Among decorations approved and most highly esteemed stood pre-eminent the fragrant maile (pl. IV) and the star-like fronds and ruddy drupe of the _íe-íe_ (pl. II) and its kindred, the _hála-pépe_ (pl. III); the scarlet pompons of the _lehúa_ (pl. XIII) and _ohi’a_, with the fruit of the latter (the mountain-apple); many varieties of fern, including that splendid parasite, the “bird’s nest fern” [Page 20] (_ekáha_), hailed by the Hawaiians as Mawi’s paddle; to which must be added the commoner leaves and lemon-colored flowers of the native hibiscus, the _hau_, the breadfruit, the native banana and the dracæna (_ti_), plate V; and lastly, richest of all, in the color that became Hawaii’s favorite, the royal yellow _ilíma_ (pl. VI), a flower familiar to the eyes of the tourist to Honolulu. While deft hands are building and weaving the light framework of the kuahu, binding its parts with strong vines and decorating it with nature’s sumptuous embroidery, the _kumu_, or teacher, under the inspiration of the deity, for whose residence he has prepared himself by long vigil and fasting with fleshly abstinence, having spent the previous night alone in the halau, is chanting or cantillating his adulatory prayers, _kanaenae_—songs of praise they seem to be—to the glorification of the gods and goddesses who are invited to bless the occasion with their presence and inspiration, but especially of that one, Laka, whose bodily presence is symbolized by a rude block of wood arrayed in yellow tapa that is set up on the altar itself. Thus does the kumu sing: _Pule Kuahu_ Ei’ au e Laka mai uka, E Laka mai kai; O hooulu O ka ilio[18] nana e hae, 5 O ka maile hihi i ka wao, O ka lau-ki[19] lei o ke akua, O na ku’i hauoli O Ha’i-ka-manawa.[20] O Laka oe, 10 O ke akua i ke kuahu nei, la; E ho’i, ho’i mai a noho i kou kuahu! [Translation.] _Altar-Prayer_ (to Laka) Here am I, oh Laka from the mountains, Oh Laka from the shore; Protect us Against the dog that barks; [Page 21] 5 Reside in the wild-twining maile And the goddess-enwreathing ti. All, the joyful pulses. Of the woman Ha’i-ka-manawa! Thou art Laka, 10 The god of this altar; Return, return, abide in thy shrine!