Note 5 — PREFACE. (continued 3)

If the plates were in order and had been trimmed, a mistake might be in the position of the posts. Other faults might be found in the batten sticks if they were fastened too tightly. There might be a mistake in the side posts, or those nearer to the end posts. If, however, the bend in the crook of a side post was towards an end post, then the diviner would say: “The owner of the house will die, or his people perhaps; the ban would be partially overcome by the death of some one, and the complete renovation of the house by direction of the diviner in the order of priesthood.” Such a position of the side post was called mihiauau.5 The side post was bemoaning, just as some people would mourn on the death of the head of a household.