LEGENDS
OF THE
WAILUKU
SECOND EDITION
Copyright 1920-1921 by
THE CHARLES R. FRAZIER COMPANY
HONOLULU
Paradise of the Pacific Print
Drawn by Will Herwig. Paradise Eng.
Hina's Spirit Still Lives in the Mists of Rainbow Falls.
LEGENDS
OF THE
WAILUKU
Illustrated | Astold by old Hawaiians and done into the English tongue by Charlotte Hapai |
To remember our happy
hours of story-telling,
this printed fragment
is in gratitude dedicated
to my grandmother,
Harriet Kamakanoenoe Hapai.
THE WAILUKU.
Fedfrom the great watershed of Hawaii far up the densely wooded flanks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea—often snow-capped in winter—the Wailuku River roars through the very center of Hilo, principal town of the Island of Hawaii.
There are many vague stories as to why the Wailuku River was so named. In the Hawaiian tongue Wailuku means literally "destroying water."
In olden times before there were bridges and other safeguards the river wrought considerable damage to property and during the rainy season it took its toll of human lives. Legends connected with the Wailuku tend to confirm the belief that it was named for its violent habits.
Long ago, so one legend goes, the much dreaded Kuna (dragon) blocked the gorge below Rainbow Falls with intent to back the waters up and drown the goddess Hina, who dwelt in the great cave for which the falls form a curtain. How her son, the demi-god Maui, came to the rescue, saved his mother, and finally hunted Kuna from his lair up the river and slew him, is told in the legend, "The Last of Kuna."
When Paoa, a very powerful god from Tahiti, came to visit Hawaii he built a grass hut and made his home on the long, low rock—now known as Maui's canoe—in the Wailuku near its mouth.
Local gods viewed this selection of a homesite as foolhardy, but Paoa was unaware of the sudden and rapid rise the river made when heavy rains and cloud-bursts loosed their torrents high upon the slopes of Mauna Kea. Hina, goddess of the river, warned the visitor of his danger and told him how the angry waters would sweep everything before them. In the legend, "The Coming of Paoa," you will find his answer.
In those days there must have been much more water in the river than there is today, for a certain amount is now diverted above Rainbow Falls for water power.
In spite of the decreased volume the river is still very violent and treacherous. At high water big boulders are clumsily rolled down stream and when the river is unusually high even trees are torn from the banks and carried out to sea.
So the Wailuku still lives up to its name, Destroying Water.
HOW HILO WAS NAMED.
King Kamehamehathe Great was a very famous