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Writer's pictureKuialuaopuna

Ka Upu a Ka Lua

Updated: Nov 20


The mystical realm of Pele has many hidden passages.

Kii: Marie Goff



Hawaiian Dictionary (1986) (Hawaiʻi)


Kaona-Hidden meaning, as in Hawaiian poetry; concealed reference, as to a person, thing, or place; words with double meanings that might bring good or bad fortune. Kaona hoʻoʻinoʻino, pejorative innuendo. No wai ke kaona o kēlā mele? Who is being referred to in veiled language in that song?


Traditional upu of Lua and Ha'a are the chants or prayers that are used in a ceremonial practice, whether it is in a small private ceremony or in a larger, public setting. Like Hawaiian compositions of song and lore, these upu contain many hidden meanings held within the essence of the thought expressed. These phrases or compositions have a magical, mysterious power and energy which enhances the composition and thought once it is received by the reader, listener and the elemental forces. Kaona, (hidden meanings), are based on metaphors which cleverly disguises a word or thought so that the true intent of the composer cannot be clearly established.

 

 These upu are composed in deep metaphor, expressed as code, intended to mystify the un initiated and to magnify the essence of the composer's thoughts with mana or power. The kaona expressed within the upu can be a simple phrase such as kaulana na pua o Hawaii or "famous are the flowers of Hawaii". The term pua has many meanings such as seen below;




Hawaiian Dictionary (1986) (Hawaiʻi)

Pua -nvi. Flower, blossom, tassel and stem of sugar cane; to bloom, blossom. Pāpale pua, pāpale pua kō, hat made of stem of sugar cane. Pua ka wiliwili, nanahu ka manō, the wiliwili tree blooms, the sharks bite [a blossoming girl is desired by males; sharks are believed to mate when the wiliwili blooms and to be especially ferocious]. E hauʻoli hoʻi ka wao akua, ā e pua mai hoi (Isa. 35.1), the wilderness shall be glad and blossom too. (PPN pua).


2. vi. To issue, appear, come forth, emerge, said especially of smoke, wind, speech, and colors, hence to smoke, blow, speak, shine. Cf. pua ahi, pua ehu, pua ʻehu, pua ʻena, pua hina, puana, puka. Pua ka uahi, the smoke rises. E pua ana ka makani, the wind rises. Kapu ka nū, ka ʻī, i ka pua o ka leo, forbidden to groan, to speak by sound of voice. A ʻike pua iki aku nō ʻoe iā Kaʻula, and you barely see Kaʻula. hoʻo.pua Caus/sim.. Mai hoʻopua ʻoe, do not say a word. (PCP pua).


3. nvi. Progeny, child, descendant, offspring; young, spawn, fry, as of āholehole, ʻamaʻama, ʻanae, awa, kāhala, ʻōʻio, uouoa, to produce progeny or young. Pua aliʻi, descendants of chiefs, royal progeny. Pua ʻūhini, young ʻūhini, a grasshopper. Kana mau pua, his descendants. Pua iʻa, baby fish, fish fry. Lau kō pua, netting drive for young fish. Ua pau, ua hala lākou, a koe nō nā pua (song), they are gone, passed away, and the descendants remain.


4. n. Arrow, dart, sometimes made from flower stalks of sugar cane.


5. Same as olopua 1, a tree. (Perhaps PPN pua).


6. n. Float, buoy. Rare.


7. Short for ʻōpua, a cloud bank.


8. (Cap.) n. A Molokaʻi sorcery goddess.


9. A fish hook for turtles. (And.)





Most will translate this saying "Kaulana na Pua" as famous are the children of Hawaii, instead of famous are the flowers of Hawaii. Both translations are correct. The key lies in the whole upu and its context. Here is a old and common way of speaking. "Ua nani na pua mala e maalo ala". This thought is "beautiful is the garden of flowers that passed by ". This thought can also be seen as beautiful are the women that passed by.


Upu are written for a specific group of people who know the essence of the thoughts composed. If the chants are for the profession of Lua and Ha'a, many terms and phrases entwined within the upu are intended for those practitioners within those arts.

 

If one who is listening is not of this composition’s profession, the meaning will be hard to grasp in its entirety and the composers actual thought may be obscure. Translation is still possible, but it will not unlock the mystical, magical power it was intended to do.


Upu are chants of power intended to assist in setting the space or area of the ceremonial practice. It unifies the energy of the space, so all parties are on the same frequency and realm.

 

Upu are able to unlock the recipients memories, images, smells and feelings

from past experiences. These past experiences, whether it be from our past soul lives or experiences from youth, enable us to leave this physical plane and enter the psychic plane of the elements and kupuna .These experiences can be either pleasant or not, as they are up the individual to feel.


Upu are also puzzles or riddles that challenge one's mind and intellect.


 

Here is a Upu from the lua /Haa profession. Its thought is simple yet it can be a puzzle for some. Try and unuhi this short upu, you may add it to response if you wish.!



Ua Hiki Mai Ka 'Ehu   Traditional K.K. Kuialuaopuna

 

Ua hiki mai ka ‘ehu kakahiaka mai ʻō aku

Hoʻomaʻū ‘ia ka ʻāina i ke kēhau

Ua hiki mai ka lehua a ke kai

Te lapa a Kanaloa

‘Ohu ka lau lipo o ka ʻāina

Kani ka leo, wawalo i ka lā’au

Nā mamo a ka lua

 


The ocean folks have arrived from far off

The land has been touched by their presence

Hilo is present

Those from the shore

The verdant, lush, dark greenery adorns our land

Their voice calls out, resounding through the forest

The descendants of the pit




This upu below is entwined in kaona pertaining to the Haa people of old.


Traditional K.K. Kuialuaopuna

Kani ka pu'u o ka lohe,

Ka ui a ka lua ao Mawae

He lua kinikini ka Keawe

Ka mea aiwaiwa a ka lua

Moe e no Ka'u i ka uahi

Pua ka uahi i ka ai

Ka ai welawela a ka lua

Ku mai, ohiki ae

Hoolele i koali, ke kaula pawalu a Kaluna

E hooheihei i ke komo a ka lua

Na wai no e pakele aku?

Ka ai a ka ui, o Kaluau



The olohe boasts his chant

The skilled one of Puna

Hawaii has many warriors

The mysterious warriors of the pit

Puna rests in the smoke

The smoke rises from the heat of the stroke

The sacred stroke of the warrior

Move forward, step sideways

Cast the vine, the eight braided cord of Kaluna

To ensnare the limbs of the antagonist

Who is able to free himself?

From the strike of the champion, Kaluau.


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