According to several chiefs, his genealogy must be more correct than that of the kings.

Common tradition declares that Paao came from foreign countries, landing on the north-west shore of Hawaii (Kohala), at Puuepa, in the place where, to this day, are seen the ruins of the Heiau (temple) of Mokini, the most ancient of all the temples, and which he is said to have built.

The advent of Paao and his erection of this heiau are so ancient, according to the old men, that Night helped the priest raise the temple: _Na ka po i kukulu ae la Mokini, a na Paao nae_.

These sayings, in the native tongue, indicate the high antiquity of Paao.[7] To build the temple of Mokini, which also served as a city of refuge, Paao had stones brought from all sides, even from Pololu, a village situated four or five leagues from Mokini or Puuepa.

The Kanakas formed a chain the whole length of the route, and passed the stones from one to another--an easy thing in those times--from the immense population of the neighborhood.
Paao has always been considered as the first of the Kahuna.