Artahka made them, sensed that the Toa Metru had arrived on Mata Nui, and teleported them there using his supa mind powaz.

... Or something like that.

Scratch that; evidently I was confusing those with the Kanohi Nuva. XP

I believe they were taken from Metru Nui and placed on the island by the Toa Metru.

Or what Parugi said? I dunno anymore. :|

I actually don't know.

My know-all knowledge consists of 2001-2002.

I believe the Toa Metru through. "Gee, if there are every any other Toa who come along, they could sure use some Kanohi masks. So let's hide a bunch around the island in places only a Toa can reach and make them go on a quest!"

And I believe Artahka teleported in the Kanohi Nuva, because who else would've gone around and hid a bunch of better masks?

The explanation does sort of take away from the mystique of earlier years tho.

Uh, anyone to confirm any of these as true?

The Toa Metru hid the original masks and the Nuva were teleported to the island by someone, presumably the being, but it was never declared formally.

Because, gosh, how boring would it be for us if the masks were just lying around in the Koro streets?

~EW~

I believe the Toa Metru through. "Gee, if there are every any other Toa who come along, they could sure use some Kanohi masks. So let's hide a bunch around the island in places only a Toa can reach and make them go on a quest!"

 

And I believe Artahka teleported in the Kanohi Nuva, because who else would've gone around and hid a bunch of better masks?

 

The explanation does sort of take away from the mystique of earlier years tho.

 

As a Reference Keeper, I confirm the above information to be true. There were also snippets of text that suggested that the infected Rahi had something to do with hiding the masks, though this may have only been in reference to the Noble Kanohi (since presumably the Turaga would have kept these for themselves) or perhaps Makuta had some of them steal the masks to make things harder for the Toa.

I believe the Toa Metru through. "Gee, if there are every any other Toa who come along, they could sure use some Kanohi masks. So let's hide a bunch around the island in places only a Toa can reach and make them go on a quest!"

 

And I believe Artahka teleported in the Kanohi Nuva, because who else would've gone around and hid a bunch of better masks?

 

The explanation does sort of take away from the mystique of earlier years tho.

 

As a Reference Keeper, I confirm the above information to be true. There were also snippets of text that suggested that the infected Rahi had something to do with hiding the masks, though this may have only been in reference to the Noble Kanohi (since presumably the Turaga would have kept these for themselves) or perhaps Makuta had some of them steal the masks to make things harder for the Toa.

Awesome. Thanks, SPIRIT!