The seasons generally kept tabu were, on the approach of some great religious ceremony; immediately before going to war; and, during the sickness of chiefs. Their duration was various, and much longer in ancient than modern times. Tradition states, that in the days of Umi there was a tabu kept thirty years, during which the men were not allowed to trim their beards, etc. Subsequently, there was one kept five years. Before the reign of Tamehameha, forty days was the usual period; during it, ten or five days, and sometimes only one day. In this respect, the tabus, or seasons of restriction, in Hawaii, appear to have exceeded those of the South Sea Islands; the longest season of prohibition, in Huahine, known to the natives, was the rahui of Mohono, which lasted ten or twelve years. It was during this period that the hogs became so numerous and large, that they destroyed all the feis, or mountain plantains, excepting those growing on the summits of the highest mountains.

The tabu seasons were either common or strict. During a common tabu, the men were only required to abstain from their usual avocations, and attend at the heiau when the prayers were offered every morning and evening. But, during the season of strict tabu, every fire and light on the island or district must be extinguished; no canoe must be launched on the water, no person must bathe; and, except those whose attendance was required at the temple, no individual must be seen out of doors; no dog must bark, no pig must grunt, no cock must crow—or the tabu would be broken, and fail to accomplish the object designed. On these occasions, they tied up the mouths of the dogs and pigs, and put the fowls under a calabash, or fastened a piece of cloth over their eyes. All the common people prostrated themselves, with their faces touching the ground, before the sacred chiefs, when they walked out, particularly during tabu; and neither the king nor the priests were allowed to touch any thing—even their food was put into their mouths by another person.²

²Ellis, W.n/an/an/an/an/a, , 4: 387–388.