Moʻolelo Monday
On the first Monday of the month a traditional or modern moʻolelo depicting the jculture, values, language or traditions of Hawaiʻi, will be shared through a virtual platform. These mo‘olelo promote literacy within the classroom and home, and encourage ʻohana to read and learn together. Moʻolelo are shared by staff and guest storytellers.
MOʻOKALALEO
In the 1820’s, Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III was the catalyst for the rise of literacy in Hawaiʻi. He stated, “ ʻO Koʻu Aupuni, he Aupuni palapala koʻu. My kingdom shall be a kingdom of literacy”. Within our moʻokalaleo, we share a literacy component that extends our moʻolelo journey.
Hauwahine lāua ʻo Meheanu
In Kailua on Oʻahu, lives a moʻo named Hauwahine. She is the guardian of the Kawainui pond. Meheanu, who is the moʻo guardian of Heʻeia fishpond, would often visit her dear friend Hauwahine at Kawainui.
Moʻo ʻŌlelo
Weekly, a Mo‘o ‘Ōlelo, a succession of Hawaiian words or phrases will be shared. The mana‘o behind each word or phrase relates to the mo‘olelo being presented. This component will enhance cultural awareness and knowledge through Hawaiian language.
Ma ka hua helu kahiko o Hawaiʻi nei, ʻo ia hoʻi, 4 kahi, hoʻokahi ia kauna, a mahope aku ʻo ia, e piʻi pāʻumi ana nā huahelu 4, me nā inoa pakahi, e hōʻikeʻike i kēia kiʻi nei.
In the old couting system of Hawaiʻ, that is, 4 is one kauna, and after that the 4 digits will go up ten times, with each name, as shown in the this picture. (Source: Papakilo Database)
Ma ka moʻōlelo o kēia mālama nei, ua lawaiʻa ʻo Kanakapī i ka iʻa he nui. Ua helu ʻo ia i kāna iʻa hoʻokahi lau a i ka iʻa hoʻokahi mano. In the moʻōlelo of this month, Kakanakapī caught many fish. He counted his catch as 400 as it turned to 4,000.
The terms lau, mano, kini, and lehu are often referred to as many, numerous or multitudes in stories, songs and chants. The term nalowale is often refers to as infinite or infinity.
*Note: the term 40 is usually used when counting fish and can still be heard today. When counting 40 pieces of tapa or canoes, the term iako is used.
He kanaka pī ʻo Kanaka pī
Kanaka pī is a stingy man
Hō ka pī!: So stingy!
Kanaka
1. nvs., Human being, man, person Pī
1. nvs., Stingy, miserly, niggardly; stinginess.
(Source: Hawaiian Dictionary Pukui-Elbert)
Ma kekahi moʻolelo ma mua, ua haʻi mākou ʻo ke kino lau ka hōʻike kino i lawe ʻia e ke kino akua. He mau moʻo akua o Hauwahine lāua o Meheanu. He moʻohāuliuli ʻōpulepule o Hauwahine a he puhi ūhā ʻo Meheanu.
In a previous story, we stated that kino lau is the physical manifestation of a supernatural body. Hauwahine and Meheanu were god-like lizards. Hauwahine is a dark gray mottled lizard and Meheanu is a white eel.
Kino lau:
Definition: Many forms taken by a supernatural body, god or demigod. Kino meaning body and lau meaning many. Mary Kawena-Pukuʻi states that kino lau nearly always refers to the physical manifestation of a deity. However, kino lau may also be associated with dieties but not necessarily manifest themselves
Ka Heluhelu ʻĀpono (Recommended reading): He Kaʻao no Hauwahine lāua o Meheanu
Moʻo (Source:Place Names of Hawaiʻi)
supernatural being living usually in water; many were dangerous, some benevolent. One of the many forms a moʻo is that of a lizard, oʻopu, eel and ʻīlio moʻo that sometimes masquerade as humans.
“Predominately female, moʻo deities ….embody the life-giving (hōʻola) and death-dealing (hoʻomake) properties of water, the element with which they are associated
Tradition holds that if you come across a body of freshwater in a secluded area, and everything is eerily still and quiet, you should not linger there because you have stumbled across the home of a moʻo. And if the plants of that place are yellowed and the water is covered with a greenish-yellow froth, then you know the moʻo is at home. If that is the case, you should leave quickly lest the moʻo make itself known to you to your detriment. It might eat you or it might take you as a lover. Either way, you are doomed because the moʻo will consume you—completely.”
Source: Alohalani Brown, M.A. Video Presentation for Puana ka ʻIke: https://kohalacenter.org/talks/puanakaike/webcasts-2011-2012
Ka Heluhelu ʻĀpono (Recommended reading): No ka ʻĪlio Moʻo as told by Kawehi Avelino
