Makahiki (part 2)

Did you know that the ali‘i served as the gods’ agents on earth?
Also within the procession was the älia, wooden posts used to mark the area of kapu around the Lonoikamakahiki and an akua loa which traveled with the procession.  As the procession neared the next ahupua‘a the akua poko of that ahupua‘a would join the procession.
The clockwise circuit of the ali‘i nui and priest carrying the Lonoikamakahiki was always made with the ocean to the left and the mountains to the right.  The white kapa hanging from the Lonoikamakahiki would fill with air like the sails of a canoe.  It is for this reason that Captain Cook was believed to be Lono as he sailed into the islands with the sails billowing from the masts of his ship.
As the ali‘i nui approached each ahupua‘a the Lonoikamakahiki was raised to enter proudly and majestically.  The ali‘i of the ahupua‘a or the ali‘i ‘ai ahupua‘a, more commonly known as konohiki, accepted the ho‘okupu from the maka‘äinana.  He would then offer them up to the ali‘i nui as he was the gods representative on earth.  The offerings were carefully inspected by the kahuna and he was the one to accept or reject any ho‘okupu.  Once all of the ho‘okupu were presented, the kahuna began the hainaki ceremony.  This was a kapu lifting ceremony.  With this he would pray to Lono and ask that Lono noa all of kapu from the land so that the celebratory festivities could begin.
When he finished he would announce to the assembled crowds to rise and prepare to play.  As the prescribed dialogue between the kahuna and the anaina ended so to did the hainaki ceremony.  Now all of the offerings were taken by the ali‘i nui and distributed among his ali‘i ‘ai moku.  The procession then continued on its clockwise circuit around the island to noa the other ahupua‘a.  As the procession left, the Lonoikamakahiki was lowered to face downward and the akua loa faced behind to the lands that have the suspended kapu for the celebration.