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Marie Alohalani Brown

Kaʻu Wahi Pūʻolo


"Kaʻu wahi pūʻolo"(my little bundle) derives from the use of pūʻolo (bundle, container) as metaphor for "message or topic." 

This is a blog about Hawaiian Religion. A frequent topic is its continuity despite the fact that it was officially abolished in 1819 and despite massive efforts to Christianize Hawaiians in the 19th and 20th centuries. A good portion of this blog is dedicated to sharing articles on Hawaiian religion from 19th- and 20th-century Hawaiian-language newspapers and other sources. I use the electronic archives Papakilo Database and Ulukau for much of my online research. My translations here are just very rough drafts to offer the gist of the articles for those who are unable to access the Hawaiian language. 
Photo: Dawn at Kahoʻolawe, a sacred island and kino lau of the ocean deity Kanaloa. Across the ocean stands Haleakalā, another sacred mountain, on the island of Maui. ​

Hawaiian Religion—Puolo Hoomanamana (1885)

7/27/2015

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Picture
     A  bundle containing things to 
               worship a god.

          On 16 of this Oct., John Kekua found a hoʻomanamana bundle at ʻŌhiʻa, Waikapū [Maui] at the home of Pala (m). [It contained] 1 [piece of] Kālaipāhoa wood, 1 piece of Kauila wood, 1 piece of Sandalwood, 1 ball of red dirt, 1 ball of clay. These are things were preserved carefully in a silk handkerchief, a god that he [Pala] worshipped. At exactly 12 o’clock that evening, it was set on fire. Your cherished things you kept so nonchalantly season after season were burnt, what a pity! Your kava-drinking friends, Pala, have passed; the ignorance of pagan religion is being scrutinized. Oh dear! Do not repeat those practices of former times, it is done, friend. 
          On 18 Oct., another one was found at Kekiʻo, Waikapū; a bundle of the same kind mentioned above [belonging] to the seer John Kekua, belonging to Mrs. Nāwēlau. This bundle was Kalaniʻula [The red heaven] and it was destroyed by fire at exactly 8 o’clock. Many visitors saw the death of this Dragon. Here is Satan who is being supported by these things done on his behalf. Oh, mother, do not imitate the time of our ancestors who have passed.
J. Nomoloa.

This article was published in Ka Nupepa Kuokoa (The Independent Newspaper) on October 31, 1885.

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  • Home
  • Publications
  • Speaking
  • Translation Services and Cultural Consultation
  • About & Contact Me
  • Prices for Services
  • Blog—Kaʻu Wahi Pūʻolo
  • Current Projects