“Where’s your husband?” Wahine-oma’o asked.
“Asleep in the house.”
“Go and call him; tell him to take his canoe and go over to Niihau and bring Paoa,” said Wahine-oma’o. “Lohiau is alive and well. Look, there he comes on the surf-board.”
In a tumult of joy the woman ran to the house and shouted the tidings to her husband. Nakoa-ola, girding his malo about him as he came out of the door, made all speed for the halau; shoved the canoe down the slope of the beach; looked to the lashings of the outrigger; saw that the paddles, bailer and what not were in place; stepped the mast; arranged the sail and the sheet; then, with a final push, he leaped in astern and set his course for Niihau.
The story of Lohiau’s miraculous return to life spread like wild fire until the whole population of the little island of Niihau was buzzing with the wonder. Paoa, in his haste and excitement, neglected the ordinary civilities and failed to invite his visitor to “come in and eat.” They took canoe on the instant and were the first to arrive at Haena.
At sight of Lohiau, whom they found quiet and thoughtful, surrounded by a houseful of people, in conversation with his sister and two women who were strangers, they set up a wailing cry of joy that was chorused by the whole company.
The great raft of attendants, men and women, round-eyed with wonder, reached Haena in successive arrivals later in the day. First came those who eagerly credited the report of Lohiau’s resurrection; scattering along after them, strangers and those who were in any degree skeptical of this great mystery. Each hour saw a bunch of new arrivals, not from Niihau alone but from all parts of Kauai.
When Kahua-nui and her husband had first wept over Lohiau, embracing and kissing him, uttering their welcome in joyous cries of wailing, they turned to the two women, the strangers, for Lohiau bade them extend their welcome to “these two women who have brought me to life again.”
“Where are they from?” Kahua-nui asked.
“I know not; I only know they have given me life.”