From this it may be seen how dangerous it was not to enjoy the good graces of the kahuna, who, by his numerous clan, might revolutionize the whole country.

History affords us an example in the Kahuna Kaleihokuu of Laupahoehoe, who had in his service so considerable a body of retainers that he was able in a day, by a single act of his will, to put to death the great chief Hakau, of Waipio, and substitute in his place Umi, the bastard son (_poolua_) of King Liloa, who had, however, been adopted by Kaleihokuu.

Another example of this remarkable power is seen in the Kahuna of Ka'u, who massacred the high chief Kohookalani, in the neighborhood of Ninole, tumbling down upon him a huge tree from the top of the _pali_ (precipice) of Hilea.
The _Kahuna_, especially those of the race of Paao, were the natural depositaries of history, and took the revered title of _Mo'olelo_, or historians.

Some individuals of this stock still exist, and they are all esteemed by the natives, and regarded as the chiefs of the historical and priestly caste.

The sacerdotal order had its origin in Paao, whose descendants have always been regarded as the _Kahuna maoli_.[6] Paao came from a distant land called Kahiki.