Lono

Robert D. Craig's Handbook of Polynesian Mythology presents one account of Lono and Ka-iki-lani. In its description of the Makahiki, people brought district contributions, including vegetables, wild animals, dried fish, kapa and mats for nobility and priests. Mock battles, wrestling and other celebrations followed. The festival continued until Lono's symbol was carried out of the district and the new year began. Craig then relates a story said to explain the festival's beginnings. Lono sent two brothers to earth to find a suitable wife. They found Ka-iki-lani in Waipi'o Valley on the Big Island of Hawai'i and returned to tell him. Lono descended from heaven on a rainbow and presented himself before her. They married and spent much of their time surfing. Later, Lono suspected his wife of infidelity. In anger, he beat Ka-iki-lani to death.

Hawaiian Mythology (2021) gives a separate telling of Ka-iki-lani's death and what follows. Here, an earthly chief makes love to her and sings a wooing song; Lono hears the song and becomes angry. This account says that he beats her to death, but that before she dies she assures him of her innocence and her love. It is this telling that then has Lono institute the Makahiki games in her honour. He travels about the island challenging men to wrestle. He builds a canoe with an ohia-wood mast, a sail of Ni'ihau matting and coconut cordage. People pile provisions before him, forty men carry the canoe to the launching place, and Lono sails alone.