This mele hula pahu was taught by Keakaokalā Kanahele and her granddaughter, Eleanor Hiram (1918-1983), to Tom Hiona, who taught it to the performer on this recording, Ka'upena Wong (b. 1929). The rendition of this hula pahu demonstrates a drumbeat pattern called 'ai kupe, taught in the Kanahele tradition as a transitional drumming phrase. The chant, according to Kanahele, was first performed by the goddess, Hi'iaka, younger sister of Pele, the volcano goddess, as she traveled through O'ahu on her way to Kaua'i to fetch Pele's lover, Lohi'au. Ko'olau is the name for the windward side of O'ahu, which is characterized by steep, lushly vegetated cliffs and copious rainfall driven by northeasterly winds.