THROUGH HAWAII. 
399 
the island, in which, however, he was generally re¬ 
pulsed with loss. Notwithstanding the defeats he 
had experienced, he was still desirous to obtain the 
sovereignty of the whole island, to the throne of which 
he considered himself 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 halt¬ 
ed for the night in the vicinity of the volcano. An 
eruption took place that very night, and destroyed the 
warriors of two small villages, in all about eighty men. 
This was considered an ill omen. He, however, con¬ 
tinued 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 Meares’s and Dixon’s voyages. An engage¬ 
ment took place, in which he was defeated, and obliged 
to retreat towards Hiro. The victorious party pur¬ 
sued, 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 kahu, or faithful companions. 
Taiana and his warriors returned to Waiohinu, there 
to remain till the place of his retreat should be dis¬ 
covered. 
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 permission to pass to the sea¬ 
shore, in order that he might go and surrender himself 
to Tamehameha, who was then at Towaihae. Taiana, 
and the rest of the warriors, agreed to allow him to 
