Pohaku Kui ai Of Halawa, Molokai

Kii: Bishop Museum Collection

This moolelo was recorded by

Richard Kekumuikawaiokeola Paglinawan on Molokai 1964

On a visit to Halawa, Moloka'i some 40 plus years years back, Olohe Likeke Paglinawan of Waiahole, stayed with some ohana there in the remote valley. Uncle La was at the age of 74, and he was ohana to olohe and olohe's wife. La was also the informant, knowledgeable in Halawa's history, stories and people of old. Uncle La took them to re-visit the aina, stories and families in the area. Uncle La knew of this old man named Mai, who lived on his family land for many generations. Mai was a carver of pohaku ku'i 'ai ( stone pounders). He would shape stones using a metal hatchet into pohaku ku'i 'ai. This was his profession and art, as his art of pohaku carving was passed down in his family for generations there in Halawa, Molokai.

Every time uncle La passed by Mai's hale, he would note the progress this old man made on the stone pounders. One day uncle La stopped with olohe to talk story with Mai and uncle picked up an unfinished pounder Mai was working on to get a feel of it.

Mai explained " Aue...pilikia haki ana o pohaku. " Alas trouble, the pounder will break" uncle responded, " No ke aha e haki ana o Pohaku?" " why would the stone pounder break? " Mai explained it was kapu to pick up an unfinished pounder other than the maker. To do so meant the unfinished pounder would break.

Sure enough, uncle La saw the unfinished pounder broken the next day on his visit back to Mai's hale. However, La was impressed by Mai's reaction to him; although La got scolding, it was in a gentle and teaching way. He learned from this old man the kapu involved in his ancient practice of stone carving. According to uncle La, all of the families of Halawa had their pohaku ku'i 'ai made by Mai or his kupuna. This practice and art of Mai was passed down within his ohana for generations and Mai was probably the last in his line to do this profession in the valley. Now in the process of Mai carving out that pohaku that was picked up by La, he would have to search for another pohaku and begin the long process of re-carving it for the family it was to be given to. This work of carving the pohaku took months to finish.

 According to uncle La, Halawa people cooked their kalo on Saturdays only. They would ku'i the kalo the same day. Sundays was a day of rest, and mandatory for everyone to attend church services.

This traditional of items being kapu, such as this pohaku ku'i 'ai applies to every implement made in traditional Hawaiian culture. For lua people, this especially applies to all things big and small such as spears, canoes, clubs, daggers and even aha or cordage. It's an old tradition that protects the items being made, so that the items are not defiled and remain spiritually clean and protected for its user. This is why in ancient times the entire halau, or work area was always kapu to all outsiders. The halau in which work was being done was always roped off with kaula or cordage and sometimes markers were set up with stone or other known signs. The halau or workshop was also sanctified with rituals and prayers, creating a boundary that was known to be forbidden to cross by all outsiders. Only the master carver and his haumana were able to enter the halau as they knew the protocols and kapu that was required for each piece.

This kapu applies even to all schools of learning such as halau hula and halau lua practitioners. Today, many do not know the protocols and restrictions pertaining to all indigenous practices. All cultures have basic rules and kapu. Always ask if it is ok to enter and especially to touch anything before you pick it up. The proper respect given all things will make you aware of the importance in everything. This moolelo was recorded by

Richard Kekumuikawaiokeola Paglinawan on Molokai 1964