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The description of Mercury according to the Polynesians:

Hawaiian Islands

Society Islands

Tuamotus

New Zealand

Pukapuka

Ukali or Ukali-alii 'Following-the-chief' (i.e. the Sun)

Kawela 'Radiant'

Ta'ero or Ta'ero-arii 'Royal-inebriate' (referring to the eccentric and undignified behavior of the planet as it zigzags from one side of the Sun to the other)

Fatu-ngarue 'Weave-to-and-fro'

Fatu-nga-rue 'Lord of the Earthquake'

Whiro 'Steals-off-and-hides'; also the universal name for the 'dark of the Moon' or the first day of the lunar month; also the deity of sneak thieves and rascals.

Te Mata-pili-loa-ki-te-la 'Star-very-close-to-the-Sun'

Ref. Makemson

The Tuamotuan names for Mercury, Fatu-ngarue ('Weave-to-and-fro') and Fatu-nga-rue ('Lord of the Earthquake'), are two views of the same characteristic: Instability.

In the Society Islands they regarded Mercury as showing the undignified behavior of some-body close to the Sun. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun, it is difficult to observe and its orbit appears to be without any order whatsoever. Like a thief the planet hides and sneaks around. Its strange orbit is like sea-weed or intestines, like a winding (sea) snake.