Just mauka of the Hilo Boarding School are three large, rounded hills
which, centuries ago, were mud craters. Covered with the green of
rustling cane-tops, at a distance they appear to be soft, grassy
mounds. Many a tourist, gazing from the deck of an incoming ship, has
yearned to "stroll over those smooth, rolling hills," only to find the
pastime quite impossible on nearer view, which revealed the "velvety
grass" as lusty sugar cane stalks ten to fifteen feet high and closely
interwoven.
But now the last crop of cane has been harvested from these graceful
mounds and their slopes are being prepared to receive the
dwelling-houses of any who choose--and can afford--to live in the
rarified atmosphere of romance that hangs about this Hawaiian Olympus.
Nor is the term Olympus as applied to these hills a redundant flight
of fancy. Long ago--many, many years before the haole came to plant
his sugar cane in their deep, rich soil--these hills were the homes of
several beautiful goddesses.
The makai and largest hill, called Halai, was the home of Hina Keahi,
eldest daughter of the goddess Hina, who lived at Waianuenue--the cave
behind Rainbow Falls in the Wailuku River--and sister of Maui the
demi-god. To Hina Keahi was given power over fire.
In many ways this young goddess aided her people, bestowing upon them
the blessing of protection from fire while teaching them many ways in
which to use it. The remarkable fact has often been noted, by the way,
that although the Hawaiians always lived in grass houses, seldom was
one known to be destroyed by fire. Hina Keahi was well beloved by her
people and her lightest commands were obeyed meticulously.
Food had always been plentiful in Hawaii. The people cultivated their
fields, which yielded bountifully. But one time the crops failed--grew
smaller and smaller--and began to shrivel up and die. Soon a famine
spread over the land. Crops were allowed to wholly perish because none
was strong enough to tend them.
Hina Keahi saw that unless something was done at once her beloved
followers would all die. Calling them about her she commanded that an
immense imu be dug in the top of Halai Hill. "Prepare a place for each
kind of food as though you were ready to fill the imu, then bring as
much firewood as you can," she ordered.
The starving people summoned new strength at this promise and worked
for many days preparing the enormous imu. Knowing a human sacrifice
would be offered as the only possible result of their labors, they
lived in fear and wondered who would be chosen. Still, they never once
thought of deserting their work and finally everything was in
readiness.
"Fill the imu with wood and heat it," commanded Hina.
As soon as this was done she turned to the wondering people and said:
"Listen to what I tell you, and follow my instructions. It is the only
way you can be saved from starvation. I will step into the imu and you
must quickly cover me with earth. Do not stop throwing earth over me
until the last puff of smoke disappears. In three days a woman will
appear at the edge of the imu and tell you what to do."
Bidding them farewell, Hina Keahi stepped quickly into the red-hot
imu. Immediately a dense white cloud of smoke surrounded and concealed
her. For a moment the people stood transfixed at the sight; but
remembering instructions they at once began covering the imu with
earth.
Followed then three long days of waiting fraught with mingled hopeful
expectancy and anxiety for their goddess. On the third day everyone
repaired to the edge of the imu and awaited the appearance of the
woman of whom Hina Keahi had spoken.
In the meantime Hina Keahi had not remained in the imu for long. The
fire had not harmed her, for she had complete power over it. Going
underground she made her way toward the sea, coming to the surface of
the earth somewhere near the spot on which the Hilo Boarding School
stands today. The place was marked by a bubbling spring.
Once more she disappeared underground and again came to the surface,
creating another spring near the present location of the Hilo Hotel. A
third time the goddess followed her subterranean route, coming up in a
third spring at the place now occupied by the American Factors' lumber
yard. Refreshing herself in the clear waters, she started back to her
home, this time traveling above ground.
Thus on the third day from the disappearance of Hina Keahi those
gathered about the imu saw a strange woman approaching from the
direction of the sea. As she drew near they noticed a striking
resemblance to their own goddess, yet she, they knew, was buried in
the imu. In fear they drew away, but the strange woman smiled and told
them to uncover the imu.
Reluctantly they set to work, dreading the sight which all had in
mind. But when the imu was uncovered they found it filled with cooked
food--enough to supply their needs until the rains came and new crops
could be grown and harvested. In gratitude they turned to thank the
strange woman, but she had vanished.
And to this day one may see the immense imu in the top of Halai Hill,
now overgrown with a thicket of feathery bamboo, which the people left
open in memory of their timely deliverance.