That is my dream, and here am I.
The audience, moved by Lohiau’s ardor, went into riotous applause. Hiiaka could not but admire the pathetic artistry of Lohiau, yet she remained the mistress of her emotions. Pele-ula, in contrast, became visibly more excited at Lohiau’s close approach. Turning to the younger woman, she said, “do you respond to this man’s appeals?”
“What is it you mean?” quietly asked Hiiaka.
“Can it be that you are not stirred by his protestations? Put your hand on my bosom,” said Pele-ula, “and feel the throbbing of my heart.”
Hiiaka convinced herself of the truth of the assertion and, in turn, said, “Do you also lay your hand here and judge of my temper.”
“You are as cool as a ti leaf,” exclaimed Pele-ula, “while I am as hot as a bundle of luau.”
This interchange of attentions between the two women did not escape Lohiau. It inflamed him to another passage of song:
Moe e no Wai-alua ke Koolau,
Ka hikina mai a Ka-lawa-kua;
Lele aoa i ka Mikioi;