lea.
5 Kolea, Kolea,
Fetch me some dew,
Dew from pink akolea.

This little piece of rustic imagination is said to have been
used in the hula, but in connection with what dance the
author has not been able to learn.

[Footnote 255: The _akolea_ is a fern (by some classed as a
Polypodium) which, according to Doctor Hillebrand (Flora of
the Hawaiian Islands), "sustains its extraordinary length by
the circinnate tips which twine round the branches of
neighboring shrubs or trees."]

[Footnote 256: _Kolea_. The red-breasted plover.]
[Page 122]

XVII.--THE HULA KA-EKE-EKE

The _kaekeeke_ was a formal hula worthy of high
consideration. Some authorities assert that the performers in
this dance were chosen from the hoopaa alone, who, it will be
remembered, maintained the kneeling position, while,
according to another authority, the olapa also took part in
it. There is no reason for doubting the sincerity of both
these witnesses. The disagreement probably arose from hasty
generalization. One is reminded of the wise Hawaiian saw,
already noted, "Do not think that your halau holds all the
knowledge."

This hula took its name from the simple instrument that
formed its musical accompaniment. This consisted of a single
division of the long-jointed bamboo indigenous to Hawaii,
which was left open at one end. (The varieties of bamboo
imported from China or the East Indies have shorter joints
and thicker walls, and will not answer the purpose, being not
sufficiently resonant.) The joints used in the kaekeeke were
of different sizes and lengths, thus producing tones of
various pitch. The performer held one in each hand and the
tone was elicited by striking the base of the cylinder
sharply against the floor or some firm, nonresonant body.

On making actual trial of the kaekeeke, in order to prove by
experience its musical quality and capabilities, the writer's
pleasure was as great as his surprise when he found it
capable of producing musical tones of great purity and of the