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Hawaiian Folk Tales - A Collection of Native Legends by Various
page 30 of 265 (11%)
hill, which is still called _ka holua ana o Kahawali_ (Kahawali's
sliding-place). Vast numbers of the people gathered at the bottom of
the hill to witness the game, and a company of musicians and dancers
repaired thither to add to the amusement of the spectators. The
performers began their dance, and amidst the sound of drums and the
songs of the musicians the sledding of Kahawali and his companion
commenced. The hilarity of the occasion attracted the attention of
Pele, the goddess of the volcano, who came down from Kilauea to witness
the sport. Standing on the summit of the hill in the form of a woman,
she challenged Kahawali to slide with her. He accepted the offer,
and they set off together down the hill. Pele, less acquainted with
the art of balancing herself on the narrow sled than her rival, was
beaten, and Kahawali was applauded by the spectators as he returned
up the side of the hill.

Before starting again, Pele asked him to give her his _papa holua_,
but he, supposing from her appearance that she was no more than a
native woman, said: "_Aole!_ (no!) Are you my wife, that you should
obtain my sled?" And, as if impatient at being delayed, he adjusted his
papa, ran a few yards to take a spring, and then, with this momentum
and all his strength he threw himself upon it and shot down the hill.

Pele, incensed at his answer, stamped her foot on the ground and
an earthquake followed, which rent the hill in sunder. She called,
and fire and liquid lava arose, and, assuming her supernatural form,
with these irresistible ministers of vengeance, she followed down
the hill. When Kahawali reached the bottom, he arose, and on looking
behind saw Pele, accompanied by thunder and lightning, earthquake, and
streams of burning lava, closely pursuing him. He took up his broad
spear which he had stuck in the ground at the beginning of the game,
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