Author's note: This story was co-written by Book 'em Again and Tanith2011 and we are so excited to share it with you. Please know that the Hawaiian word honu refers to the green sea turtle while 'ea refers to the hawksbill sea turtle. In 1982 both species were placed on the endangered species list.

The story of Kauila belongs to Hawaiian people.

Kauila's Tears

We dedicate this story to our friend honu59.
This one is for you and for the turtles you love.

Prologue: A Mother's Tale

A young boy stood on the beach as small waves lapped around his ankles trying to work up the courage to brave the water. He loved the sea and watching the waves crash into the shore but he was only a little boy and the waves seemed so big from where he was standing.

Not quite sure if he was ready to take that big step, the boy dug a small hole in the sand with his foot and smiled as he watched it fill up with water. He just decided that he was going to play in the sand when his four kaikuahine swam over to him and Luana called out, "Kono, come join us!"

"Don't tell me ya are afraid of gettin' wet," Pua teased.

"No!" Kono shot back.

"Den get in da water," Niele said.

Kono hated being the youngest and the only boy. Why couldn't they leave him alone? He would get in the water when he was ready. Maybe when the waves got a little smaller.

Kalea seemed to sense Kono's fear and reached over and took his hand. As the oldest she decided it was her job to help her kaikunane. "I'll be right here. Ya like ta swim."

Kalea was right, Kono did like to swim. He swam all the time in the small pond by their house, but the ocean was so big and scary.

As Kalea stepped toward the ocean, Kono decided that if his kaikunane could brave the waves then so could he. Gripping Kalea's hand hard, Kono stepped in the water. The current tugged slightly at his feet but he was able to stand.

The sight of a wave coming toward him made Kono want to run back to the beach but, holding tighter to the hand of his kaikuahine, Kono stood still and let the water hit him. Realizing that he was okay, Kono smiled and let go of Kalea's hand.

Pua swam up and splashed water at her kaikunane and Kono quickly responded in kind. Soon there was a full water battle going on between the five siblings as they laughed and played in the ocean.

Kono had just decided that he really liked the ocean when the force of the next wave knocked him off his feet. Suddenly, he was surrounded by water, salt water stinging his eyes and throat. However, he wasn't underwater long as Kalea reached down and grabbed him under his armpits and pulled him to his feet.

Coughing and crying, Kono pushed himself away from Kalea and ran for the safety of the beach. As his feet hit the dry sand, he called out, "Mama! Mama!"

In an instant, Kono felt the safe and comforting arms of his makuahine as they wrapped around him and lifted him off the ground.

"Hush, Kono. You're safe."

Slowly, Kono began to calm down and his cries turned to hiccups as the soothing words of his makuahine brought comfort to the scared boy.

Wiping the tears from his face with the back of his hand, Kono decided that he was never swimming in the ocean again when his makuahine cried out, "Kono, nānā!"

Looking over where his makuahine was pointing, Kono's eyes grew wide as he watched a creature come out of the water and walk slowly up the beach towards him. "Honu!" he cried out in delight.

The honu ignored the actions of the humans, as it walked until it found a spot in the sand that it deemed perfect for sunning itself.

"Kono," his makuahine asked, "have I ever told you the story of Kauila?"

"No, Mama."

"One moonlight night, on da black sands of Punalu'u, a beautiful 'ea with a head dat was pure white came ashore. This 'ea was called Honu-po'o-kea and she dug a hole in da sand ta make a nest. Den she laid a single egg dat was dark and smooth like kauila wood. Honu-'ea, Honu-po'o-kea's mate, watched from the ocean.

"After da egg was covered, Honu-'ea joined Honu-po'o-kea on da beach and together dey dug in da sand ta create a spring. When dey finished, dey returned to da ocean.

"Da egg hatched into an 'ea called Kauila who lived in da spring her parents dug. When children came ta Punalu'u, Kauila would transform into a girl and play with dem. Kauila watched over da children and made sure dey were safe. Today, Kauila is da guardian of children.

"So, Kono, whenever ya see da honu, know dat Kauila is watching over ya."

"You promise, Mama?"

"I promise."

Reassured that he was safe, Kono gave his makuahine a hug and ran to rejoin his four kaikuahine swimming in the ocean. Knowing that Kauila was looking out for him and all children, Kono was able to spend the rest of the day splashing in the ocean without fear.

For Kono was a child under the protection of Kauila.