Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of the grand and exciting Hawaiian epic about the goddesses Pele and Hi’iaka.
PART SIX
Fresh off her destruction of the gigantic shark-monster Maka’ukui, Hi’iaka led her two companions – the fern goddess Pa’u’o’pala’e and the mortal woman Wahine – as they renewed their quest to reach Kauai.
Their path next led them into the jungle around Waimanu where the monstrous creatures called the Mahiki terrorized the vicinity. The Mahiki were lizard-like creatures the size of horses and had legs like grasshoppers. These monsters could leap long distances to attack their prey, but had full human consciousness.
Near Pololu Hi’iaka and her two companions came across two men screaming in agony and writhing on the ground. The Mahiki had assaulted them, tearing out their leg bones and leaving them to die slowly and agonizingly. The goddess used her powers to heal both men and, enraged by such sadism, swore to annihilate the Mahiki.
To that end Hi’iaka cried out a challenge, daring the monsters to come out from hiding and face her in battle. Laumihi crept too close and Hi’iaka killed her with one blow. As Mo’olau, the female leader of the pack, neared her Hi’iaka swore to tear off her head and rip out her heart. The Mahiki circled the trio of travelers until darkness fell, then began their assault
Mo’olau battled Hi’iaka while the two remaining daughters of Mo’olau attacked Pa’u’o’pala’e and Wahine. The battle was long and bloody but by its end Hi’iaka had fulfilled her promise to decapitate Mo’olau and rip out her heart. Her two companions had likewise dispatched their opponents, and so come morning the threesome set out again for Kauai. The site of this battle was remembered by the Hawaiian people as Mahiki-waena. +++
I’LL CONTINUE THE STORY SOON. CHECK BACK ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK FOR UPDATES.
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FOR ANOTHER EPIC MYTH CLICK HERE: https://glitternight.com/2013/03/17/iroquois-epic-myth-hodadeion/
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Tearing off her head and tearing out the monsters heart too? Talk about overkill.
Ha! You got that right!