Of the route to Kilauea he was quite ignorant, but he was led. There flitted before him a shadow, a wraith, a shape and he followed it. At times he thought he could recognize the form of Lohiau and, at night or in the deep shadows of the forest, he seemed to be looking into the face of his friend.
When night came he lay down in a sheltered place and slept. In the early morning, while darkness yet brooded over the land, he was roused by the appearance of a light. His first thought was that day had stolen upon him: but no, it was the kino wailua of his friend that had come to awaken him and lead him on the last stage of his journey.
[1] Ko’olau, a term applied generally to the windward side of an island, which was, of course, the stormy side. The expression au Ko’olau, or Ko’olau weather, is one of great significance. [↑]
[2] E ki’i mai oe ia’u; eia au la i ke au a ka hewahewa. [↑]
CHAPTER XXXVI
PAOA SEEKS OUT THE BODY OF HIS DEAD FRIEND LOHIAU
Under the lead of his spiritual guide, Paoa arrived that day at Kilauea and, standing at the brink of the great caldera, he saw the figure of Lohiau beckoning to him as it stood on a heap of volcanic debris. The wraith dissolved into nothingness as he approached the spot; but there lay a figure in stone having the semblance of a man. It was more an act of divination than the exercise of ordinary judgment that told him this was the body of Lohiau. “I thought you had summoned me to take home your living body, my friend!” was his exclamation. His voice was broken with emotion as he poured out his lament:
Mau a’alina oe mauka o Ka-la-ke-ahi;