Note 2 — Introductory material (continued 4)

After Hikapoloa had been home for some time he gave orders that the canoes be made ready to go out fishing for aku. When the canoes were ready they started out and upon coming to the aku grounds he took up the fish-hook and held it in his hand, thinking that the aku would jump into the canoe of their own accord. He held the hook this way all day until the paddlers were stiff with cold, but no aku was caught. Upon failing to get any aku he took it as sufficient cause for the death of his brothers-in-law. When they arrived home, Hikapoloa did not tell his wife of his plans to kill his brothers-in-law; but he told the watchman2 at Kukuipahu, the place where the canoes from Kona generally make their landing, saying: “In case my brothers-in-law from Kona should arrive, don’t give them any food; tell them they can get their food up at Hikapoloa’s place.” Hikapoloa then prepared firewood and the umu,3 and then selected a guard for the door who was already armed with a stone axe and instructed him that when any head should enter the door to cut it off.