Note 6 — PREFACE. (continued 5)
Reading edition
The men then returned; while Hiku, who was lying down, rose and came to ask his parents, saying: “What were you talking about out there with those men?” “Kawelu is dead, and they came up here for timbers to build a house in which to place her dead body. That is what the men said.” When Hiku heard this he wept sorely, for he loved Kawelu. After a while Hiku asked his parents if he could go and get Kawelu; the parents replied: “Go to the priest and tell him your wish.” Hiku then rose and went to the priest and told him of his intention of going in search of Kawelu. To this the priest replied: “Go and get much kowali vine, then go out to mid-ocean and let down one end of the vine into the sea, for your wife is now in the possession of Milu. It is possible the spirits may all have a desire to take a ride on the swing, then you will be able to get Kawelu; but you must first rub yourself all over with old decayed kukui nut.”6