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roots of the plant for cultivation. The expedition consisted of 

 two canoes, well manned, and named respectively 'PaJiitoiiocr 

 and 'Hakircrc." The former canoe was commanded by Rauru, 

 and the latter by Maihi. 



"On the outward voyage, Pahitonoa was wrecked, Rauru and 

 the survivors being rescued by the crew of Hakircrc. Going on 

 her way, Hakircrc arrived safely at Te Wairuangangana, and 

 application was made to the inhabitants of the island for roots of 

 the taro, which were presented to them by two women, who gave 

 them directions as to the cultivation of the plant, and the requisite 

 behavior on their return journey with such valuable food on 

 board. Following these directions, Maihi was enabled to return 

 safely to Hawaiki, and accordingly introduced the taro to that 

 land." 



According to the ancient Samoan mythology "occasional visits 

 are stated to have been formerly made to the abode of the august 

 Tangaloa (the creator or chief god), by parties from the earth, 

 who returned with some useful benefaction from the deity ; as 

 for instance, Losi, who is reputed to have been the benefactor 

 of his countrymen by bringing taro from the skies (0 1c langi) 

 on his return from one of his expeditions, or presumably, voy- 

 ages, to the north-north-east or north-west." Rev. John B. Stair 

 in article on Mythologv of Old Samoa, Journal of Polynesian So- 

 ciety (Vol. 5, 1896, p.'36). 



It was doubtless brought, by the early Polynesians in their 

 migrations, to Samoa, Tahiti and finally to the Hawaiian Islands. 

 According to certain legends of the ancient Hawaiians, the kalo 

 originated from the "piko" or umbilicus. A number of varieties 

 are called Piko. 



Comment has already been made upon the fact that certain 

 regions were preeminently adapted to kalo growing, and other 

 regions were quite unsuited. This condition naturally led to traf- 

 fic in kalo or ai pai, as its portable state was called. This traffic 

 has continued down to the present time. The Honolulu region, 

 on Oahu, the Lahaina region, on Maui, and the Kau district, 

 on Hawaii, are instances of localities that receive much of their 

 kalo supply from other places. 



Regions noted for the growing of kalo are the Waipio and 

 Waimanu Valleys, on Hawaii ; the Waihee and Wailuku dis- 

 tricts, on Maui ; the Wailua, Pelekunu, and Halawa valleys, on 

 Molokai ; the Waialua, Kahana, and Ewa regions, on Oahu ; and 

 the Hanalei and Kapaa regions on Kauai. There were many 

 other regions famous in ancient times, the above are representa- 

 tive. In general, the islands of Hawaii and Maui, because of 

 their extensive upland regions, were devoted to dry-land or un- 

 irrigated kalo; C/)ahu and Kauai, skirted by broad lowlands, were 

 given over to wet-land or irrigated varieties. 



Its history in Hawaii is therefore as long and as full of in- 

 terest as that of the people themselves. Indeed, the kalo prob- 

 ably has as long a period of cultivation as any other plant can 



