Note 83 — PREFACE. (continued 5)

A feather idol83 was the deity of the high priests who conducted the services. The image must be well taken care of. It was an idol with feathers braided around its head, and the priest depended upon it for the success of his calling. If his deity was forgotten84 where the services were held the result would be an overthrow. Under a similar circumstance Hewahewa85 prophesied the overthrow of the government of these islands, in the following manner: Maliu was a priest who, at one time, conducted a palm (loulu) temple service called Hulahula86. At the conclusion of the services that night Maliu walked out of the temple, and when he was a few fathoms distant therefrom his companion asked him of the image. Maliu replied that he had forgotten and left it.