62S Poniaudcr Collection of Hawaiian Folk-lore. 



if it is matured it would be brittle and become reddish in ajjpearance. For the mako- 

 loa mat, a lot of makoloa rush is cut or ])ulled up and dried. 



BRAIDING. 



The makalii mat is braided thus: rend into narrow strips [the lauhalaj ac- 

 cording to the size [of the strand] wanted by the one preparing the mat, then the same 

 is braided on a board. This is what I have seen as I remember it. The makoloa mat 

 is braided, but not on a board. When you lie on it, it is smooth. I know nothing 

 about the lauhala mat. The akaakai (rush) mat is braided like the lauhala. It is 

 cold when you first lie on it; it takes some time to warm it up. The alolua mat: in 

 the braiding of this two lauhala strands are placed back to back and are braided in 

 that way. Any kind of lauhala would do for this, old lauhala or young lauhala. The 

 puahala mat has a foundation like the flower of the hala (i)andanus) when cut; it has 

 serrated edges. Any kind of lauhala will do. 1 know nothing about the makanui 

 mat. The pakea mat : T am a little doubtful about this mat, but this is the explana- 

 tion offered by some: the ])akea mat is a mat made of the midrib of the lauhala; after 

 the leafy parts are separated from it, this part is taken and braided into a mat. Some 

 say that it is a makoloa mat, and is the whitest mat, not a spot either red or black or 

 other color could be seen on it. The pueo mat is a mat which has large braids. I 

 have not seen that mat. I have not seen the launiu mat, either, nor the hiialo mat. It 

 is said that the kunmkolu has three layers at the starting point, and the kumulua has 

 two; but I do not know what is meant by that. The palau is an old and worn mat, 

 generally small, used for sitting by fireplaces, and used on the veranda outside or in- 

 side the doorway. The palau and the aneenee are the same thing. The pawehe mat 

 is a makoloa mat. I do not know how it is made; no exjilanation has been given. 



WHERE MATS ARE FAMOUS. 



In the olden time Niihau was famous for the pawehe mat, and even to these days. 

 Puna is noted for the makalii mat ( small-stranded ) ; that land is also noted for the fact 

 that it is permeated with the fragrance of the Iiinano; that is what caused Hawaii to be 

 famous. Maui is noted for the puahala mat. so let us not seriously consider Maui. 

 What mat Molokai is famous for I do not know. It is only noted for kii'i laau: "Ca- 

 noe-poling Molokai, long may you live!" Oahu's famous mat I do not know either; 

 Oahu is famous for being the center of the seas : "Excelling is Oahu, long mav vou 

 live!" Kauai's famous mat is mixed up with Niihau's: "Broad-chested Kauai, long 

 may you live!" 



This is what has been learned from investigating and incjuiring among friends. 

 But this is better than nothing, because we are satisfied ; for when we look ahead the 

 way is long. 



G. S. Ka II ANA I. 



