182 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 76 



hillside to form a level area, the lower margin of which is supported 

 by a high wall of heavy stones. Near the platforms, on the steep 

 slope, is a sj)ace of a fourth of an acre surrounded by a stone wall ; 

 and a row of stones marks and preserves a trail or path from them 

 to the bottom of the ravine, terminating at what seems' to be a small 

 reservoir surrounded by stones and earth, with a dam above and to 

 one side of it to shut out storm water. 



One hundred and fifty yards up the ravine from the dance plat- 

 forms are two large artificial depressions in weathered bowlders. 

 They have the appearance of mortars or nut-crushing holes, but are 

 supposed to be for catching water during rains, as it is known that 

 the natives made these miniature reservoirs or catch basins, the 

 water being dipped out into vessels as it accumulated. 



HAWAII ISLAND 



There are reports of former heiaus, house sites, etc., in and around 

 Hilo, and there are numerous so-called " caves," many of which were 

 used by the earlier natives as receptacles for their dead. The term 

 " cave " is not to be taken in its usual meaning of a cavity due to 

 erosion by water, or the small recesses due to wind scouring. In 

 the Hawaiian Islands it means a tube or tunnel ; a hollow space due 

 to gas expansion ; or a hole formed by gas or steam expansion or ex- 

 plosion in the lava while it is still soft or flowing ; and which is now 

 accessible where the top has fallen in or where it has reached the face 

 of a cliff. These still exist practically as they were at the time of their 

 formation. 



Of remains upon the surface, the clearing-up processes necessary 

 for cultivation, and the improvements in and around the towns and 

 villages, have either entirely destroyed them or so defaced them 

 that they are now only shapeless ruins. Most or all of the near-by 

 caves are in lava flows of comparatively recent origin and no reports 

 of interments in them could be definitely verified. Human bones 

 were found in three caves near Olaa, 10 miles from Hilo, but no objects 

 of any sort were with them. The condition of the bones showed they 

 had not been long deposited ; in fact, with one skeleton were hobnailed 

 leather shoes, with the bones of the feet still in them. 



Three skeletons were discovered in a small cave near the dock in 

 making an excavation for a railway cut. . An old man living in the 

 vicinity protested vigorously against any disturbance of them, say- 

 ing they had been his friends and he had helped bury them. In 

 deference to his sentiment the line of the track was deflected so as 

 not to disturb the spot. 



Nearly all of the bones mentioned above were soft and decayed, 

 owing to the water which had ' percolated through the roof and 

 dripped on them. 



