The Giants

In the middle of the plain on the north end of the island, standing by itself, is a small round hill called Pakeho'olua This is the story behind that hill. Many hundred of years ago, there were giants that lived throughout the islands. One great giant lived on Kaua'i; another lived on Ni'ihau. As was custom, they continually taunted and bragged to each other across the Kaulakahi Channel.

Their booming voices shook the land when they were angry. One day while the two were teasing each other, anger arose. Each was trying to show the other that he was greater and had much more strength. They began to shout, "Men who eat sweet potato are strong. Men who eat poi are weak." Angered, they threw rocks at each other. The Ni'ihau man's rock fell short of Kaua'i landing, just outside the breakers at Mana.

It had a big white cross on it and is still seen today. The Kaua'i man tore off a piece of the pali behind Mana and hurled it on Ni'ihau, killing the Ni'ihau giant. His bones lie there today and underneath the mound of Kaua'i dirt known as Pakehoolua. On each island there is a part of the other, and the boasts remain until today.

Legends of Ni'ihau Tava , Keale 1989,p.76

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