However, the lineage of Hotu Matua is open to question ... During my field work, questions about Taana yielded the following answer: Once he ruled a land called 'Hiva' or 'Ovakevake', where all spirits (akuaku) have their home.

Through the power of his mana he learned of the location of Easter Island and sent his three sons across the sea to the island. When his three sons approached the cliff 'Te Karikari' (on the outer rim of the crater Rano Kau), an evil sorcerer changed them into rocks. A jealous relative on the maternal side, 'Riu', caused this to happen. The three sons of 'Taana' became the islets Motu Nui, Motu Iti, and Motu Kaokao, which can be seen to this day.

The similarity to Ms. E is unmistakeable. The three rocky islets off the cliffs of the southwestern part of Easter Island, once closely connected with the cult of the birdman, were considered the landmark of Easter Island and were called 'the three sons of Te Taana, who are standing in the water' (ko nga kope tutuu vai a te taanga) (MS. E; TP:24; and the faulty ME:58).

If one assumes that the form handed down in the local name is the original one, 'Te Taanga', then a sound change from 'ng' to 'n' has taken place in the other sources, as in fact can sometimes be observed in modern Rapanui." (Barthel 2)