Note 2 — Introductory material (continued 2)
Reading edition
At the death of Keahaikiaholeha, his body was brought back to Kuukuua, Waianae, where it was placed in a tomb.2 The parents then proceeded to worship the spirit, as was the custom in those days of Hawaii, until it became so strong that it could go about in the form of a live person. After the spirit of Keahaikiaholeha had waxed strong, it returned to Waimea, Kauai, and again took his former wife and lived with her as her husband. The wife was not aware that this was her husband’s spirit, fully believing that it was her husband in real flesh. It was while in this spirit form, that he was named Nihooleki. All he did during the day time was to sleep, not even taking food; the wife being the only one that took food. When the wife got hungry she would go to her brothers for food and meat. On one of her calls for food and meat the brothers asked her: “Where is your husband?” The sister replied: “He is at home asleep.” “You have a queer husband. All he does is to sleep at home. How is he to satisfy his wife’s hunger? Except we help you, you will not be able to live.” While this conversation was going on between them, the husband heard all that was being said and when the wife arrived home Nihooleki asked his wife: “Have your brothers any mother-of-pearl fish-hooks?” “They have some.” “Go and bring one.” When the sister arrived at her brothers’ they asked her: “What have you come for?” “I have come for a mother-of-pearl fish-hook for your brother-in-law.” “That is right, that will get you something to live on. Here is a hook for the use of which we will charge ten aku. Here is another one for twenty aku,” etc. The wife took one of the hooks and returned. When she entered the house and approached where her husband was sleeping she called out: