In ancient times there were many `alae `ula in the lo`i (taro patch) near Hamakua. The `alae `ula is a very beautiful bird. It has a black body with a red spot at the center of its head and its beak is yellow.

There is a legend about the `alae `ula and a time when there was no fire for warmth or preparing food. The `alae kea (the white beaked `alae) wanted to help. It flew to the place of the gods and stole a burning stick. As it held the burning stick in its beak a red mark was burned on its forehead. That is how the red beaked `alae came to be and how fire was first brought to people.

Another legend tells of the `alae kea who taught the demigod, Maui, how to make fire. For a long time the white beaked `alae wouldn't share the secret of fire. Maui caught the `alae kea off guard by asking "How do you make fire?" "Rub a taro stalk and a stick together," replied the `alae kea. Maui tried it, but no fire was produced. He was very angry. He captured the bird and would not release him until he shared the secret. Before releasing the `alae, he rubbed a hard stick on its forehead leaving a red mark there. This is how people first learned to make fire.

 Another way that the `alae is important in the stories of Maui is that he attached feathers of the `alae to his mystical fishook, Manaiakalani, which he used to fish the Hawaiian islands out of the sea.