CHAPTER VIII
THE GIRL PA-PULEHU—THE FEAST
In the morning while it was still dark, they roused and started afresh. Their way led through lehua groves of the most luxuriant growth, the bloom of which crimsons the landscape to this day, exuding a honey that is most attractive to the birds of heaven. The cool still air wafted to their ears the hum of voices which was soon explained when they came upon a bevy of girls who were busily plucking the bright flowers to string into wreaths and garlands, in anticipation of some entertainment. This rural scene made an appeal to the poet in Hiiaka which she could not resist:
Ala i ka wa po iki,
I ka lehua lei o Hilo, o Hi-lo;
E pauku ana no ka hala me ka lehua.
Maikai Hilo, o Hilo-hana-kahi!
TRANSLATION
The Hilo of Hana-kahi—
They rise in the early morning
To weave fresh wreaths of lehua,
Inbeading its bloom with hala—
Gay Hilo of Hana-kahi!
At sight of Hiiaka's party, the lively flower-girls made a rush, as if to capture and appropriate their friendly acquaintance for individual possession. The most vivacious and forward of the whole party was Pa-pulehu, their leader, a buxom young woman, of good family, who at once took possession of Hiiaka for herself, crowned and bedecked her with wreaths and garlands, with many expressions of enthusiastic admiration: "This is my friend!—What a beauty!—How the scarlet lehua becomes her!—Just look, girls!—And now you are to come and be my guest.—The feast is set for this very day.—But you are all welcome."
The unrestrained gush of the young woman's rattling talk was quite in contrast to the selected words of Hiiaka.
