papers of the Hawaiian Historical Society.

    The collection embraces contributions by the Rev. A. O. Forbes, Dr. N. B. Emerson, J. S. Emerson, Mrs. E. M. Nakuina, W. M. Gibson, Dr. C. M. Hyde, and others, all of whom are recognized authorities.

    T. G. T.

     Honolulu

    , January 1, 1907.

     Rev. C. M. Hyde, D.D.

    In the first volume of Judge Fornander’s elaborate work on “The Polynesian Race” he has given some old Hawaiian legends which closely resemble the Old Testament history. How shall we account for such coincidences?

    Take, for instance, the Hawaiian account of the Creation. The

     Kane

    ,

     Ku

    and

     Lono:

    or, Sunlight, Substance, and Sound,—these constituted a triad named

     Ku-Kaua-Kahi

    , or the Fundamental Supreme Unity. In worship the reverence due was expressed by such epithets as

     Hi-ka-po-loa, Oi-e,

    Most Excellent, etc. “These gods existed from eternity, from and before chaos, or, as the Hawaiian term expressed it, ‘

     mai ka po mia

    ’ (from the time of night, darkness, chaos). By an act of their will these gods dissipated or broke into pieces the existing, surrounding, all-containing

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