i86 Poiiiainlcr Collection of IlaK'aiiaii Folk-lore. 



plied: "We have come for house timbers for our young- chiefess, who is dead." "What 

 is licr name?" "KaweUi." 



The men then returned; while Hiku, who was lying down, rose and came to ask 

 his parents, saying: "What were you talking about out there with those men?" "Ka- 

 welu is dead, and they came up here for timbers to build a house in which to place her 

 dead body. That is what the men said." When Hiku heard this he wept sorely, for he 

 loved Kawelu. After a while Hiku asked his ]iarents if he could go and get Kawelu; 

 the parents replied: "Go to the priest and tell him your wish." Hiku then rose and 

 went to the priest and told him of his intention of going in search of Kawelu. To this 

 the ])riest replied: "Go and get much kowali vine, then go out to mid-ocean and let 

 down one end of the vine into the sea, for your wife is now in the ])ossession of Milu. 

 ]t is possible the spirits may all have a desire to take a ride on the swing, then you will 

 be able to get Kawelu; but you must first rub yourself all over with old decayed kukui 

 nut.'""' 



Hiku did as he was instructed by the priest, and after collecting All the kowali 

 vines he could get, he took a double canoe and paddled out to mid-ocean; he then low- 

 ered one of the kowali vines into the sea, and taking another vine he lowered himself 

 down. Just as he was going over the side of the canoe he told the men: "When you 

 feel a jerky motion, haul up the vine." Hiku then lowered himself down and when 

 he reached the lower world he began to swing himself on his vine." When the people 

 of the lower world saw Hiku swinging himself back and forth, they all wanted to have 

 a ride. Kawelu was by the side of Milu. The spirits then called out: "Say, you ill- 

 smelling spirit," but Hiku paid them no attention. The spirits were all anxious for a 

 ride on the swing and were also taken with the chant Hiku was singing: 



I have a swing'. 



While the rest of you cliildrcn have none ; 



When you fall, it is only to sit on your liehind. 



By these actions of Hiku they all jumped on the vine and began swinging back 

 and forth. Milu could not keep himself away, so he too took a ride, leaving Kawelu 

 all by herself. Hiku on seeing this invited Kawelu saying: "Here is our swing, come 

 and ride with me." "I will not ride with you for you smell bad." Hiku replied: "I 

 will cover myself over with my mantle and you can sit on me." At this Kawelu con- 

 sented and she jumped and sat on Hiku, and they began to swing back and forth. 

 While Kawelu was enjoying herself, Hiku pulled on the vine, so those on the canoe be- 

 gan to haul it up. Just as they were about to reach the surface Hiku held on to Ka- 

 welu very tightly and held her so until they got into the canoe, and from there on to 

 the house. 



When they reached the house where the dead body of Kawelu was lying, Hiku 

 pushed the spirit of Kawelu into the body from the feet. After the spirit had gone as 

 far as the knees, it came back as it was afraid of the body for it was decaying. Hiku, 



'To produce the corpse-like odor. crosspicce for a seat, not the loop swing of modern 



'The Hawaiian swing, as tliroughout Polynesia, was introduction. 



a single rope, or vine cord, on which was affixed the 



