Under Hawaiian skies, a narrative of the romance, adventure and history of the Hawaiian Islands, a complete historical account, by Albert Pierce Taylor.

WHIENCE CAME THE HAWAIIANS?

47

the only survivors of one of the catastrophes. This legend indicates the disconnection of the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Lanai,
Kahoolawe, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.
Though but mere dots in the ocean, they are the visible evidences of the remnants of the cataclysm, and from these may be
deduced the evidences of the existence at one time of a submerged
island-continent in the center of the Pacific Ocean.
Scientists who regard the islands as entirely developed through
volcanic upheavals, either thrust up from the bottom of the ocean
by a titanic eruption, or gradually built up flow by flow of lava
from craters, assert that the islands are twenty thousand years
old. It is a theory based on scientific deductions, stripped of all
myth and tradition.
Do the Hawaiians of today believe in these legends of the
creation of their race? Do the Anglo-Saxons believe in fairies?
The answer is the same to both queries. Yes.
Even in this (lay, the Hawaiians express a strong belief in the
"lost continent" idea, for mystic ancient rites are still secretly
indulged in at the island of Niihau. at the point of Kamalino,
near the landing of Nono-papa. Just to the right of the landing
of Nonopapa is a rock known as "Ka-hiki-moe," "the sleeping
east." It is oblong- in shape and not of great size. Nearby is a
land cave. Hawaiians who visit this spot to see the noted "kaliiki-moe" render offerings of awa root and other things as they
did centuries ago. But it is merely an observance of custom, not
necessarily one of religious belief.
As one peers down into the sea there is revealed a great crevasse which is said to be the passage through which this small
rock came to the land.
Far out as one looks seaward, and just above the surface at
times as the tide recedes, there is seen a red stone, known as the
"Pio-ke-anue-anue," or the 'arching rainbow," because of its
brilliant coloring, for it is there that the sun seenms to set, and
where the rainbow's end seems to pass from the sky into the depths
of the ocean.