This surf-themed legend was recounted by Honolulu Star-Bulletin writer Clarice B. Taylor in her "Tales About Hawaii" column on November 26, 1958. This version has been slightly edited.

As you travel along Kamehameha Highway on the western end of Oahu Island, you pass Waialee and come to a barren ridge above Paumalu Bay [Sunset Beacy]. There you will see a tourist bureau marker for the George Washington Stone. Some people see the head of George Washington on the mountainside facing the sea.

The head is that of a Kauai Prince named Kahikilani who had heard of the wonderful and difficult surfing to be had at Paumalu. Kahikilani came to Oahu determined to learn the art of riding the Paumalu surf.

He practiced day after day and was constantly watched by a Bird Maiden of supernatural powers who lived in a nearby cave.

The maid fell in love with the Prince and sent her bird messengers to place a lehua lei about his neck and bring him to her. By circling about the Prince, the birds guided him to the Bird Maiden’s cave.

The Prince was enchanted with the maid and spent months with her until the return of the surfing season. But the call of the surf was too much, and he left the maiden after promising her that he would never kiss another woman.

A woman passing by saw the Prince surfing, placed an ilima lei about his neck and kissed him.

Kahikilani thought nothing of the act, but the bird messengers of the Bird Maiden were watching. They flew away to tell their mistress that Kahikilani was faithless.

The Bird Maiden ran to the beach with a lehua lei in her hand. She snatched the ilima lei from his neck and replaced it with the lehua.

Kahikilani ran after her. As he got halfway up the mountainside he was turned to stone. He sits there today with a rock lehua lei about his neck, a warning to all faithless lovers.

"FAITHLESS LOVER TURNED TO STONE," ANCIENT HAWAIIAN LOVE-GONE-BAD SURFING LEGEND

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