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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. ​

Hīlea (f) and her Hoomanamana Gods (1875)

7/27/2015

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Picture

Ka Leo Lahui, February 4, 1875
Lahui Hawaii; Aloha:--
     May it please you Editor, to allow me a bit of room in your body so that you can show before the public those words "Hilea me kona Akua Hoomanamana."
     Here at Puaʻahala, Molokai, a woman named Hīlea, with her gods Pūnohu and Kahala, is healing certain people; many people have turned to this evil handiwork. It is something that embarrasses me to observe, people who were taught knowledge joining in the filth, who had been teachers before, and at this time, are the kava chewers for the gods of Hīlea. In last few days, Hīlea predicted that a school of fish would appear at Honouli, akule [big-eyed scad]. Many people went there because of her words, but they returned with nothing. Hīlea was taken before the Associate Court Judge of Molokai to be fined, and because of false testimony, hiding the misdeed,  the offense was dismissed. The time of ignorance has passed, enlightenment has appeared, when will the dimness afflicting the sight cease? If the eyes are closed at the drinking of kava, here is the time to stop that error, and remember, there one GOD in  Heaven. "To obey is life, to disobey is death."
With aloha, 
Molokai.

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