Page:Pele and Hiiaka; a myth from Hawaii (IA pelehiiakamythfr00emeriala).pdf/100

 behind. On this occasion Hiiaka was seen to eat of the food that was provided for her.

The line of travel now chosen by Hiiaka was that along the northern or Koolau side of the island of Maui and led them at first through a barren stretch of country called a kaha, the food-supply of which came from a distance. It was here that Wahine-oma’o began to complain bitterly of hunger and exhaustion from the lack of food, and she besought Hiiaka to intercede with the people of a neighboring fishing village to give them something to eat.

"How is this, that you are a-hungered so soon after the feast of which you have partaken? This is a kaha," said Hiiaka, "and you must know that food does not grow in this place. They have only fish from the sea. Nevertheless, I will venture the request." This she did in the language of song:

Some of the people derided them, saying, "Mahaoi!"—what impudence! Others, with kindness in their tones, explained, "This is a barren place; and all of our food comes from a great distance." The churlish ones, however, kept up their taunts: "You won’t get any food in this place. Go up there;" and they pointed in the direction of Iao valley, where was the residence of King Ole-pau.

During the whole of the day, while tramping through this