HE COMING OF PAOA.

Many years ago there lived on the Island of Tahiti several brothers,
all very gifted and powerful gods of that land. One was by name Paoa.

Now Tahitian customs were very like those of Hawaii at that time, in
that the Tahitians offered human sacrifices when a canoe or a heiau
was in process of construction. How the observance of this custom
caused the flight of Paoa to Hawaii, you shall see.

It so happened that one of the brothers was having a canoe built, and
they were all undecided as to whom should be offered in sacrifice. A
quarrel ensued. Paoa and the owner of the new canoe grew very bitter
towards each other over it. When the time came for the sacrifice
Paoa's only son was taken and offered to the flames.

Grief-stricken at the loss of his son and furious at the cruelty of
his brother, Paoa decided to leave it all and seek peace on some other
island. In preparation for the long journey by canoe he took only
three things with him: two kinds of fish--the aku and opelu--and some
pili grass.

Journeying northward he encountered a terrific storm which grew more
terrible as the days passed until it seemed the low canoe could no
longer breast the great mountains of angry water that bore down upon
it as though to drive it under and swallow it into the black depths.

[Illustration: Drawn by Will Herwig. Paradise Eng.

Paoa Stood Upon the Little Plot of Pili Grass As He Answered Her.]

Fearing for his safety, Paoa took the two kinds of fish and threw them
overside. Almost at once the mighty waves were calmed and the canoe
went safely on its way surrounded by an area of calm, peaceful water
while the storm raged on all sides a little distance away.

Even today if you see a smooth area of water in the midst of a rough
sea you will know that there is a school of aku or opelu very near the
surface.

So Paoa sailed safely through the storm. As soon as it subsided he
called back the fish and placed them in his canoe once more. They had
been very helpful and might be of use should the storm arise again.

At last Paoa came to an island which appeared very large and was
covered with vegetation. Paddling his canoe into a great
crescent-shaped bay, he observed a river emptying into it and turned
the nose of his tiny craft that way. Not far up the river he came to a
long, low rock which he called Waa Kauhi, and landed on the
southeastern side of its point.

So great was the joy of Paoa