(d) Kamakau version. Kane, assisted by Ku and Lono and
opposed by Kanaloa, makes the heaven and the earth. All is
chaotic. Nothing exists but the upper regions and the spirit
gods. Kane excels among the gods in wisdom and power. The
triad of gods unite in forming the world. They begin on the
twenty-sixth day of the month, the day dedicted to Kane, and
in six days, including the days of Kane, Lono, Mauli, Moku,
Hilo, Hoaka, form the heavens and the earth. The sabbath or
holy day of Ku is established on the seventh day.
On Oahu between Kualoa and Kaneohe lies the first land
planned by the gods. On the eastern flank of Mololani (a crater
hill on Mokapu), at a place where fine red earth is mixed with
bluish and blackish soil, the first man is formed by the three
gods Kane, Ku, Lono. Kane draws a likeness of the gods with
head, body, hands, and legs like themselves. Then he makes the
image live and it becomes the first man. The gods place him in
a house of kou wood and name him Huli-honua because he is
“made out of earth.” The first man notices that his shadow
always clings to him. While he sleeps the god makes a good-looking woman and when he awakes she lies by his side. He calls
her Ke-aka-huli-lani (The shadow from the heavens).
Beckwith, Martha Warren, Hawaiian Mythology, new intro. Katharine Luomala, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1970, p. 45.
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