Note 21 — PREFACE.

In looking for stories of these islands it is shown in that mele composed by the great historian, one of the chiefs’ most renowned historians of Hawaii nei. But we cannot certify to the absolute truth of the story; there are several other stories very much like these, but which one is the real truth it is hard to tell. In the story or tradition of Wakea the origin of these islands is plainly told, and there are also meles reciting the doings of Wakea with regard to the peopling of these islands. One of the songs was composed by Pakui,21 a historian and a famous composer of songs, and he was classed among the high priests of the order of priesthood.