Note 15 — PREFACE.

After the king and the priest had come to a decision, and the day for the dedication of the temple was near, the king spoke to the kahalaalaea priest, saying: “Be prepared to go into sanctity, with your ordinances and your methods, and if it is favorable let me know.” The kahalaalaea priest went into sanctity on the night of Kane,15 preparing and praying throughout the night; and in the morning, the day of Lono, there stood the basin of colored earth, necessary for the priest’s duties; these were the essentials of the temple. And on the next day, that of Mauli, the king and a multitude of men came to hear the words of the kahalaalaea priest. The priest then performed the duties of his office. A certain man placed on his (the man’s) head a covering of ancient human hair, a custom of his ancestors which was transmitted to him, and a duty also belonging to the temple, the priest praying meanwhile. The king reached the alaea image where the basin of colored earth stood before the priest, this being the deity with a white covering to make its impressiveness as a god more effective.