Page:Pele and Hiiaka; a myth from Hawaii (IA pelehiiakamythfr00emeriala).pdf/85

 True to Hiiaka's prediction, the mo'o, in abject fear, turned and fled for their lives at her first threatening move and she now called upon the people to pursue and destroy them:

The meaning of the figure in the first two verses, though obscure, seems to be that Hilo, so rich in natural beauty, is by that very fact robbed of the energy to defend herself and cast off the incubus that oppresses her.

As the creatures fled from Hiiaka's pursuit, their human disguise fell from them and their real character as mo’o was evident.

"We've committed a great blunder," said Pili-a-mo'o to his mate. "It looks as if she meant to kill us. Let us apologize for our mistake and conciliate her with fair words."

Noho-a-mo'o agreed to this and, turning to Hiiaka, made this wheedling speech: