[Footnote 41: A peculiarly close family relation between brother and
sister is reflected in Polynesian tales, as in those of Celtic, Finnish,
and Scandinavian countries. Each serves as messenger or go-between for
the other in matters of love or revenge, and guards the other's safety
by magic arts. Such a condition represents a society in which the family
group is closely bound together. For such illustrations compare the
Fornander stories of _Halemano, Hinaikamalama, Kalanimanuia, Nihoalaki,
Kaulanapokii, Pamano_. The character of accomplished sorceress belongs
especially to the helpful sister, a woman of the Malio or Kahalaomapuana
type, whose art depends upon a life of solitary virginity. She knows
spells, she can see what is going on at a distance, and she can restore
the dead to life. In the older stories she generally appears in bird
form. In more human tales she wins her brother's wishes by strategy.
This is particularly true of the characters in this story, who win their
way by wit rather than magic. In this respect the youngest sister of
Aiwohikupua should be compared with her prototype, Kaulanapokii, who
weaves spells over plants and brings her slain brothers back to life.
Kahalaomapuana never performs any such tasks, but she is pictured as
invincible in persuasion; she never fails in sagacity, and is always
right and always successful. She is, in fact, the most attractive
character in the story. It is rather odd, since modern folk belief is
firmly convinced of the power of love spells, that none appear in the
recorded stories. All is accomplished by strategy.]
[Footnote 42: For the translation of this dialogue I am indebted, to the
late Dr. Alexander, to whose abstract of the story I was fortunate
enough to have access.]