668 Pomander Collection of Ifa^vniiaii Polk-lore. 



CONCERNING THE TI-LEAE. 



The ti-leaf is one of the plants growing in the mountains. It grows in valleys, 

 on hills, mountain ridges and side-hills. This ti-leaf plant grows tall, but it is not large 

 round like other trees. I think the ti-leaf grows on all inhabited islands, but I am not 

 sure. Where it originated I do not know ; it may have been brought from some place, 

 or it may have been indigenous. Let us consider the uses of the ti-leaf. 



THE USES OF ITS LEAF. 



The leaf of the ti is something that alleviates the trouble of man, in that it is 

 used in the construction of houses to be occupied by man; such a house is called hnlc 

 la-i^ (ti-leaf house). Just like a chief who built a ti-leaf house for himself at Puu- 

 laina and because of the fact that la-i was used, the hill was called Puula-i,- as we 

 heard heretofore. It is also used by some people for wearing [apparel] by braiding 

 it, and, when done, wearing it. 



It is used for lau" fishing; when braided long it is used to frighten and drive 

 the fish into the net. It is used for covering the imu to retain the steam and thus 

 cook the food. It is used for covering for fish to be roasted on coals. It is used 

 for paiai^ covers. It was also used as a boat by some people in the olden time. 

 It is braided into hula skirts and used by the dancers. It is used at feasts. It is 

 vised as a broom to clean the dirt from the mat. The midrib is used for braiding 

 into hats. The leaf is made into pula-i {lai whistle) which gives forth sound when 

 blown upon. 



By the use of the pula-i were the sisters of Aiwohikupua befriended by Laie- 

 ikawai, and they lived together happily. It was the case when Malio, the sister of Ha- 

 laaniani, went to get Laielohelohe the younger sister of Laieikawai. She used the 

 pula-i when Halaaniani wished to get Laielohelohe for wife; they did not succeed in 

 their desire, however. 



The leaf of the ti is also used to drive away illness from a sick person. If the 

 sickness be [in the nature of] sores, then ti-leaf is obtained and placed on the body, so 

 the sores would not touch the mat and cause pain; if ti-leaf [is used] the sores do 

 not adhere; they are cooling; the skin is not heated. It is worn on the neck by some 

 people to prevent illness; the ti-leaf wards off and safeguards from sickness. 



THE STALK OF THE TI-LEAF PLANT. 



The stalk is used as a spear for fire-brand"' to be thrown from a height when 

 dry. The plant is propagated from this part; if a la-i fence is desired, secure some, 

 plant them around and after a while they will grow. 



'La-i is an abbreviation of two words, la for lau, leaf; *Paiai, kalo poiuulecl stiff; hard poi. 



and i {or ti or ki. the plant; hence, ti or ki-leaf. »xi,e piti,y „:„i,rc of the wood, never of large size, 



"Puula-i, ti-leaf hill. rendered it liglu when dry. These stalks were called 



'Lau fishing is with large joined nets to tlic top of miki. 

 which are affixed bunches of ti-leaf to frighten and con- 

 line the fish. 



