In the mele given on p. 130 the cry was, "Kane is drunken
with awa!" The two gods Kane and Ku were companions in their
revels as well as in nobler adventures. Such a poem as this
flashes a strong light into the workings of the Hawaiian mind
on the creations of their own imagination, the beings who
stood to them as gods; not robbing them of their power, not
deposing them from the throne of the universe, perhaps not
even penetrating the veil of enchantment and mystery with
which the popular regard covered them, at the most perhaps
giving them a hold on the affections of the people.

[Translation]

_Song_

Look forth, god Ku, look forth!
Huh! Ku is blear-eyed!
Aye, weave now the wreath--
A wreath for the dog Pua-lena;
5 A hala plume for Kahili,
Choice garlands from Niho-ku.
[Page 226] There was a scurry of clouds, earth, groaned;
The sound of your baying reached
Hawaii the verdant, the pet of the gods;
10 A portent was seen in the heavens.
You were kept in a cradle of gourd,
Water-gourd of the witch Kilioe,
Who haunted the cliffs of Haena--
The fiery blasts of the crater
15 Touch not Kamoho-alii's cliff.
Your travel reaches Waipi'o,
The sacred cliff of god Kane.
Sleep fled the bed of the king
At the din of the conch Kiha-pu.
20 The king was tormented, depressed;
His messenger sped on his way;
Found help from Kanai of Mano--
The marvelous foster child,
By Waiuli, Kahuli, upreared;
25 Your answer, a-o-a, a-o-a!--
'Twas thus Kauahoa made ready betimes,
That hero of old Hanalei--
"Strike home! then sleep at midday!"
"God fend a war between kindred!"
30 One flower all other surpasses;
Twine with it a wreath of kai-o'e,
A chaplet to crown Pua-lena.
My labor now has its reward,
The doorsill of Pa-ka'a-lana.
35 My heart leaps up in great cheer