er of the native mind and throw some light also on the history
of the Hawaiians.

Tradition in this locality deals largely with Kamapuaa, the famous
demigod whose exploits figure prominently in the legends of the entire
group. Summarized, the story is about as follows:

Kamapuaa, the fabulous being referred to, seems, according to the
tradition, to have possessed the power of transforming himself into
a hog, in which capacity he committed all manner of depredations upon
the possessions of his neighbors. He having stolen some fowls belonging
to Olopana, who was the King of Oahu, the latter, who was then living
at Kaneohe, sent some of his men to secure the thief. They succeeded
in capturing him, and having tied him fast with cords, were bearing
him in triumph to the King, when, thinking they had carried the joke
far enough, he burst the bands with which he was bound, and killed
all the men except one, whom he permitted to convey the tidings to
the King. This defeat so enraged the monarch that he determined to go
in person with all his force, and either destroy his enemy, or drive
him from his dominions. He accordingly, despising ease inglorious,

Waked up, with sound of conch and trumpet shell,
The well-tried warriors of his native dell,

at whose head he sought his waiting enemy. Success attending the King's
attack, his foe was driven from the field with great loss, and betook
himself to the gorge of Kaliuwaa, which leads to the falls. Here the
King thought he had him safe; and one would think so too, to look
at the immense precipices that rise on each side, and the falls in
front. But the sequel will show that he had a slippery fellow to deal
with, at least when he chose to assume the character of a swine; for,
being pushed to the upper end of the gorge near the falls, and seeing
no other way of escape, he suddenly transformed himself into a hog,
and, rearing upon his hind legs and leaning his back against the
perpendicular precipice, thus afforded a very comfortable ladder
upon which the remnant of the army ascended and made their escape
from the vengeance of the King. Possessing such powers, it is easy to
see how he could follow the example of his soldiers and make his own
escape. The smooth channels before described are said to have been
made by him on these occasions; for he was more than once caught in
the same predicament. Old natives still believe that they are the
prints of his back; and they ac