[233] Paiea, a species of crab that resembles the a'ama. The background color of the paiea is black; this is strewn with spots and markings of dark red, producing a highly artistic effect. The specimen I examined was found in the Honolulu fish market and came from Kona, Hawaii. In spite of mutilation, it still retained a formidable claw.
[234] Maunu paiea. The Hawaiian fisherman often prepared his bait by chewing it fine, after which he blew it into the water to attract the fish. The poet finds a parallel between this action of the fisherman and the discharge of venomous words by an angered person.
[235] Nie, an elided form of niele, to question.
[238] Kukuau, a hairy, spotted crab, said to be poisonous.
[239] Hinalea, a name applied to fish of several different species, among which one that is rare is the Hinalea akilolo (Macropharyngodon geoffroy, Quoy and Gaimard). Another less rare, though beautiful, species is the Hinalea i'iwi (Gomphosus tricolor, Quoy and Gaimard).
[241] Hihi-wai, a bivalve shell that is found clinging to rocks or reeds in fresh or brackish water streams. Its dorsum is jetty black, its front white, shading into yellow.
[242] Loli-pua, loli-koko and loli-ka'e, different species of holothuriae, or sea-slugs, some of which are esteemed as food by the Hawaiians. They were, nevertheless, looked upon as kupua.
[243] Lelea, a marine creature that is said to be slimy and adheres to the rocks.
[244] Kahi-kona, said to be a god of the fishermen.
[245] Leo hokiki, an imperfect tone caused by a torn drumhead.
[246] Kua a. The penalty of approaching Pele from behind was death: she is said to have had a consuming back.
[248] Ala muku, the rainbow. (For further comments on these difficult passages, see notes 11, 12, and 13, on page 114.)
[249] Ho'o-nou o ka lani. This must be Pele. The word ho-onou is used of a person striving to accomplish some physical task, as of a woman straining in labor.
[250] Ku-walu, literally, eighth in order of succession.
[251] Ulu-po, said to be the name of a heiau at Kailua, Oahu.
[252] Iku-wa, the name of a month in the Hawaiian year, corresponding, according to one account, pretty closely to October; according to another nomenclature it corresponds pretty nearly to our April. The name etymologically connoted thunder and reverberations.