In ancient times, King Teena and his wife Rumareibau lived on the peninsula of Tahiti. They had an only son named Auatoa. He grew up without having been further than Tautira, the great city in the north of Tahiti iti and had only traveled within the kingdom.
When he reached adulthood, he went to ask his parents: – Is this everyone?
And his father answered: - No my son, our fenua is very vast, it is surrounded by the immense ocean and beyond are a multitude of other nations.
Auatoa with shining eyes, smiled at her parents and said to them in a vibrant voice: – I would like to explore my island, let me explore it!
Seeing his determination, the parents knew that the long-awaited moment had arrived, their son was opening up to the world!
Great ceremonies were given, Auatoa was tattooed by the Arioi who initiated him into prayers and genealogies, and the masters of war taught him the art of combat. A large body of faithful servants, brave warriors and priests were assembled and the journey of exploration began.
They headed east and were prevented from going further by the vertiginous cliffs of Le Pari. To pay homage to the gods who guarded this end of the world, they sounded the great stone drum facing the pass for a whole night.
Then they followed the southern route, crossing the immense forests of mape and making offerings to the god Oro on the marae of Teahupoo whose walls were covered with skulls bleached by the sun. Everywhere the ocean was at the end of their path. Auatoa finally led his troop towards the West following the course of the sun.
Everywhere the land was fertile and the people welcoming.
The journey continued and the expedition came within sight of the city of Punaauia. The royal family, long warned of his approaching arrival, welcomed him with joy. He took his place among his hosts who had arranged the large umete bowls for the welcoming ceremony during which all the men were going to drink the kava.
Auatoa was very moved by the solemnity of the reception, when the most beautiful girl he had ever met approached him. It was the young princess Temoreari'i vahine. She walked over to him and greeted him, rubbing her nose against his and handing him a bowl full of kava, the drink of the gods. This rare honor and the grace of the princess moved her heart.
The passion was mutual and soon after they decided to get married. The young couple returned to live on the peninsula. Quickly, the princess saw his belly grow and the joy was great for the whole tribe to learn that the prince was going to be a father. Diviners, astrologers and priests chose a name for the heir, it would be called "Honoura".
Alas, the baby that was born was locked in its placenta and did not move. His father exclaimed: – That's not human! It must be buried!
But an invisible spirit sent by the gods growled solemnly: – O mortal, do not bury this envelope, deposit it in the cave of Mount Tahuareva!
Thus the placenta was deposited by the priests where the gods had ordered it.
No one knew what happened inside the cave. From the envelope arose a giant of great strength who could lengthen and shrink at will. He fed on the stones that strewn the floor of his lair and had no other companion than the tutelary spirit who had saved him at birth. Having no clothes, he always stayed in the cave.
During this time, his parents had three beautiful boys named Tai-ea, Tai-ranu, and Tuma.
One day, when Hono'ura was already an adult, Tautu, a friend of King Ta'ihia went to the cave to pray to the god Ra'a to sanctify a religious ceremony. He discovered Hono'ura who dared not move, ashamed of his nudity. Tautu returned to inform King Ta'ihia. The family was amazed. Hono'ura's mother hurriedly beat a large tapa loincloth. Not daring to go there themselves, the parents sent their three sons accompanied by guides from King Ta'ihia to bring the loincloth and invite Hono'ura to come to their home.
The visitors greeted Hono'ura and offered him the loincloth and food. He accepted the brand new food for him but refused to join them. Advised by the spirit, he told them that he would go out the next day at dawn. The visitors left Hono'ura and spread the news everywhere.
The next day a crowd was assembled on the plain facing Mount Tahu'a-reva. Hono'ura came out wearing his loincloth and began to grow, grow until his head was above the clouds covering the mountain. The people were amazed and messengers from Ta'ihia invited him to come to the king. Hono'ura did not answer and sang until dusk. At that moment, it reduced its size and disappeared.
