Irritated at what seemed to be the inefficiency or neglect of his kaulas and chiefs, Kukona was about to attach a death-penalty to further failure when Waahia suddenly entered the royal enclosure and approached the palace. Her appearance was most welcome to the attending chiefs, and she was ushered at once into the presence of the king. So delighted was Kukona at the unexpected visit that he rose unconsciously to his feet and greeted the prophetess. This breach of courtly form amazed the attendants of the king, and suggested to them that the strange visitor must be of supreme rank; but before any explanation could be gathered they were ordered to retire, even to the paakahili, and Kukona was left alone with the kaula.
The king motioned his visitor to a lounge of kapa, for she seemed to be old and feeble, and he had a favor to ask. Seating herself, as requested, the king approached, and, in a voice that could not well be overheard, said:
“Are you Waahia, the prophetess of Hawaii?”
“I am Waahia,” answered the kaula.
“You have chanted of the long knife of the stranger, of the bright knife of Lono, of the lost knife of Wailuku,” resumed Kukona. “Our diviners can give me no information concerning it.”
Waahia smiled significantly, but made no reply, and the king continued:
“They say you have tabued the secret, and others, therefore, cannot share it. Is it so?”
“Perhaps,” was the brief reply.
“Then you can find the sacred knife?” eagerly suggested Kukona.
“I can find it,” was the kaula’s emphatic answer.