Naue’s palms then drink in the salt.
From Naue the palm, from Puna the woman—
Aye, from the pit, Kilauea.
Tradition tells a pathetic story (p. 212) in narrating an incident touching the occasion on which this song first was sung.
Footnote 125:[ (return) ] Wahine. The woman, Pele.
IX.—THE HULA ALA’A-PAPA
Every formal hula was regarded by the people of the olden time as a sacred and religious performance (tabu); but all hulas were not held to be of equal dignity and rank (hanohano). Among those deemed to be of the noblest rank and honor was the ala’a-papa. In its best days this was a stately and dignified performance, comparable to the old-fashioned courtly minuet.