ʻIʻI

Kii: Bishop Museum

For the poe kahiko of lua, Kanepuaa was one of the akua they sought knowledge and guidance from. He is Lono. Lono took the form of clouds, rain, fish, plants and animals. Kekuhaupi'o, the olohe lua if Keei and those ancient warriors skilled in nou i ka maka, the casting of stones as well as ka ihe or spear throwing and the use of the pikoi or tripping cord knew these various arts of lua were under the guidance of Lono. The 'I'I is the kino lau or form, of Lono. 'I'I is the 'o Tane of the hapuu, a species of plant found in the dense forests of our islands. It is also one of our lua plants of old.

Here is a lua prayer or upu to Lono used by the lua people of Kona. It is still used today by the few poe lua remaining. Protection is sought. He mea upu ae, e hehea mai nei!

Traditional

E Lono e, E lono e

Nau ka ala o Oulu

E lawe oe i ka pololei, ka ikaika i ka maka

E uri mao, mao e hala

E nana i te tahua, te koa nui i kahikina

E ola au, e ola au

Amama ua noa

Lele wale aku la e

O Lono, O Lono

This is for you, that stone of Oulu

Take its flight, the powerful maka

Steer it away, a miss

Look to the priest, the one from the east

Grant life, life

Free,

it is free.

No ka poe lua no neia upu ma lalo iho nei. He upu no ka lawa lua ana iho no. Huna i ka mea huna, wehe i ka mea noa.

This upu is used in lua. Its traditional origins have been passed down to those of the profession. Its understanding is for some.

  Traditional K. K. Ku'ialuaopuna

E ii oe e Rono e

O tane o ka raau

Te pua e hooheihei

Haere mai i te po, haere mai i te ao

Hiti mai te afa ura a Tane

Otaa ia te taula

Te tino pawaru

Ta ta itoi, ta i ta reo

Otaa rau hara