210 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
themselves in his favour, as* the immediate 
descendant of Taraiopu. Among them he resided 
several years, undisturbed by Tamehameha, fre¬ 
quently making attacks on the northern and 
western parts of the island, in which, however, he 
was generally repulsed with loss. Notwithstand¬ 
ing the defeats he had experienced, he was still 
desirous to obtain the sovereignty of the whole 
island, to the throne of which he considered him¬ 
self the legitimate heir, and in the year 1789 
marched from Hiro with all his forces, to attack 
Kaii and Kona on the western shores. He took 
the inland road, and on his way across the island 
halted for the night in the vicinity of the volcano. 
An eruption took place that very night, and de¬ 
stroyed the warriors of two small villages, in all* 
about eighty men. This was considered an ill 
omen. He, however, continued his march, and 
shortly after reached Tairitii. Here he was met 
by a body of Tamehameha’s warriors under Taiana, 
a chief, of whom frequent mention is made in 
Meare's and Dixon's voyages. An engagement 
took place, in which he was defeated, and obliged 
to retreat towards Hiro. The victorious party 
pursued, and overtook him at Puakokoki, in the 
division of Puna, where another battle was fought, 
in which his forces were totally routed, and almost 
all of them slain. He saved himself by flying to 
the mountains, attended by a few of his kabu, 
or faithful companions. Taiana and his warriors 
returned to Waiohinu, there to remain till the 
place of his retreat should be discovered. 
After some time, Keoua, Kaoreioku, his 
younger brother, and a few friends that were 
with them, came to Makanau. From hence he 
despatched a messenger to Taiana, requesting 
