Rice — Haivaiian Legends 117 



It happened that a great fish had come ashore in the bay of Kahana, 

 Koolau, near the village. His body was covered with stones on which grew 

 opihi sheOs and many varieties of liiiiii. The people were walking on 

 his body. 



As Makua was working alone on his farm, two men ran to him and 

 asked, "Why do you keep on working in your garden? Do you not know 

 that a big fish has come ashore at Kahana and that all the people are 

 hurrying to see it?" 



Makua noticed that these men were carrying staffs. He inquired 

 whence they had come and how they had heard of the big fish. 



They replied that they had come from Kahana. 



Then Makua said, "You must be very spry to come so quickly such a 

 great distance. How did you know my name? You are strangers to me. 

 I have never seen you before." 



The strangers answered that the people in the village had told them 

 his name, saying that he was the only one to cultivate anything in the 

 mountains and that they were looking for azva, bananas and sugar cane, 

 for which things they were longing greatly. 



Makua said, "I have plenty of awa, bananas and sugar cane, but I have 

 planted all these things for my gods, Kane and Kanaloa." 



Hearing these words, the strangers winked at each other and asked, 

 "Have you ever seen your gods?" 



"No," replied Makua, "I have never seen them, but I am told that they 

 are very kind-hearted and full of love for anyone that worships them. 

 That is why I have chosen them for my gods and planted these things for 

 them." 



"If anyone besides your gods eats these things, what will become of 

 him?" asked the strangers. 



"No one will come and take the things I have planted for the gods. 

 It is not the right of anyone," repHed Makua. 



"But, suppose you will allow anyone to eat of the food you have 

 planted for your gods, how then can trouble be avoided?" continued the 

 strangers. 



"By praying to my gods," Makua answered. 



"How shall they pray?" inquired the strangers. 



"Thus," said Makua : 



O, Kane, O, Kanaloa, 

 Here is the taro, the banana, 

 Here the sugar-cane, the azva. 

 See, we are eating it now. 



Then the strangers laughed and said, "Such a short prayer will not 

 tire you much. It is only a few words." 



