1. n., Water purification festivities on the second night of the month of Welehu (near the end of the year). The people bathed and frolicked in the sea or stream after midnight, then put on their finest tapa and ornaments for feasting and games.
2. vs., “Water-tailed,” said of one allegedly descended from a shark.
Papa helu loli ｜ Wehewehe Wikiwiki update log
s. The name of the ceremony of bathing in cold water in the worship of some of the gods.
A ceremony of ablution or religious purification directed by a high priest. One part of the ceremonial consisted in bathing in streams to which virtue had been previously imparted by the priest on the evening of Hoaka (second day of the moon) which was one of the ancient tabu days.
A ceremony of purification was observed on a night late in the year by frolicking and bathing in the cold water. It was followed by a prepared feast and games lasting most of the next day. (KEP. 97, 193–194.)
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