XXVL— THK HULA KUI MOLOKAI 



The liiila h-t('i Molokai was a variety of the Hawaiian dance that 

 originated on the ishmd of Molokai, probably at a later period than 

 wliat one would call the classic times. Its performance extended to 

 the other islands. The author has information of its exhibition on 

 the island of its name as late as the last quarter of the nineteenth 

 century. The actors, as they might be called, in this hula were 

 arranged in pairs who faced each other and went through motions 

 similar to those of boxing. This action, l-iri. to smite, gave the name 

 to the performance. The limiting Avord JNIolokai Avas added to dis- 

 tinguish it from another still more modern form of dance called 

 /.'M'^, which will be described later. 



^Vhile the performers stood and went through with their motions, 

 marching and countermarching, as they are said to have done, they 

 chanted or recited in recitative some song, of which the following 

 is an example. This they did with no instrumental accompaniment : 



Melc 



Ho ala kai ololiia." 

 He liiwaliiwa iiu ka la'i luahiiie. 

 He me' aloha ua'u ka makani haiiiii-loli.'' 

 E nwe ana i ke kai pale iliabi. 

 r> Kauwa ke aluba i iia lebua u Kaaiia.'' 

 Pomaikai an i kon aloha e nolio nci : 

 Ka halnkn wale no ia a ka wainiaka. 

 Me he makauiaka pnka a la 

 Ke aloha 1 ke kanaka, 

 in K ho-iloli nei i ku'n nnl kino. 

 Mahea hoi an, a V 

 Ma ko oe alo no. 



" Kci oJohia. A calm and tranquil sea. This expression has gained a poetic vosue tliat 

 almost makes it pass c\irrent as a single word, meaning trangiiillity. calmness of mind. 

 .\s thus explained, it is here translated hy the expression " hearfs-ease." 



" Mdkani hanai-loli. A wind so gentle as not to prevent the heche de mpr (luli). sea- 

 iuiemones, and other marine slugs from coming out of their holes to feed. A similar 

 ligure is used in the next line in the expression kai pair iUahi. The thought is that the 

 calmness of the ocean invites one to strip and plunge in foi- a bath. 



"" Kauiid kr aloha i iia hJiiia o Kaaiia. Kaana is said to be a hill on the road from 

 Keaau to Olaa. a spot where travelers were wont to rest and where they not infrequently 

 made up wreath.s of the scarlet lehua bloom which there abounded. It took a large num- 

 ber of lehua flowers to suffice for a wreath, and to bind them securely to the fillet that 

 made them a garland was .i work demanding not only artistic skill but time and patience. 

 If a weary traveler, halting at Kaana, employed his lime of rest in plaiting flowers into 

 a wreath for some loved one. there would be truth us well as poetrj' iu the saying, " Love 

 slaves for the lebuas of Kaana," 



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