68o Pomander Collection of Hawaiian Folk-lore. 



CULTIVATION OF TARO; ANCIENT AND MODERN. 



The subject of this paper assigned us at this time is in reference to the method 

 of planting- taro at the time of our forefatliers, and the planting of the present time, 

 and everything pertaining to their method of cultivation. According to my own knowl- 

 edge, as also from my inquiries of an experienced cultivator, there were only two 

 methods of cultivating taro in the olden time: First, the cultivating of dry-land is 

 distinct: Second, the cultivating of wet-land, which is different. 



But we must take the first division and consider it, and I will give its account 

 as far as possible, aided by what this expert has said ; that is, for the dry-land culti- 

 vation and implements used by the people of that time. 



It is said that in the olden time they had no oo, no axe or other implement fit to 

 do their work with, but they went in search and found sharp-edged stones, called pa- 

 hoa} and with these sharp-edged stones they went into the woods and cut material for 

 oo's for themselves. These are the woods that are fit to be made into oos : the inaniane, 

 the ohia, the wind-swept aalii, and other hardwood trees. Before they shaped them 

 into oos this is what they first did: They called on the "hewing" deities, because if 

 they did not first invoke the gods before they shaped their oos, then their implements 

 would all be broken ; therefore they in\'oked the gods of the mountain, calling on them 

 thus : 



"Kumokuhalii, Kupulupulu, Kualanawao, Kupaikee, cut the trunk, cut the ka- 

 laan;'- cut the branches, observe and see the shaping of the oo; the oo is made of the 

 aalii. ^ I cultivate the kula land; the yam is the food, dry-taro is the food and all other 

 food plants suitable for planting on dry land." 



On commencing the cultivation the men first burn off a large field selected for the 

 purpose, then clear it nicely, throwing the stones aside till the field is in good condition. 

 Then the planter awaits the fall of the first shower of rain. At the fall of the first 

 shower the spirit of the planter is gladdened, the eyes are gratified; he then waits for 

 one more shower that his field may be thoroughly soaked. When the second rain 

 comes on the evening of that day, the planter goes in search of taro-tops* (huli). 

 These are the kinds of seed chosen, which are planted in dry land: i, clepaio, a species 

 of taro with spotted leaves; 2, apnzvaipiialii: 3, Ichiia-ku-i-ka-ivao : 4, kuniii; 5, iiia- 

 iiini and ape. Tic the seed plants into a bundle, and on the morning of the next day 

 proceed to the prepared field ; dig as many holes therein and plant out the taro-tops 

 selected ; when the field is planted then the farmer watches the field for the growth of 

 weeds, and at their appearance he takes his wooden 00 and clears the growing weeds 

 or grass. This method of cultivation is called "oloolohio." This work must be done 

 regularly until the young leaves of the seed-plant make their appearance; sometimes 

 three or four leaves are seen, then the planter separates the planted taro-tops (hulis), 

 because if they are not separated and the soil pressed down firmly, it was said by the 



'Pahoa is the name of the instrument rather than the 'Aalii (Dodonaca viscosa), a common hardwood tree, 



stone. The same name is given to a weapon of wood, tliough not of large size, 



as also stone, wliicli is described as a short sword. 'h,,];, jirc the taro-tops cnt off with a tliin slice or 



'Kalaaii, the tree. shoulder of the tuber for its propagation as seed. 



