Pele and Hiiaka: A Myth From Hawaii

by Nathaniel Bright Emerson

Presently there was wrinkling of foreheads, an exchange of glances, prompting winks and nods, inclinations of the head, a turning of the eyes—though not a word was spoken—; for his friends thought thus to rouse Lohiau from his daze and to prompt him to the dutiful rites of hospitality and gallantry. Paoa, his intimate friend, sitting at Lohiau’s right hand, with a drum between his knees, even ventured to nudge him in the side.

The silence was broken by Pele:

Kalakú Hilo i ka ua nui;

Kapu ke nu, ke i,

I ka puá o ka leo,

I ka hamahamau—hamau kakou—

I ka hawanawana;

I ke kunou maka;

I ka awihi maka;

I ka alawa iki.