I. SONG OF CREATION (HEKUMULIPO)
The "account of the creation of the world according to Hawaiian tradition" is said to celebrate Lonoikamakahiki, also called Kaiimamao, who was the father of Kalaniopuu, king of Hawaii at the time of Cook's visit. The song was "composed by Keaulumoku in 1700" and handed down by the chanters of the royal line since that day. It was translated by "Liliuokalani of Hawaii" in 1895-1897, and published in Boston, 1897.
From the Sea-bottom (?) (the male) and Darkness (the female) are born the coral insect, the starfish, sea urchin, and the shellfish. Next seaweed and grasses are born. Meanwhile land has arisen, and in the next era fishes of the sea and plants of the forest appear. Next are born the generations of insects and birds; after these the reptiles—all the "rolling, clinging" creatures. In the fifth era is born a creature half pig, half man; the races of men also appear (?). In the sixth come the rats; in the seventh, dogs and bats; in the eighth is born the woman Lailai (calmness), the man Kii, and the gods Kane and "the great octopus" Kanaloa. Lailai flies to heaven, rests upon "the boughs of the aoa tree in Nuumealani," and bears the earth. She weds Kii and begets a generation of gods and demigods.
In the course of these appear Wakea and his three wives, Haumea, Papa, and Hoohokukalani. Wakea, becoming unfaithful to Papa, changes the feast days and establishes the taboo. Later the stars are hung in the heavens. Wakea seeks in the sea for "seeds from Hina," with which to strew the heavens. Hina floats up from the bottom of the sea and bears sea creatures and volcanic rocks. Haumea, a stranger of high rank from Kuaihelani at Paliuli, marries her own sons and grandsons. To her line belong Waolena and his wife Mafuie, whose grandchild, Maui, is born in the shape of a fowl. The brothers of his mother, Hina, are angry and fight Maui, but are thrown. They send him to fetch a branch from the sacred awa bush; this, too, he achieves. He desires to learn the art of fishing, and his mother gives him a hook and line with which he catches "the royal fish Pimoe." He "scratches the eight eyes" of the bat who abducts Hina. He nooses the sun and so wins summer. He conquers (?) Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. From him descends "the only high chief of the island."