The Shark That Came for Poi

retold here by Tia
Adapted from "The Shark That Came for Poi" from Hawai‘i Legends by Mary Puku‘i Kawena

Aukai and his friends traveled towards the Kona coast when they noticed a great big shark following them. Aukai’s friend threw a bundle of poi at the shark. Shockingly the shark did not jump up and swallow it, instead he pushed it towards shore with his nose. This happened for many weeks then Aukai said that he wanted to find out what the shark did with the poi. Aukai told his friends to go and give the shark poi while he travels in a small canoe not far behind. The friends did as they were told. When the shark came to shore, Aukai saw an old man walking down to the beach. He picked up the poi and went into his house. Then Aukai went back to the village and told them what he saw.

One day the shark did not come, Aukai said he will take the food to the man. He did and when he got to the house, he saw no one. He asked the neighbors and they said that the old man was dead. No one ever saw the shark again.