Hawaiian Religion: Puolo Hoomanamana (1893)

Kaʻu Wahi Pūʻolo

Pūʻolo refers to a bundle or container, and is used figuratively for a message or topic: kaʻu wahi pūʻolo—my small bundle or my little communication.

This is a blog about Hawaiian Religion, in particular, 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 Papakilo Database and the electronic archive Ulukau for much of my online research. The translations I offer are very rough drafts that offer the gist of the articles for those who are unable to access Hawaiian language.

Hawaiian Religion: Puolo Hoomanamana (1893)

7/27/2015

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Bundle containing things to worship a god.

Last Saturday, at the stream of Maʻemaʻe [Nuʻuanu, Oʻahu], a hoʻomanamana bundle was found that was believed to be a thing to cause the death of the person who had evil intentions. [It contained] a moana fish [goatfish], kava, a "a-puna olalo/olulo" [apu na olulu? a cup for the idol?], and other things inside. Oh friends, stop performing those kinds of practices. This is a time of enlightenment, and the things of enlightenment are wanted, not those of ignorance. To obey is life, to disobey is death.

Published in Ka Lei Momi on 29 August 1893.

Note: the "a-puna olalo/olulo" bit stumped me. Any insights are appreciated.

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Kaʻu Wahi Pūʻolo