Two gods came from Puna. They were Kaakau and Kaohuwalu. They waited above Hakalaoa looking down into Waipio. There they saw Kapuni leaping. He touched a branch of a kukui-tree and fell down. He leaped again and touched the short top branches of the kukui and fell down.
Kaakau said to Kaohuwalu, “Suppose we get Kapuni to go with us as our travelling companion, one with us, in fierce storms, or in the cold heavy dews of night.”
Kaohuwalu assented, and they arose and went down. They called to Kapuni, asking him to [[106]]leap up. He tried again and again and always fell back.
Kaakau caught him as he fell and cut off part of his body because he was too heavy, then he could fly to the sky and return again.
Kaakau asked him how he was succeeding. He replied, “Very well indeed; I am swift in flight.” Then Kaakau said, “Will you go with us on a journey?” Kapuni said, “Yes.”
They went away to the lands of Kahiki and returned to Kauai. From there they heard the wonderful voice of a shell sounding from the temple Waolani in Nuuanu Valley.
Kapuni said, “What is that thing which makes such a sound?”
Kaakau said, “That is a shell which belongs to the eepas [gnomes], the people of Waolani, Oahu.”
“I want that shell very much,” said Kapuni. Kaakau told him that the task would be very difficult and dangerous, for the shell was guarded by watchmen from hill to hill, from the sea to the summit of the valley, and along all the pathways to the neighboring villages.
The gods, however, crossed the channel to Oahu, and rested at night above Kahakea. Here was a temple above Waolani. It was upon a hill. In it was a noted drum. The name of that temple was Pakaaluna. Kapuni told his friends to stay [[107]]there waiting for him. If he did not return before the red dust of the dawn was in the sky they would know he was dead. If he returned he would have the shell.