--- title: Pili and Noho — Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (mythology) · full text with trees description: Pili and Noho, «Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (mythology)» by W. D. Westervelt: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Hiiaka remembered that there were two dragons in the river Wailuku, a river of swift cascades and beautiful waterfalls near Hilo, so s --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66516/20/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (mytholo…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66516/) / Pili and Noho # Pili and Noho Pili and Noho of «Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (mythology)» by W. D. Westervelt: the whole text, 249 sentences and 3861 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66516/20/page/2/) Hiiaka remembered that there were two dragons in the river Wailuku, a river of swift cascades and beautiful waterfalls near Hilo, so she turned back filled with the wish to destroy them and free the people from that danger.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") At the place where the people crossed the river were two things which looked like large, flat logs tossing in the water.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Any person wishing to cross the river would lay fish, sweet potatoes, and other kinds of food on the logs.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") When these things disappeared the logs would act sometimes as a bridge and sometimes as a boat, taking those who had given presents across the river.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") These logs were the great tongues of the dragons Pili-a-moo and Noho-a-moo, i.e., the dragon Pili and the dragon Noho.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka and her two companions came to the river side.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") The travellers called for an open way across.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") One dragon said to the other, “Here comes one of our family.”[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") The other said: “What of that?[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") She can cross if she pays.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") If she does not give our price, she shall not go over in this place.”[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka ordered the dragons to prepare her way, but they refused.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Then she taunted them as slaves, ordering them to bring vegetable food and fish.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") The dragons became angry and thrashed the water into whirlpools, trying to catch the travellers and pull them into the river.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") The people from far and near gathered to the place of this strange conflict.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") A chief laughed at Hiiaka, saying, “These are dragon-gods, and yet you dispute with them!”[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka said, “Yes, they are dragon-gods, but when I attack them they will die.”[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") The chief offered to make any bet desired that she could not injure the dragons.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka said, “I have no property, but I wager my body, my life, against your property that the dragons die.”[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Then began a great conflict along the banks and in the swift waters.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka struck the dragons with her magic skirt in which was concealed the divine power of lightning.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") They tried to escape, but Hiiaka struck again and again and killed them, changing the bodies into blocks of stone.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Then she called the chief, saying, “I have made the way safe for your people and you; I give back your property and the land of the dragons.”[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka and her friends turned north again and hastened to Waipio Valley to catch Mahiki—the demon of the whirlwind.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") He ran down to meet her and threw dust all over them, then fled inland to the mountains.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka chanted:[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") “I am above Waipio, My eyes look sharply down.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") I have gone along the path By the sea of Makaukiu, Full flowing like the surf.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") I have seen Mahiki, I have seen that he is evil, Evil, very evil indeed.”[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") MOO-LAU[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Hiiaka thought of Moo-lau, who was the great dragon-god of the district Kohala.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") He had a great multitude of lesser gods as his servants.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka clearly and sweetly called for the dragon-gods to prepare a way for her and also to bring gifts for herself and her companions.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") Moo-lau answered, “You have no path through my lands unless you have great strength or can pay the price.”[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Then began one of the great legendary battles of ancient Hawaiian folk-lore.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka, throwing aside her flower-wreaths and common clothes, took her lightning pa-u (skirt) and attacked Moo-lau.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") He fought her in his dragon form.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") He breathed fierce winds against her.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") He struck her with his swift-moving tail.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") He tried to catch her between his powerful jaws.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") He coiled and twisted and swiftly whirled about, trying to knock her down, but she beat him with her powerful hands in which dwelt some of the divine power of volcanoes.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") She struck his great body with her magic skirt in which dwelt the power of the lightning.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Each pitted supernatural powers against the other.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Each struck with magic force and each threw out magic strength to ward off deadly blows.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") They became tired, very tired, and, turning away from each other, sought rest.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Again they fought and again rested.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka chanted an incantation, or call for help:[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") “Moo-lau has a dart Of the wood of the uhi-uhi; \[17\] A god is Moo-lau, Moo-lau is a god!”[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") This was a spirit-call going out from Hiiaka.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") It broke through the clouds hanging on the sides of the mountains.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") It pierced the long, long way to the crater of Kilauea.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") It roused the followers of the fire-goddess.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") A host of destructive forces, swift as lightning, left the pit of fire to aid Hiiaka.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Meanwhile Moo-lau had sent his people to spy out the condition of Hiiaka.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he called for all the reptile gods of his district to help him.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") He rallied all the gnomes and evil powers he could order to come to his aid and make a mighty attack.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") When the battle seemed to be going against her, suddenly the Ho-ai-ku men and the Ho-ai-ka women, the destructive gnomes from the crater, broke in a storm upon Moo-lau and his demons.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") Oh, how the little people from the pit devoured and destroyed the dragon army\![58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") The slaughter of the reptile horde was quickly accomplished and Hiiaka soon saw the body of her enemy the dragon-god trampled underfoot.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") When the god Mahiki saw that Moo-lau was slain and his army defeated he raised a great cloud of dust and fled far off around the western side of the island.