[22] Lono-makua, a god one of whose functions was to act as guardian of fire. When Pele and Kama-pua’a fought together and Kama-pua’a had succeeded in extinguishing the fires of Kilauea, Pele, in dismay, appealed to Lono-makua, saying, “There is no fire left.” Lono-makua calmly pointed to his armpit and said, “Here is the fire, in these fire-sticks,” (aunaki and aulima). The armpit was his place for carrying these sticks. When the Hawaiians first saw a White man with a lighted pipe in his mouth, smoke issuing therefrom, they said, “Surely, this is the great god Lono-makua; he breathes out fire.” [↑]
[23] Kane-kapolei, god of flowers and shrubs. [↑]
[24] Laka, a god, or demi-god of various functions, such as fishing, agriculture, and house-building. Malo mentions Ku-ka-ohi’a-Laka as a god invoked by canoe-makers. Laka is evidently derived from the name Rata, which in Tahiti, Raro-tonga and New Zealand is the name of the ohi’a tree. Laka is to be distinguished from Laka, the goddess of the hula. [↑]
[25] Haina-kolo, the same as Ha’i-wahine, the name used in the Hawaiian text. Ha’ina-kolo is a name that spells tragedy. She was a princess of Hawaii who married a mythical being, Ke-anini-ula-o-ka-lani and went with him to his home in the South. Being deserted by her husband, after the birth of her child she started to swim home to Hawaii. Arriving in a famished condition in Kohala, she ate of some ulei berries without first making an offering to the gods. For this offense she was afflicted with insanity, and being distraught, she wandered in the wilderness until her repentant husband sent for her and restored her by his returning love. [↑]
CHAPTER XXVI
HIIAKA CONTINUES HER PRAYERS
While Hiiaka in her ministrations did not omit anything that might aid and expedite Lohiau’s physical recovery, her chief reliance was in the spiritual aid of the gods; for which purpose prayer followed prayer like the pictures in a moving show:
He Mele Kunikuni no Lohiau
Kulia, e Uli,[1]