[43] Kahuna i ka, puoko o ke ahi. The word Kahuna is used here where the word akua or kupua would seem to have served the purpose of the meaning, which, as I take it, is the spirit, or genius, of flame.
[44] I'imi, derived seemingly from imi, to seek.
[45] Lalama, derived seemingly from lala, a branch; or possibly, from lama, a flambeau.
[46] Kane-hekili. Thunder is always spoken of as under the control of god Kane.
[47] Ka-ulua, the name of one of the months in the cool season of the year; one can not say positively which month is intended, for the reason that the nomenclature varied greatly in the different islands, and varied even on the same island.
[48] Kumu-kahi, the name of a hill in Puna on the easternmost cape of Hawaii; also the name of a monolith once set up there; in this connection the name of the female kupua who acted as keeper of the Sun's eastern gate. This name is almost always coupled with that of ...
[49] Ha'eha'e, of whom the same account can be given as above.
[50] Kapo-ula-Kina'u, one of the family. The epithet ula-kina'u is used in allusion to the fact that her attire, red in color, is picked out with black spots. The name Kapo alone is the one by which she is usually known.
[51] The awa papa had a small root, but it was of superior quality.
[52] Moe-ha-una-iki, literally, the sleep with a gentle snore--such sleep as follows the use of awa. The poet personifies this sleep. To such lengths does the Hawaiian poetic imagination go.
[53] Pahu kapu a ka leo. One--who ought to know--tells me this means the ear; as if the ear were the drum on which the voice played.
[54] Ho'okiki kanawai, to enforce, to carry out the law.
[55] He kua a kanawai. It was said of Pele that her back was hot like fire, and that a bundle of taro leaves laid thereon was cooked and turned into luau. It was an offense punishable by death for any one to stand at her back or to approach her by that way.
[56] He kai oki'a kanawai, literally, an ocean that separates. Exclusiveness, to live apart, was the rule of Pele's life. This principle is enforced with further illustration in the next line:--
[57] He ala muku no Kane me Kanaloa. Even to the great gods Kane and Kanaloa the path of approach to Pele was cut off by the edict, thus far shalt thou come and no further.