Lana-i-kahiki was a kaukau-ali'i, a high class of chief, from the land of Kahiki who could change his honu, or turtle body into any form-animal or human-at will. Lanaikahiki had decided to visit Ni'ihau, but before going there he made the customary call at Kaula to see Kuhaimoana, the shark guardian of Ni'ihau, who lived at Keanaoku.

Lanaikahiki swam into the cave and was greeted by Kuhaimoana. Lanaikahiki asked Kuhaimoana for permission to tour Ni'ihau. After much deliberation, the shark god said "yes, I will grant you permission, but with one condition: that I accompany you on your tour and that you swim on your side of the ocean." By this Kuhaimoana meant that there are boundaries that divide the sea. Near Ni'ihau is Kuhaimoana's domain, called Kai-kapou-o-Kè or the forbidden seas of Kè. Anything that fell into the ocean within this boundary would continue to live due to the efforts of the shark god. Anything that fell into the other side would surely be eaten.

As they swam side by side, they came to Ka-waha-mana. As the two reached this area, Lanaikahiki noticed all the surfers and turned to Kuhaimoana and said he was hungry and would like to eat some crabs-meaning the surfers. Kuhaimoana reminded Lanaikahiki that he had asked permission only to sightsee and not to come and eat his people, but Lanaikahiki insisted, and with that, the two of them got into a terrible fight. Kuhaimonana took time out from the fight to use all the powers given him. He ordered a huge wave that took all the surfers onto shore and safety. As the fight continued, the two drifted toward the south side of the island to Kahae.

Then Kuhaimonana started to push the honu towards the shallow water, but since he could not manage well in shallow water, he summoned the help of two small halalu. These small fish succeeded in beaching the onu on the rocks, where the rays of the sun touched the turtle and turned him into stone. There he remains to this very day.

Because he was pushed out of the water and floated, he was called Lana, and because he was from Kahiki, his name was Lana-i-Kahiki [Lana of Tahiti]. The real name of the turtle was Lua- hiva kè hohonu ka lua o Kuhaimoana ["Deep indeed is the cave of Kuhaimoana" This refers to a prosperous person.

[Legends of Ni'ihau Tava , Keale 1989, P. 74]

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