Of all the objects, animate or inanimate, natural or artificial, that were worshiped by the pae kii (idol-worshipers) the fish called Paoolekei was the only one that received no worship.
It was supposed that these kii (images or idols) received power from being entered into and possessed by the spirits of the dead.
After Light had been created or brought forth from the Po (the darkness or chaos) the gods looked upon the empty space (ka lewa) and there was no place to dwell in. They then created the heavens for themselves. Three heavens did they create or call into existence by their word of command. The uppermost heaven was called “Lani-Makua,” the one next below was called “he Lani o Ku,” and the lowest was called “he Lani o Lono.”
When the heavens were made the gods found that their feet ached because there was nothing to support them. So they created the earth for a foot-stool. Hence Kane was called Kane Lu Honua and the earth was called “Ka honua nui a Kane” and also “Keehina honua a Kane.”
After heaven and earth were made Kane created the big and small lights—sun, moon and stars,—and placed them in the empty space between heaven and earth.
Kane also created “i kini akua” (spirits) angels or their equivalents—to act as his servants and messengers. They were created from his spittle. They were supposed to have been created at the time that the stars were made.
The earth, sun, moon and stars were set floating in space (hoolewa ia i ka lewa) by Kane and kept in their places by the power (mana) of Kane.
The ocean (ka moana nui a Kane) surrounded the earth. It was made salt by Kane so that its waters should not stink, and to keep it thus in a healthy and uninfected state is the special occupation of Kane. In imitation of Kane the priests prepare waters of purification, prayer and sanctification (holy water) “wai huikala, wai lupalupa, and Ke Kai olena,” wherewith to drive away demons and diseases; it was called “Ka wai kapu a Kane.”
When the earth had been made and all things on it, man was created, as previously stated, and he was placed on the land called Kalana i Hauola; a beautiful, fertile land stocked with fruits and tame animals. It was also called Aina Hemolele a Kane, also Kapakapaua a Kane. (Its situation on earth seems to have been to the east of those who made the legend—“Kahiki-ku.”)