Pele and Hiiaka: A Myth From Hawaii

13Omaka, a quiet, silent, place in the wilderness suitable for prayer. ↑

14Kana, another form of kena, enough. ↑

15Wai, the awa cup. ↑

16Ka-hoalii, one of the gods who came with Pele from Kahiki. ↑

17Piko. The operation of trimming the thatch over the door of a house was a ceremonious operation and was termed oki ka piko. No one would think of sitting in the doorway or of standing on the door sill; it was sacred to Ka-hoalii (mentioned in the 14th line.) ↑

18Uli, the arch-goddess of sorcery and anaana (praying to death). It seems to be implied that she has healing power as well as power to kill. Or, it may be, she is invoked, retained, to keep her from enlisting on the side of the opposition. ↑

19Ilio-uli o ka lani, the slaty-blue clouds, here appealed to as kupua, beings possessed of power for good or ill. ↑

20Ilio-mea, a white cloud (cumulus). ↑

21Ilio-ehu, a cloud having a ruddy tint from the light of the sun. ↑

22Ku-ke-ao-iki, clouds broken up into small fragments, like our mackerel sky. ↑

23Ku-ke-ao-loa, the long stratus clouds, here represented as an embodiment of Ku. ↑

24Ku-ke-ao-poko, a small compact cloud standing detached from its fellows. ↑

25Ku-ke-ao-awihiwihi-ula, a ruddy cloud, ragged at its border. ↑

26Kanaka o ka mauna, probably the Kini Akua, the host of elfins, kobolds and brownies—godlings—that peopled the wilderness. ↑

27Hoa hele o ka ulu-laau, an apposition clause that explains the previous appellations. ↑

28Na Keo-lani, goddesses of healing. ↑

29Maka’a-pule, a term applied to an ohi’a fruit (mountain apple) when so ripe that its seed rattled within the drupe. It was then in the finest condition for eating. ↑

30Ku-haili-moe, the same god as Ku-haili-moku, who bedecked the land with greenery, a god also worshipped by the canoe-makers. ↑

31Ha’iha’i-lau-ahea, said to be the same as Ha’ina-kolo. ↑

32Wahine i kapa ku, the woman who stood in the outskirts of the assembly. ↑

33Uhau, to lay down or offer a prayer, as, e.g., uhau i ka pule. The offering of the prayer is considered as a physical act, the same as laying down a pig or a fish on the altar of the god. ↑

34Paeaea, a fishing rod; the act of fishing. Hiiaka is represented as fishing for a favor. ↑

35Laka, a god, or demi-god, of various functions, including fishing, agriculture and a participation in house-building. He was also one of the gods invoked by canoe-builders. The name is evidently the same as Rata, the appellation, in Tahiti, Raro-tonga and New Zealand, of the lehua (Metrosideros lutea). N.B. This Laka is to be carefully distinguished from the female Laka, the goddess and patron of the hula as well as necromancy. ↑