Note 38 — PREFACE. (continued 2)

And when the new month, Ikuwa (September) by name, commenced, the king placed a signal in front of the temple showing that the old year had passed and a new one had commenced. This was done on the night of Hilo38 (the first night of the new moon), the king and all the people and all the priests assembling this evening on the outside of the temple, the people being arranged in two rows. A priest stood up with a bunch of ieie ferns in his hand, and then they all joined in prayer: Then the priest said, “My brothers, it is well; we are safe.” Then they all stood up from front to rear, with loud rejoicings. After this the priest with the idols went to a court yard of the temple, where they murmured in prayer. This prayer was called kauo39 After this they all went to their respective houses, resting through the night. At daylight they left their houses and came and prostrated themselves outside of the temple; the king, the priests and all the people. The people were arranged in four rows, the feather deities being also arranged in rows. The high priest then arose, wearing a white sash around his waist, and holding a bunch of ieie ferns in his hand; and after making some incantations he offered a prayer to the deity. After this invocation many priests arose praying and moving in a circle around the deities. The alaea priest then arose to offer his petition, after which the people arose from front to rear, all entering the temple, where they prayed before the idols.