Rice — Haivaiian Legends 121 



So saying, he thanked his gods for having revealed themselves to him 

 and then quickly set to work. He gave the o-o stick to his son, telling him 

 to dig in all the fields for all the food plants. In a short time the food 

 was thrown into bundles and was covered with the koivali vine which 

 quickly tied the food into two larger bundles. Taking the anamo stick and 

 placing its ends under the bundles, the boy lifted them as easily as his 

 father had done, feeling no weight. Makua laughed with joy and said, 

 "This is the life which my gods have granted to us, in return for my 

 faith in them and care of them." 



So father and son turned towards their home. In a short time the boy 

 with his big load was far ahead of his father, who tried to overtake him, 

 but could not, and the boy reached home before Makua was half way. 



Reaching home, Makua as usual prepared his meal and also a meal for 

 his gods. Then he saw two very old men approaching and he invited them 

 to eat with him. Makua asked these men if they had any gods and they 

 replied that they had Kane-huli, or Seeking-Kane ; Kane-puaa, Hog-Kane ; 

 Hina-puku-ai, Hina-Gatherer-of-Food ; and Hina-puku-ia, Hina-Gatherer- 

 of-Fish. 



This number of gods surprised Makua and he inquired why they had 

 so many gods. The old men promised to explain after they had eaten and 

 then Makua prayed thus, "O Kane, O Kanaloa, hear. My son, my 

 guests, and I will eat bananas and sugar cane, things you like." 



"Your prayer is not right," said the old men. "We must first pray 

 correctly and then we shall eat. This food has been prepared for your 

 gods. They must first eat or some dire disaster will befall you and your 

 son. No harm will come to us as we are only strangers here." 



These words made Makua very angry because he thought that these 

 old men did not have faith in his gods, so he decided to kill them. They 

 could see what was passing in his mind, and when he tried to lay hold of 

 them, they called out, "Do not touch us, for we are old men without 

 strength who have only a few more days to live. Your gods do not like to 

 have their followers shed blood." 



Makua was filled with fear and prayed, "O Kane and Kanaloa, I have 

 sinned in thinking to break your laws. May the old men forgive me and 

 teach me to pray." 



The men forgave Makua and taught him this prayer: 



O Kane and Kanaloa, 

 Here is the awa for You, 

 Here is the sugar cane, 

 Here is the banana. 

 We shall eat and drink by Your power. 



