Hawaiian Origins and Kino lau Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering Hawaiian migration, origin stories (Kumulipo, Haloa), cultural terminology (Kino lau, Mana), deities, and the social/religious Kapu system.

400 CE

The approximate time early settlers arrived in Hawaii, believed to have migrated from the Marquesas Islands.

Marquesas Islands

The location where early Hawaiian migrants are believed to have originated from, approximately 2,000 miles away.

Pele

The goddess of lava who migrated from Tahiti to Hawaii with her sister Hi’iakaikapoliopele.

Kumulipo

A 2,100-line oli (chant) that serves as a main origin story, tracing the genealogy of the gods to the earth and relating certain ali’i to the divine.

‘Aikapu

A system of sacred eating where men and women eat separately, originating from the union of Wakea and Ho’ohokukalani.

Haloa Naka

The stillborn first child of Wakea and Ho’ohokukalani who was buried in the aina and grew into the first kalo plant.

Haloa

The second son of Wakea and Ho’ohokukalani, named in honor of his older brother, who is considered the first Hawaiian.

Kalo

A sacred crop considered to be the older brother to all Hawaiians because it provides for the population.

Kino lau

The many body forms of a god or demigod, where "Kino" means body and "lau" means many.

Kanaloa

The God of the ocean whose kino lau includes animals like heʻe (octopus) and naiʻa (dolphin) and plants like maiʻa (banana) and ʻuhaloa.

Mana

Spiritual or divine power that exists in all things in varying levels and can be earned, lost, stolen, or inherited by birthright.

Niaupi’o

Mana obtained by birthright through a sacred union between closely related relatives, such as brother-sister or father-daughter, to grant status and authority.

Keopuolani

The highest ranking wife of KI and advisor to KII who possessed extreme mana because her parents were brother and sister.

Aumakua

A family god or deified ancestor that takes a physical form such as an owl, shark, or gecko to protect and warn family members.

Ku

The major male god of war and masculinity.

Lono

The major male god associated with agriculture.

Kane

The major male god associated with life.

Wakea

The major male god representing the sky.

Kamapua’a

The major male god associated with the pig.

Papahanaumoku

The major female god representing the earth.

Hi'iaka

The major female god associated with vegetation.

Haumea

The major female god associated with fertility.

Hina

The major female god associated with the moon.

Kapu System

A complex system of religious laws that dictated daily activities and maintained balance between the earthly and the divine.

Ahupua’a

A traditional land division extending from mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean) ensuring access to vital resources like fresh water and farm land.

Ali’i Nui

The highest ranking chief who ruled over all other ali’i on an island.

Kalaimoku

Counselors who assisted the ali’i nui in land division decisions.

Konohiki

Individuals who supervised the work and activities within the ahupua’a.

Kahuna Nui

Priests and spiritual advisors to the ali’i who conducted ceremonies in the heiau.

Maka’ainana

Land tenants and commoners within the social system.

Kauwa

Individuals considered outcasts or slaves in the social structure.

1819

The year the kapu system was officially abolished when men and women, influenced by Keopuolani and Ka’ahumanu, ate together.