Lonoikamakahiki was a powerful chief of royal lineage but had a bad temper and was so jealous of his wife that he beat her to death during a game of kōnane (Hawaiian checkers). Crazy with grief, he traveled to Kauaʻi, where he wandered in the wilderness as his followers and attendants deserted him one by one.

Only one man, the Kauaʻi commoner Kapaihiahilina, stayed and cared for him despite cold, chill, hunger, poverty, and lack of clothing. When the chief asked him why, Kapaihiahilina responded “aloha ia oe,” “because I love you.”

When Lonoikmakahiki regained his sanity, he returned to Hawaiʻi Island with his aikāne (intimate same-sex friend) Kapaihiahilina, whom he appointed as his kahuna nui (second in command, or premiere), a position of high public trust.  Jealous of the commoner’s elevated position and power, a group of Lonoikamakahikiʻs former aikāne manufactured false rumors about him, causing Lonoikamakahiki to refuse to see Kapaihiahilina, who fled the court in great sadness. Realizing his mistake, Lonoikamakahiki chased after Kapaihiahilina and found him at Anaehoʻomalu on the leeward side of Hawaiʻi. 

There Kapaihiahilina chanted a beautiful oli recalling his devotion to the chief and their life of poverty and hardship in the wilderness of Kauaʻi where they wandered about hungry.  Struck with emotion, the two men pledged to never again listen to harsh statements made to one against the other, and Lonoikamakahiki had erected an ahu (stone cairn) at the site of their reunion. (Later the rumor mongers responsible for their rift were allowed the opportunity to die honorably in battle.)

This cairn, known as Ke Ahu a Lono, remains today as part of the Kingʻs Trail, an ancient foot path that encircles Hawaiʻi Island.  It is located on the grounds of the Waikōloa Beach Resort and is maintained by Waikōloa Foundation.