It is becoming more and more a matter of regret that a larger amount of systematic effort was not established in early years for the gathering and preservation of the folk-lore of the Hawaiians. The world is under lasting obligations to the late Judge Fornander, and to Dr. Rae before him, for their painstaking efforts to gather the history of this people and trace their origin and migrations; but Fornander’s work only has seen the light, Dr. Rae’s manuscript having been accidentally destroyed by fire.
The early attempts of Dibble and Pogue to gather history from Hawaiians themselves have preserved to native and foreign readers much that would probably otherwise have been lost. To the late Judge Andrews we are indebted for a very full grammar and dictionary of the language, as also for a valuable manuscript collection of meles and antiquarian literature that passed to the custody of the Board of Education.
There were native historians in those days; the newspaper articles of S. M. Kamakau, the earlier writings of David Malo, and the later contributions of G. W. Pilipo and others are but samples of a wealth of material, most of which has been lost forever to the world. From time to time Prof. W. D. Alexander, as also C. J. Lyons, has furnished interesting extracts from these and other hakus.
The Rev. A. O. Forbes devoted some time and thought to the collecting of island folk-lore: and King Kalakaua took some pains in this line also, as evidenced by his volume of “Legends and Myths of Hawaii,” edited by R. M. Daggett, though there is much therein that is wholly foreign to ancient Hawaiian customs and thought. No one of late years had a better opportunity than Kalakaua toward collecting the meles, kaaos, and traditions of his race; and for purposes looking to this end there was established by law a Board of Genealogy, which had an existence of some four years, but nothing of permanent value resulted therefrom.
Fornander’s manuscript collection of meles, legends, and genealogies in the vernacular has fortunately become, by purchase, the property of the Hon. C. R. Bishop, which insures for posterity the result of one devoted scholar’s efforts to rescue the ancient traditions that are gradually slipping away; for the haku meles (bards) of Hawaii are gone. This fact, as also the Hawaiian Historical Society’s desire to aid and stimulate research into the history and traditions of this people, strengthens the hope that some one may yet arise to give us further insight into the legendary folk-lore of this interesting race.
T. G. T.
Honolulu, January 1, 1907.
ahaaina, feast,
aholehole, a species of fish.
ahos, small sticks used in thatching,
Ahu o Kakaalaneo, the name given to the original feather cloak,
ahupuaa, a small division of a country under the care of a head man.
ahuula, a feather cloak,
Ai Kanaka, man eater,
aikane, an intimate friend of the same sex,
Aina-i ka-kaupo-o-Kane (the land in the heart of Kane), the primeval home of mankind,
Aina kumupuaa a Kane, see Kan-aka-maoli.
Aina lauena a Kane,
Aina-wai-akua-a-Kane (the land of the divine water of Kane), the primeval home of mankind,
aipunpuu, chief cook or steward,
akaaka laughter,
aku, a species of fish, the bonito.
akua, a deity,
akule, a species of fish.
ala, a smooth, round stone.
alae, mud-hens,
alaea, red earth, of which the body of the first man was made,
Alehe-ka-la, sun snarer,
alii, chief.
Alii aimoku, sovereign of the land.
aloha, a word betokening greeting or farewell.
Aloha ino oe, eia ihonei paha oe e make ai, he ai mainei Pele, Compassion great to you! Close here, perhaps, is your death; Pele comes devouring,
Aloha oe! Alas for you!
anae-holo,
anahulu, a period of ten days.
Ana puhi, eel’s cave,
ano akua nae,
Aole! no!
ao poko, short cloud,
apapani (or apapane), a scarlet bird,
a-pe, a plant having broad leaves of an acrid taste, like kalo, but stronger.
auki, the ki leaf (Dracæna terminalis),
Aumakua, ancestral shades,
aupehu
auwai, watercourse,
Auwe ka make! alas, he is dead!
awa, the name of a plant of a bitter, acrid taste, from which an intoxicating drink is made; also the name of the liquor itself, expressed from the root of the plant.
aweoweo, a species of reddish fish.
Eia o Hana la he aina aupehu; o Hana keia i ka ia iki; ka ia o Kama; ka ia o Lanakila,
Elepaio, a small green bird (Chasiempis sandwichensis),
ha, the lower stem of leaves when cut from the root,
haawe, back-load,
haka, a medium devoted to the cult of a god,
hala tree (Pandanus odoratissimus),
halau, shed,
hau, a forest tree—a species of hibiscus; also, the bark of this tree from which ropes are made.
he ekolu ula o ka la, the third brightness of the sun,
hee kupua, wonderful octopus,
heiau, temple.
he keehina honua a Kane,
he ’lii kahuli,
He Lualoa no Na ’lii, a deep pit for the chiefs,
he mau anahulu, about thirty days.
