The drum and the voice had led her to Haena, Kauai, to the house of Lohiau, the high-born chief of that island. The house for dancing was long and was beautifully draped with mats of all kinds. It was full of chiefs engaged in the sports of that time. The common people were gathered outside the house of the chief.
The multitude saw a glorious young woman step out of the mist. Then they raised a great shout, praising her with strong voices. It seemed as if the queen of sunrise had summoned the beauty of the morning to rest upon her. The countenance of Pele was like the clearest and gentlest moonlight. The people made a vacant [[76]]space for the passage of this wonderful stranger, casting themselves on the ground before her.
An ancient chant says:
“O the passing of that beautiful woman.
Silent are the voices on the plain.
No medley of the birds is in the forest;
There is quiet, resting in peace.”
Pele entered the long house, passed by the place of the drums, and seated herself on a resting-place of soft royal mats.
The chiefs were astonished, and after a long time asked her if she came from the far-off sunrise of foreign lands.
Pele replied, smiling, “Ka! I belong to Kauai.”