THROUGH HAWAII. 
201 
pursuing him, were visible ; and the traditionary story 
of his encounter with Pelē is so interesting, that we 
think we shall be pardoned for inserting it. 
In the reign of Keariikukii, an ancient king of Hawaii, 
Kahavari, chief of Puna, and one of his punahele, (fa¬ 
vourite companions,) went one day to amuse themselves 
at the horua on the sloping side of a hill, which is still 
called Ka horua-ana o Kahavari , (the sliding place of 
Kahavari.) Vast numbers of the people collected at 
the bottom of the hill, to witness the game; and a com¬ 
pany of musicians and dancers repaired to the spot, to 
add to the amusement of the spectators. The buskined 
youths had begun their dance, and, amidst the sound of 
the drums and the songs of the musicians, the horua 
commenced between Kahavari and his favourite. Pel6, 
the goddess of the volcano, came down from Kirauea to 
witness ffhe sport. She stood on the top of the hill, in 
the form of a woman, and challenged Kahavari to slide 
with her. He accepted the offer,, and they set off toge¬ 
ther down the hill. Pele, less acquainted with the art 
of balancing herself on the narrow sledge than her rival, 
was beaten, and Kahavari was applauded by the spec¬ 
tators as he returned up the side of the hill. 
Before they started again, Pēle asked him to give her 
his papa. He, supposing from her appearance that she 
was no more than a native woman, said, Aore, no ! 
“ Are you my wife, that you should obtain my sledge V* 
and, as if impatient at being delayed, adjusted his 
papa, ran a few yards to take a spring, and then, with 
all his strength, threw himself upon it, and shot down 
the hill. Pelē, incensed at his answer, stamped on the 
ground, and an earthquake followed, which rent the hill 
in sunder. She called* and fire and liquid lava arose* 
