The tattooed Man-Eaters from the South

Ni'ihau had three 'aikanaka, or man-eaters, who killed and ate anyone who might happen along. They would patrol and wait for the fishermen of Ni'ihau and kaua'i to pass by. A young chief from Kaua'i named Ola decided to end this.

He took his canoe and left Kaua'i for Ni'ihau. In order to fool the 'aikanaka, he carved four wooden men from 'ohi'a wood, which, when placed in his canoe, made it look like there were five people. As he neared Ni'ihau, he lay low in the canoe so it appeared that there were only four men.

The three 'aikanaka spotted the canoe with the four men, thinking that there was another good meal. They would wait until dark and then eat them.

In the meantime, Ola had taken the four wooden tiki And placed mother-of-pearl into the eyes and then put them in a resting position in a house he built. Ola hid in the bush to wait, for he knew he could kill these men with his magic club.

Night fell and the three 'aikanaka arrived. They were astonished to see the four men sleeping with their eyes open but since they did not move, they must be sleeping. The man-eaters started eating the sleeping men, but because they were made of wood, they stuck in the cannibal's teeth.

The 'aikanaka said "Pa'akiki na kanaka o Kaua'i." Hard are the men of Kaua'i.

At this point, Ola came from behind and killed the 'aikanaka, fed them to the sharks and then returned to Kaua'i. The area was named after the four wooden men.

Legends of Ni'ihau Tava , Keale 1989, p. 76-77.

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