594 Poniaudcr Collection of Hazvaiiati Folk-lore. 



coconuts were first planted, and after that they were taken and planted in other parts 

 of Hawaii nei. Some people think that is how the coconut was brought here to Hawaii, 

 either by the action of the sea or introduced by Apua and Aukelenuiaiku. 



Next, let us consider the value of the trunk of the coconut tree, the fruit, the 

 husk, the shell, the meat, the leaves and their midrib. T. The value of the trunk of 

 the coconut tree in the olden time. The trunk of the coconut tree was made into a 

 dancing drum' in the olden time; it is said that that kind of a drum excelled in sound. 

 To prepare it, it was hewn to perfection.* The f upper] end was covered over with 

 the skin of the kala, or the shark. It was generally very well prepared. 



Another value: It was used for house building. It was used for the houses of 

 chiefs in the olden times, and often helped in the construction of large houses of the 

 l)eople and the chiefs. They were used for door posts, posts for the gates of pens con- 

 fining animals, hat blocks for the women, even to this time. They are also used for 

 a bowl in which to pound noni, hili, coffee, etc. 



This tree is large and tall, though some are short. Its leaves are unlike those 

 of other trees growing here. The leaves grow in a bunch in one place ; their narrow 

 lanceolate segments project in parallel lines. The fruit comes out of the body, sprout- 

 ing out amid the hollow of the leaves. When the fruits first come out they can not be 

 detected, for they are [encased | in wrappers; when the wrappers are broken through, 

 then [the cluster of flowers] would be seen. When the flowers fall ofif, then the fruit 

 fin a cluster] would be noticed hanging down. Its meat is very palatable. 



Characteristic of the fruit: the fruit is somewhat round, but not round as is 

 the uliuliu gourd, but somewhat ovoid with the lower part flattened. That is its ap- 

 pearance. Its meat is inside; when you ha\'e i)eeled off the husk, and broken the shell, 

 then you come to the meat. It is as white as the snow on the mountain. Inside of the 

 meat is a pool of water. It [the coconut] has three eyes," two of which are blind, and 

 one through which the water comes out. 



2. Let us consider the value of the husk. The husk was made into twine in 

 olden time. Two kinds of twine*" were made in those days ; a twine plaited flat, and a 

 twine regularly twisted. The twine plaited flat was used for tying parts of canoes, 

 for pahee cords and various other uses. If it is sold, one can make money, say five 

 dollars for forty fathoms." 



The twine regularly twisted. This was used for making netting for calabashes, 

 and for fishing lines. There were many kinds of network of strings made in the olden 

 times for the chiefs, and so forth ; but if the calabash netting were to be sold for 

 money, one, two, three or four dollars could be secured for each calabash netting. How 

 valuable! Another thing: door mats for wooden houses of the white men were made 

 of husks. That is the value of the husk. 



'An introduction credited to La;ininikaliiki from Ta- emitting sound, and means of stretching the fish-skin 



hiti. drumhead. 



'These drums were hollowed sections of a coconut "These three "eyes" of a coconut give it the semhlancc 



tree or log, over the top end of which was drawn the of a monkey face. Tt is the lower eye that can lie 



shark, or kala skin, for sound hy tapping with the pierced to extract its fluid. 



fingers, not heaten with sticks. These were of various '»As twine or cord this is the material furnishing the 



sizes for use in sitting, kneeling, or standing position, durable, springy coir cordage of commerce, 



the drums standing upright, with perforations arouiul ,,,,, jj,;^ ^^'^ j,^^ following paragraphs the writer 



the lower half which serve.l the double purpose of ^^ows a leaning to high market values. 



