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Josh at Akaka Falls
Located just north of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, Akaka Falls tumbles over 420 feet into a stream-eroded gorge. Legends say that a Hawaiian Akua (God) named Akaka lived beside the waterfall. Akaka's cousin, Kiha, offended Akaka and was condemned to jump over the falls. His body was transformed into a red-brown pohaku (stone) that lies in the pool today. Akaka was married and had an ilio (dog). He also was a kolohe (rascal) who had two wahines (girlfriends). One was named Lehua, on the north side, and the other named Maile, on the south side. One day while he was with Lehua, Akaka's kanewahine (wife) unexpectedly returned home and called for him. Feeling guilty, he raced back with his faithful dog. Near the edge of the cliff, Akaka slipped and fell into Kiha's grave. His dog remained at the cliff and turned into stone. Running to save Akaka, his wife also turned into stone at the edge of the falls. Upon hearing Akaka's fate, Maile and Lehua wept and turned into waterfalls, located further down.
Visit Akaka Falls web site
