Note 16 — CONTENTS. (continued 5)

The ohelo (Vaccinium reticulatum) grows at high elevations, and is familiar to volcano visitors; it produces a fleshy berry, which in ancient time was held by Hawaiians to be sacred to the fire-goddess Pele as a propitiatory offering. Queen Kapiolani, in her memorable visit to the volcano of Kilauea in 1824 to defy Pele and break down the superstition and dread of her race, among other things ate of these ohelo berries, hitherto held sacred. ↑