The Mo‘o of Mākua Valley
"The stream comes down to the shore from Ko‘iahi [a place in Mākua Valley]. It is that stream where the mo‘o comes down when the heavy rains fall and the stream is full of water. She came down to meet her boy friend, the shark from Kāneana Cave. When the stream flows strong it breaks through the sand on the beach. That is when the mo‘o goes into the sea and goes on that big rock next to the blowhole at the Wai‘anae end of the beach. The rock is called Pohaku-ku-la‘i-la‘i. There, she turned herself into a beautiful princess and would call him. The shark would come from Kāneana Cave through the undersea entrance and swim to the reef just outside of the blowhole. When the waves came in, they would carry him under the reef and into the sea entrance of the blowhole. He would be tossed ashore through the blowhole and turn himself into a handsome prince. The two of them would make love, and when they were ready they would go to live in the stream. When the mo‘o goes into the stream all the greenery covers the water and that is when we know she is there. When she is there, we are not supposed to go swimming in the stream and disturb her. When she goes out, the water is clear. When she is home, the water is green; that means she is there."
Reference Cited
Kelly, M., and S.M. Quintal. 1977. The Cultural History Report of Makua Military Reservation and Vicinity, Makua Valley, Oahu, Hawaii. Bishop Museum. Honolulu, HI.
