Pele and Hiiaka: A Myth From Hawaii

by Nathaniel Bright Emerson

A fiery tree to heaven upspringing;

Its deadly shade invades my stony couch.

Is there fault, blame, strife, or reproach;

Let the strife be between you two.

To this proposal of her chivalric companion, who would throw upon the woman the whole burden of fault, punishment, and strife, Hiiaka made answer in this address to Pele:

Puka mai ka Wahine mai loko mai o ka Lua,

Mai loko mai o Muliwai o ka Lena,[2]

Mai ka moku[3] po’o a Kane.

E noho ana o Kane-lau-apua[4] i ke one lau a Kane;

Ninau mai uka, “Nowai he wa’a?”[5]