VII.—WORSHIP AT THE ALTAR OF THE HALAU
The first duty of a visitor on being admitted to the halau while the tabu was on—that is, during the conduct of a regular hula—was to do reverence at the kuahu. The obligations of religion took precedence of all social etiquette. He reverently approaches the altar, to which all eyes are turned, and with outstretched hands pours out a supplication that breathes the aroma of ancient prayer:
Pule Kuahu (no Laka)
O Laka oe,
O ke akua i ke a’a-lii [64] nui.
E Laka mai uka!
E Laka mai kai!
O hoo-ulu [65] o Lono,
O ka ilio nana e haehae ke aha,
O ka ie-le ku i ka wao,