akua loa
n. A tall image, especially an image of Lono carried on a circuit of the island during the makahiki, harvest festival; it was called loa, long, because of its “long” travels. The image consisted of a staff about two fathoms long. Pieces of pala fern, feather leis, and skins of the kaʻupu bird were fastened to a crosspiece tied near the top of the staff, in the center of which was a tiny carved head. A long and white tapa banner was attached. to the crosspiece. (Malo 143–5, but see Malo text, chapter 36, sections 22–4.) Tribute was collected. Also Lono Makua.