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") The whirlwind was one of the earth-monsters which even the sister of the goddess of volcanoes could not destroy.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") Many were the evil demi-gods who tried to hinder Hiiaka in her journey along the east coast of the island Hawaii.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Sharks fought her from the seas.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") The gnomes and dragons of valley and forest tried to destroy her.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Even birds of evil omen came into the fight against her, but she conquered and killed until the land was freed from its enemies and the people of the districts along the sea could journey in comparative safety.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") Pau-o-palae, the goddess of ferns, met the chief of this land which had been freed from the power of the dragon.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") She saw him swimming in the sea and, forgetting her companions, leaped in to sport with him.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") They at once decided to be married.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") Then she turned aside to his new home, leaving Hiiaka and Wahine-omao to go on after Lohiau.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") XVII[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") LOHIAU[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") The story of Hiiaka’s journey over the seas which surround the Hawaiian Islands, and through dangers and perplexities, cannot be fully told in the limits of these short stories.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") There are several versions, so only the substance of all can be given.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") On each island she slew dragons which had come from the ancient traditional home of the Polynesians, India.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") She destroyed many evil-minded gnomes and elves; fought the au-makuas and the demi-gods of land and sea; found the body of Lohiau put away in a cave and watched over by the dragon-women who had been defeated by Pele when in her long sleep she chanted the songs of the Winds of Kauai.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") She slew the guardians of the cave, carried the body to a house where she used powerful chants for restoration.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") She captured the wandering ghost of Lohiau and compelled it again to take up its home in the body, and then with Lohiau and Wahine-omao made the long journey to her home in the volcano.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") From the island of Hawaii to the island Kauai, and along the return journey Hiiaka’s path was marked with experiences beneficial to the people whom she passed.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") This must all be left untold except the story of Lohiau’s restoration to life and the conflict with Pele.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") As Hiiaka and her friend came near the island Kauai, Hiiaka told Wahine-omao that Lohiau was dead and that she saw the spirit standing by the opening of a cave out on the pali of Haena.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") Then she chanted to Lohiau:[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") “The lehua is being covered by the sand, A little red flower remains on the plain, The body is hidden in the stones, The flower is lying in the path.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") Very useful is the water of Kaunu.”[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus she told the ghost that she would give new life even as dew on a thirsty flower.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") They landed and met Lohiau’s sisters and friends.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka asked about the death of Lohiau, and one sister said, “His breath left him and the body became yellow.”[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka said: “There was no real reason for death, but the two women dragons took his spirit and held it captive.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") I will try to bring him back.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") Great is the magic power and strength of the two dragons and I am not a man, and may not win the victory.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") I will have something to eat, and then will go.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") You must establish a tabu for twenty days, and there must be quiet.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") No one can go to the mountains, nor into the sea.[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") You must have a house made of ti \[18\] leaves for the dead body and make it very tight on all sides.”[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") The next day they made the house.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka commanded that a door be made toward the east.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Hiiaka said, “Let us open the door of the house.”[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics") When this was done, Hiiaka said: “To-morrow let the tabu be established on land and sea.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics") To-morrow we commence our work.”[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics") She made arrangements to go to the cave in the precipice at dawn.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") Rain came down in floods and a strong wind swept the face of the precipice.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics") A fog clung fast to the hills.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics") The water rushed in torrents to the sea.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics") It was an evil journey to Lohiau.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics") At sunrise they went on through the storm.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka uttered this incantation:[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics") “Our halas greet the inland precipice, In the front of the calling hill.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics") Let it call, You are calling to me.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics") Here is the great hill outside.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics") It is cold, Cold for us.”[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics") The dragons shouted for them to stay down, or they would destroy them on the rocks.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics") But the small spirit voice of Lohiau called for Hiiaka to come and get him.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka chanted to Lohiau, telling him they would save him.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") As they went up, stones in showers fell around and upon them.[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics") One large stone struck Hiiaka in the breast, and she fell off the pali.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics") Then they began to get up and sticks of all kinds fell upon them again, forcing Hiiaka over the precipice.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics") The dragons leaped down on Hiiaka, trying to catch her in their mouths and strike her with their tails.[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka struck them with her magic skirt, and their bodies were broken.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") The spirits of the dragons went into other bodies and leaped upon Hiiaka roaring, and biting and tearing her body.[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") She swung her skirt up against the dragons, and burned their bodies to ashes.[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics") The dragons again took new bodies for the last and most bitter battle.[120](120/ "tree and pragmatics") Hiiaka told Wahine-omao to cover her body with leaves and sticks near the pali and in event of her death to return with the tidings to Hawaii.[121](121/ "tree and pragmatics") One dragon caught Hiiaka and bent her over.[122](122/ "tree and pragmatics") The other leaped upon Hiiaka, catching her around the neck and arm.[123](123/ "tree and pragmatics") One tried to pull off the pa-u and tear it to pieces.[124](124/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66516/20/page/2/) - ← previous: [Hiiaka and the Seacoast Kupuas](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66516/19/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66516/20/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (mythology)](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66516/)