His departure allows for the return of Ku, a businesslike war god who presides over the next eight months of work and productivity, said Donna Ann Kameha'iku, who is the third generation of her family to help lead a makahiki closing ceremony at the Marine base since the mid-1970s.

Her great-uncle, Sam Lono, fought for the right to honor the Hawaiian god there, she said.

"That was during the Hawaiian renaissance," she said. "People fought for the ability to come to the sacred places and practice our religion."

In the 1970s, some who demanded access to the sacred lands that were closed to them were arrested, she said. This year those who would bid farewell to Lono were welcomed at the base.

Lono's akua loa (tall image) arrived at Marine Corp Base Hawai'i by canoe. After presiding over games and festivities, Lono began his trip to Tahiti where he will remain until the next makahiki. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

First, she said, there was the rainbow that framed the stretch of ocean Lono's canoe escorts would cross.

Then, there were the flying fish that lined up in front of the beach where the canoes would land.

The fish jumped repeatedly from the water, a chorus line of flashing bellies just yards from the crowd on the beach. The fish jumped toward an old pier, then vanished.

"Ho'ailona," Kameha'iku said. "A sign. A validation that what we are doing is right. A verification that we are doing things the right way."

The guests, who included a couple of Marines wearing civilian clothes, enjoyed food and dancing after Lono set sail for Tahiti.

Ku will be welcomed back in a ceremony this morning, Kameha'iku said.