He po hookahi, a ao ua pau, in one night, and by dawn it is finished,
He waa halau Alii o ka Moku, the royal vessel, the ark,
hiaku, name of a place in the sea beyond the kaiuli, and inside the kohola,
Hi-ka-po-loa, Most Excellent,
Hilo, the first day (of the new moon),
hilu, a species of fish, spotted with various colors,
hinahina, leaves of a gray or withered appearance,
hinalea, a species of small fish.
hokeo, a fisherman’s gourd.
hoku kaolele, a meteor,
holua, sled.
honu, sea turtle,
hou, a species of fish,
hula, drum.
ieie, the leaves of the ie, a decorative vine.
iiwi, a small red bird.
i ka muli o Hea,
Ikiki, a summer month—July or August,
i kini akua, spirits, angels.
Ikua, a winter month—December or January,
i kuhaia, the spittle of the gods,
ilalo loa i ka po,
ili hau, the bark of the hau tree from which ropes are made,
ilio, dog.
i mea ole, nothing.
imu, oven.
iwi kuamoo, the backbone.
ka aina i ka haupo a Kane,
ka aina momona a Kane,
kaao, legend-bearer,
ka holua ana o Kahawali, Kahawali’s sliding-place,
kahu, keeper,
kahuna lapaau, medical priest,
Kaiakahinalii, the Flood,
Kai a Kahinalii, Sea of Kahinalaa,
kai-ula-a-Kane, the Red Sea of Kane,
kaiuli, the deep sea.
kai waena, middle post (of a house),
Kakelekele, hydropathic cure,
kala, a species of fish.
Ka lae o ka ilio, the dog’s forehead,
Ka lae o ka laau,
Kalana-i hau-ola (Kalana with the life-giving dew), the primeval home of mankind,
kalo, the well-known vegetable of Hawaii, a species of Arum esculentum; Colocasia antiquorum,
kamaainas, original inhabitants,
kamani tree, Calophyllum inophyllum,
kanaka, a man; the general name of men, women, and children of all classes, in distinction from animals.
Kanaka-maoli, the people living on the mainland of Kane (Aina kumupuaa a Kane),
Kane, sunlight,
kanekoa, a deity,
Kane-laa-uli, the fallen chief, he who fell on account of the tree,
Kanikau, lamentation,
ka one lauena a Kane,
kapa, the cloth beaten from the bark of the paper mulberry, also from the bark of several other trees; hence, cloth of any kind; clothing generally.
Kapapahanaumoku, the island bearing rock or stratum,
ka poe keo keo maoli,
kapu, sacred.
kapu-hoano, sacred or holy days,
kapuku, the restoration to life of the dead,
Ka Punahou, the new spring,
Kauakiowao, Mountain Mist,
Kauawaahila, Waahila Rain,
kau i ka lele,
ki-wai-ola-loa-a-Kane,
kawelewele, guiding-ropes,
Keakeomilu, the liver of Milu,
keawemanhili, a deity,
Keinohoomanawanui, a sloven, one persistently unclean,
Ke po-lua ahi, the pit of fire, inferno,
Ke ue nei au ia olua, I grieve for you two,
ki, a plant having a saccharine root, the leaves of which are used for wrapping up bundles of food; the leaves are also used as food for cattle and for thatching.
kihei, a mantle worn over the shoulders.
kilu, play, or game,
koa tree, Acacia koa.
ko’a aina aumakua, fishing-station,
ko’a ia, fishing-station.
ko’a ku-ula,
ko’a lawaia, fishing-station,
koali, same as kowali.
koas, fighting men,
koele, a small division of land; hence, a field planted by the tenants for a landlord; a garden belonging to the chief, but cultivated by his people,
kohola, a reef.
kolea, plover,
kona, a severe storm that comes up from the equator,
konane, a game like checkers.
Konohiki, feudal lord, a head man with others under him.
konohili, wife of a feudal lord,
kou, a large shade tree growing mostly near the sea,
kowali, convolvulus vine, a swing made of these vines,
Ku, Substance.
ku, arose,
kuaha, a stone-paved platform,
Ku-Kaua-Kahi, a triad—the Fundamental Supreme Unity,
kukini, trained runner.
kuko, to wish, to lust,
kukui tree, Aleurites molluccana,
Kulu-ipo, the fallen chief, he who fell on account of the tree, p.
kumukahi, east wind,
Kumu-uli, the fallen tree, he who fell on account of the tree,
kupa, native born person,
Kupapau o Puupehe, Tomb of Puupehe,
kupua, demigod, p.
ku-ula, fishing-station.
Lae, cape (of land),
la-i leaves, dracæna leaves.
laka loa,
lalo puhaka,
lama, a forest tree (Maba sandwicensis) which has very hard wood,
lana, floating,
lanai, arbor,
lau, four hundred,
lauele, a species of turnip.
lawalu, to cook meat on the coals wrapped in ki leaves,
leho, kauri shell.
lehoula, a species of leho of a red color, a red shell-fish.
lehua tree, Metrosideros polymorpha.
leiomano, shark’s tooth weapon,
leis, wreaths.
lele,
lelekawa, to jump from the rocks into deep water,
lele kowali,
Lelepua, arrow flight,
lepo ula, red earth, of which the body of the first man was made,
lilo ai kona ola a make iho la,
limu, sea-moss,
Lo Aikanaka, the last of the man-eating chiefs.
lomilomi, to rub or chafe the body.
