erotic meaning, may
perhaps be inferred from its literal rendering in the
translation. It requires a tropical imagination to follow a
Hawaiian poem.]

[Footnote 503: _Poli-ahu_. A place or region on Mauna-kea.]

[Footnote 504: _Kiu-ke'e_. The name of a wind felt at
Nawiliwili, Kauai. The local names for winds differed on the
various islands and were multiplied almost without measure:
as given in the mythical story of Kama-pua'a, or in the
semihistoric tale of Ku-a-Paka'a, they taxed the memories of
raconteurs.]

[Footnote 505: _Kui-kui._ The older name-form of the tree
(Aleurites triloba), popularly known by some as the
candle-nut tree, from the fact that its oily nuts were used
in making torches. _Kukui_, or _tutui_, is the name now
applied to the tree, also to a torch or lamp. The Samoan
language still retains the archaic name _tuitui_. This is one
of the few instances in which the original etymology of a
word is retained in Hawaiian poetry.]

[Translation]

_Song_

How pleasing, when borne by the tide,
One says, you and I are a-cold.
The buds of the center are chilled
Of the woman who shivers on shore.
5 I stood on the height Poli-ahu;
The ocean enrobed Wai-lua.
Ah, strange are the pranks of the wind,
The Kiu-ke'e wind of the pali!
It smites now the ocean at Puna--
10 That's always the fashion at Puna.
Gone, gone is the last of my love,
At this mixture of brine in my drink!
My mouth is a-thirst for a draught
Of the cold mountain-water,
15 That plays at the foot of the cliff,
In the shade of the kui-kui tree.
I thought our love-flower, ilima--
Oft worn as a garland by you--
Still held its color most true.
20 You'd exchange its beauty for rue!

_Mele_

Kaulana mai nei Pua Lanakila;
Olali oe o ke aupuni hui,
Nana i koke aku ke kahua,
Na ale o ka Pakipika.
5 Lilo i mea ole n