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Signs of Lono in the heavens...

Here is an oli dedicated to Lono, presented during the Makahiki. My favorite line in this one is "Amoamo ke akua laau nui o Lono!" (Resplendent is the great wooden image of Lono!) As we see in the image below, when the great staff of Lono was up, the people are prepared for wildness and games of skill and strength.

[Kahuna:]
Ou kino e Lono i ka lani
He ao loa, he ao poko
He ao kiei, he ao halo
He ao ho'opua i ka lani
Mai Uliuli, mai Melemele
Mai Polapola, mai Ha'eha'e
Mai 'Oma'oku'ululu
Mai ka 'aina o Lono
I hanau mai ai.
'Oi ho'oku'i aku o Lono
Ka hoku e miha i ka lani
Amoamo ke akua la'au nui o Lono
Ku'iku'i papa ka lua mai Kahiki
Hapaina, kuka'a i ka hau miki no Lono
E ku i ka malo 'ahiu!

[People:]
Hiu!

[Kahuna:] [People:]
'O Lono Ke akua la'au

[Kahuna:] [People:]
Aulu! Aulu e Lono!

Translation:

[Priest:]
Your bodies O Lono in the heavens
A long cloud, a short cloud
A watchful cloud, a peering cloud
An overlooking cloud in the heavens
From Uliuli, from Melemele
From Polapola, from Ha'eha'e
From 'oma'oku'ululu
From the land of Lono
That which gave [him] birth.
Ah! Lono places on high
The star that sails in the heavens.
Resplendent is the great wooden image of Lono.
Linking the two [dynasties] from Kahiki.
Lifted, purified in the essence of Lono
Stand up, loincloth girded for wildness!

[People:]
Go wild!

[Kahuna:] [People:]
Oh Lono! The wooden god–image

[Kahuna:] [People:]
Hail! Hail to Lono!

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Comment by ʻOhukaniʻōhiʻa on March 8, 2009 at 5:51am: Here are comments from friends about this post:

Resplendent is the great wooden image of Lono Huh? No, but seriously, what does it really mean?
And I can't wait to see you in your "loincloth girded for wildness!"
Kapalili au a umi ka hanu.
That's "I quiver with bated breath," for those of you who are interested.
h----uUUUUUuuuuuIIIII----E Hiu!
Noe ma ka lani
Posted by Noelani on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 2:40 PM

Lonoikamakahiki
Lonoikamakahiki
Lonoikamakahiki
Posted by Joshyboy on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 2:41 PM

Eh! I like, I like!!!! Please teach this one to me!
Mahalo nui!
Kalae
Posted by Kalae on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 8:53 PM

Man, I've been saying, "The moku that sails in the heavens" all these years!! Do you actually say hoku now? I'd like to see your "hula i paa" for this one, especially ka laina hope. *minoaka*
Posted by MahealaniMoon on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 7:59 AM

E Mahea: ae it seems that "hoku" was in an earlier version, and was the word used when I learned it, and now it seems as though "moku" is the word of keia mau la. Either way, something is sailing across the heavens! ;) If I am not mistaken, Kumu prefers "moku" these days, so you don't have to adjust what you have learned. Me, I just mumble through that part! :D
Posted by 'Ohu on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 8:42 AM