She was thought to reside on Mauna Kea, which if measured from the seafloor is the world's tallest mountain.
One day, while hōlua sledding with mortals, Poliʻahu was joined by a beautiful stranger who challenged her.
On the third run, the stranger tried to prevent Poliʻahu from winning by opening lava streams in front of her, revealing herself as the volcano goddess Pele.
Once she regained her composure, Poliʻahu threw snow at the lava and froze it, confining it to the island's Southern end.
To this day, Pele is said to rule Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, but must submit to Poliʻahu on the northern end of the island.