Legends & Myths of Hawaii. King David Kalakaua

      Rising up out of the night (Po)!

      Appeared has the island, the land,

      The string of islands of Nuuamea,

      The cluster of islands stretching to the farthest ends of Kahiki.

      To Kuluwaiea of Haumea, the husband,

      To Hina-nui-a-lana, the wife,

      Was born Molokai, a god, a priest,

      The first morning light from Nuuamea.

      Up stands Akuhinialaa,

      The chief from the foreign land;

      From the gills of the fish

      From the overwhelming billows of Halehale-kalani,

      Born is Oahu, the wohi,

      The wohi of Akuhinialaa,

      And of Laamealaakona the wife."

      Kamahualele began by repeating an ancient story of the origin of the several islands of the group, and concluded his chant with these hopeful words:

      "O Haumea Manukahikele,

      O Moikeha, the chief who is to reside,

      My chief will reside on Hawaii—a!

      Life, life, O buoyant life!

      Live shall the chief and priest,

      Live shall the seer and the slave,

      Dwell on Hawaii and be at rest,

      And attain old age on Kauai.

      O Kauai is the island—a!

      O Moikeha is the chief!"

      Thus sang the poet, with his face toward the verdant slopes of Kau, while the canoes of the fleet gathered around him, that all might hear the words of one who read the fate of mortals in the stars.

      II.