126 Fornander Collection of Hawaiian Folk-lore. 



CHAPTER III. 



The Proi'hhcy of the Old Woman in the Presence ok Kila and Her 

 Direction AvS to How Laamaikahiki Could be Found. 



As Kila was very anxious to find Laamaikahiki, Kuhelepolani undertook to 

 explain to hira what he should do in order to find Laamaikahiki. "In one day from 

 now you shall find Laamaikahiki in the mountain of Kapaahu. When we hear the 

 beating of the drum, Hawea, the drum which belongs to your father, Moikeha, then 

 you must take a human being and sacrifice him on the altar at Lanikeha, your father's 

 temple ; then you will be able to see your brother, for it is a sign of sacrifice when that 

 drum is beaten during the kapu nights. Tomorrow night is the night when the kapu 

 is most strict of all nights, and it has always been so from 3'our father's time." 



On the evening of the following day, or the day after the instructions were 

 given by the old woman, the notes of the drum of Laamaikahiki were heard. Upon 

 hearing the notes of the drum Kamahualele was ordered to procure a person for the 

 sacrifice and place it on the altar according to the instructions of the aged priestess. 

 During this night, at the time the notes of the drum were heard, Kuhelepolani came 

 to Kila and asked him: "Did you hear the notes of the drum? The time has come 

 when you will see your brother. You must now follow me. Wherever you see me go 

 you must follow directly behind me." 



All that night Kila followed the aged priestess, and this was continued from 

 the morning of the next day until evening, when they arrived near the place where 

 Laamaikahiki was living. Kuhelepolani then told him : "Let us remain here until 

 we again hear the notes of the drum, when you will enter into the mua,' the house 

 where the people worship. When we get to the door of the mua, then you must go 

 right in and conceal 3'ourself in one of the inside corners. You must then remain in 

 your hiding place until your brother enters the house, then be watchful ; the one who 

 approaches and strikes the drum is Laamaikahiki ; but wait until the priests get in 

 line and begin the chanting, then call him." 



After these instructions, they remained where they were until the}' heard the 

 beating of the drum. Late that evening, after the sun had set, they approached the 

 door of the mua and Kila went in and hid himself where Kuhelepolani had instructed 

 him. As soon as he entered the mua, Kuhelepolani rose and walked away from the 

 mua, as it was the law that women should keep away from such places. Women were 

 forbidden to be near the kapu houses. Not very long after Kila had entered the mua, 

 Laamaikahiki came in and went and stood near the drum, where he remained awaiting 

 for the arrival of the priests before the prayer was to be recited. Shortly after this 

 the priests who were to join in the recital of the prayer with the chief entered. As 

 soon as the priests entered, one of them offered a prayer, at the close of which they 

 made their preparation for the recital. 



' One of the structures within the liciau, or temple. 



