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 CULHf] HAWAIIAN GAMES 211

carry orders to different parts of the island, and such were held in estimation according to their fleetness. 1 In his journal of Cook's voyage to the Pacific ocean, 1 Captain King, speaking of the Hawaiians, says: "They frequently amuse themselves with racing matches between the boys and girls ; and here again they wager with great spirit."

Ellis' describes the foot-race of Tahiti under the name of faatitiaihe-mo raa :

" Young men of the opposite parties engaged. Great preparations were made for this trial of strength and agility. The bodies of the runners were anointed with oil; the maro, or girdle, their only gar- ment, was bound tight round the loins. A wreath of flowers adorned the brows, and a light white or colored bandage of native cloth was sometimes bound like a turban round the head. A smooth line of sandy beach was usually selected for the course. Sometimes they returned to the place from which they started, but in general they ran the prescribed distance in a straight line. ' '

15. Hei-hei-haa~we : " BURDEN-RACING." — This is a contest in which each of the participants carries another astride his neck.

16. Hcuhei-e-ke : " SACK-RACING." — Eight men usually race, starting from a line, running to a goal and back to the line.

17. Le-le-wa-wae-ka-hi : "One-foot jumping," Hopping. — Contestants tie one leg and run races, hopping on one foot.

18. Le-U-le-la-au : "Stick-jumping," Vaulting.— Vaulting is practiced with the aid of a long pole.

19. HeUieUhu-Ua-ba-la-la : " WHEELBARROW RACING." — This is a sport of recent introduction.

20. HeUieuau : " SWIMMING RACE." — Men and boys play, either in fun or for a prize of food or money.

21. Heului-waa : " CANOE- RACING." — Two or more canoes race, usually out to sea, the course being a mile or a mile and a half out and around a flag buoy and return. The canoes are propelled with kapa sails.

1 Andrews, Hawaiian Dictionary,


 * Vol. Ill, p. 145- 8 Vo1 - '» P- 2I °

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