Note 256 — CONTENTS. (continued 5)

The root was used a great deal by the Hawaiians for cooking in the imu (underground oven). After two or three days it would be cooked, then it was used as food during times of plenty and during famine; but it was used mostly during times of famine. Again it was used for simply eating; and then again it was made into a liquor called okolehao,256 a drink for men, women and children; that was one cause of famine when time was taken up with those kinds of pleasure. This same root was used for oil to keep the hair together so that it would not be blown by the wind. It is called ki.