Section 2

Puʻuhonua and Menstrual Isolation

The term puʻuhonua is more appropriate than the English terms of isolation and separation regarding menstrual practices. Isolation has negative connotations that do not reflect the true cultural significance of puʻuhonua during menstruation. In Hawaiian culture, puʻuhonua refers to a sacred place of refuge, offering protection and serenity. The moʻolelo (story) of Akahiakuleana provides profound insights into concepts such as haumia (defilement), which refers to the sacredness associated with certain states; the integrity of kaʻawale (separation), highlighting the important ritualistic boundaries during menstruation; maluhia (peace), emphasizing the tranquility afforded in the sanctuary; and the presence of various figures such as kauā (outcast/slaves), aliʻi nui (high chiefs), and wahine waimaka lehua (women of intuitive understanding).

Hale Peʻa - A Space of Escape

The hale peʻa serves as a sanctuary specifically for women, allowing them the freedom to act without societal constraints. This refuge is designed to honor and protect their sacred status during menstruation and affords opportunities for spiritual reflection. In the context of the narrative, Akahiakuleana, the mother of ʻUmi, enjoys this sanctuary until her fateful encounter with Līloa at Hōʻea stream. Their interaction leads to the conception of ʻUmi—a pivotal and transformative aspect of the narrative that intertwines personal agency and societal norms surrounding menstruation.

Līloa and Akahiakuleana’s Union

According to Fornander, Līloa first sees Akahiakuleana with a desire to engage in sexual relations with her. The sequence shows Akahiakuleana menstruating prior to their encounter, which raises important questions regarding the notions of purity and the implications of their union. Menstruation in Hawaiian culture is often seen as a time of heightened spiritual power, and the repercussions of transgressing menstrual taboos are significant. Following their time together, Akahiakuleana remains able to be with Līloa without her husband’s knowledge, which highlights the protective and liberating aspect of the hale peʻa, allowing women autonomy in a context marked by strict societal rules.

Interpretations of Variation in the Moʻolelo

Malo offers a differing account, detailing how Līloa encounters Akahiakuleana by the stream after she completes her menstrual isolation. These different portrayals of the same events raise compelling questions regarding the sacredness attributed to menstruation and the dynamics of power and desire among the characters. It opens up discussions on how narratives can vary in their interpretation of women's roles and sexual agency.

Questions of Defilement and Sacredness

Līloa’s inquiry about Akahiakuleana’s menstrual status serves to illuminate the tensions around defilement; menstruating women typically faced severe consequences for engaging with high-ranking chiefs due to strict kapu (taboo) prohibitions. Akahiakuleana’s failure to be punished after her encounter suggests complexities in the understanding of breaches of kapu during this pivotal time, raising questions about the relative power dynamics at play and the potential for women's agency even amid strict regulations.

Cultural Dynamics of Kapu, Noa, and Haumia

The story of Luʻukia illustrates the protective role of isolation for wahine waimaka lehua (women of intuitive understanding) due to their powerful, sacred status during menstruation, signifying how societal structures accommodate or challenge the inherent sanctity of womanhood. The interactions within Akahiakuleana's narrative challenge the conventional understandings of kapu (taboo), noa (freedom from kapu), and haumia (defilement), suggesting a more nuanced interplay between power, sanctity, and personal choice.

Examination of Social Hierarchies

The presence of kauā (outcast/slaves) alongside Akahiakuleana and Līloa leads to critical examinations of cultural regulations surrounding different social statuses. This dynamic allows for deeper investigations into how sacred items associated with the chief were still entrusted to a kauā, reflecting complex and sometimes paradoxical cultural dynamics that question the nature of purity, power, and worthiness in Hawaiian society.

Implications for Future Research

The thesis invites further examination of the intricate relationship between the kapu surrounding different social roles, the sacredness of women’s experiences during menstruation, and its impacts on women and their representations in cultural narratives. There is also a call for interdisciplinary research that connects oral traditions with modern understandings of gender, spirituality, and social power in Hawaiian culture.