then said “If he does not return home, I will look after you and the children.”

“I knew you would, Hunapo, I could read it in your eyes.”

“What should we do?”

“I will talk to Ahuahu and Ahu. It is over six moons since Paikea has gone and there has been no word. I will ask Ahuahu’s advice but tell him you will protect us.”

Hunapo shook his head, “No, I will talk to Ahuahu. He must think that I approached you first.”

“But you did, Hunapo, right at the start and Ahuahu knows that.”

They just sat looking at each until Hunapo said to her, “I never thought that you would look at me Moana.”

“Hunapo, you have made my life worth living again. I will not cry myself to sleep tonight but sing with joy.”

Hunapo was by this time caressing Moana on her arms and on her face. He then leaned over and held his face against hers and nibbled at her with his lips. “I will go now while it is still light.”

Hunapo made to get up but thought better of it and laid his head between her breasts, sighed with contentment as he hugged her but then got up and left the whare.

As he walked through the village to go back home, he felt as if he was as tall as a tree; he had never felt so happy in all his life.

 

Tane moe tane – homosexual, but literally, man with man.

Whare - dwelling