Lono, Sound.
lua, killing by breaking the bones,
Lua o Milu, the nether world,
luau, the kalo leaf; boiled herbs; young kalo leaves gathered and cooked for food.
ma, a syllable signifying accompanying, together, etc.,
maika, the name of a popular game; also, the stone used for rolling in that game,
mai ka po mia, from the time of night, darkness, chaos,
mai, komo mai,
maile, Alyxia olivaeformis, fine-leaved variety, Maile laulii,
makaha, floodgates,
makahelei, drawn eyes,
makahiki, the name of the first day of the year,
makai, seaward,
Makakehau, Misty Eyes,
malailua, goats without horns, such as were found on Mauna Loa,
malau, a place in the sea where the water is still and quiet; a place where the bait for the aku or bonito is found,
malos, girdles worn by the males.
mamani,
manaiaakalani,
mana kupua, miraculous power,
manawa ole, in no time, in a short time,
manienie-akiaki, a medicinal grass of the olden time,
manini, a species of fish caught by diving,
mano, dam,
manohae, a ravenous shark,
maoli, a species of banana; the long, dark-colored plantain,
mauka, inland.
Milu, inferno.
Moi, sovereign,
moi, a species of fish of a white color.
moo, a general name for all lizards, a serpent.
Moo-kapu, sacred lands,
mua,
Na akua aumakua o ka poe kahuna kalai waa,
nae, the farther side, p. 116.
na-u, jessamine, gardenia.
noa, pertaining to the lower class of people,
O haehae ka manu, ke ale nei ka wai,
ohelo, a species of small reddish berry; the Hawaiian whortleberry,
ohia, native apple.
ohia hemolele, the sacred apple-tree,
ohiki-makaloa, long-eyed sand-crabs,
ohua, the name given to the young of the manini fish.
Oi-e, Most Excellent,
Oio,
oio, a species of fish.
oo, digger,
oopu, a species of small fish living in fresh water rivers and ponds.
opae, a small fish; a shrimp; a crab.
opihi-koele, a species of shell-fish,
opihis, shell-fish,
pa, wall,
pa, fish-hook,
pa hi aku, fish-pearl.
pahoa, stone hatchet.
pahoehoe, smooth, shining lava.
pahonua, place of refuge, p
pahoola, a remnant, a piece,
pahu kaeke,
paiula, the royal red kapa of old,
pakai, an herb used for food in time of scarcity.
pakui, a house joined to a house above—that is, a tower,
pala, ripe, soft; also, as a noun, a vegetable used as food in time of scarcity.
pale, a director,
pali, precipice.
Pali-uli (the blue mountain), the primeval home of mankind,
palolo, whitish clay, of which the head of the first man was made,
pani, a stoppage, a closing up, that which stops or closes.
papa holua, a flat sled,
pa-u, skirt.
pihoihoi loa,
pili, the long, coarse grass used in thatching houses,
po, night, chaos,
poe poi-uhane, spirit catchers,
pohaku-ia, fish stone,
poi, the paste or pudding which was formerly the chief food of the Hawaiians, and still is so to a great extent. It is made of kalo, sweet potatoes, or breadfruit, but mostly of kalo, by baking the above articles in an underground oven, and then peeling or pounding them, adding a little water; it is then left in a mass to ferment; after fermentation, it is again worked over with more water until it has the consistency of thick paste. It is eaten cold with the fingers.
Po-ia-milu, inferno,
Po-kini-kini, inferno,
Po-kua-kini, inferno,
po o akua,
Po-papa-ia-owa, inferno,
Po-pau-ole, inferno,
popolo, a plant sometimes eaten in times of scarcity, also used as a medicine.
pouhana, end post (of a house).
poumanu, corner post (of a house),
pou o manu, corner post (of a house),
pu, head,
puaa, a hog,
puhala, the hala tree,
puhi, eel, sea snake.
puholoholo, to cook (food) by rolling with hot stones in a covered gourd,
puloulou, sign of kapu,
puni ka hiamoe,
puoa, a burial tower,
Reinga, the leaping place,
ueue, bait,
uhu, a species of fish about the size of the salmon,
uki, a plant or shrub sometimes used in thatching; a species of grass,
uku, a species of fish.
Ulu kapu a Kane, the breadfruit tabooed for Kane,
uo, a part of the process of feather cloak making,
uwau, a species of bird; a kind of waterfowl.
waa, canoe,
waa halau, see He waa halau Alii o ka Moku.
Wai a Hiku, water of Hiku,
Wai nao, the spittle of the gods,
waoke, banana,
Wawa ka Menehune i Puukapele, ma Kauai, puohu ka manu o ka loko o Kawainui ma Koolaupoko, Oahu, the hum of the voices of the Menehunes at Puukapele, Kauai, startled the birds of the pond of Kawainui, at Koolaupoko, Oahu,
wiliwili tree, Erythrina monosperma,
Next: Legends Resembling Old Testament History