ʻIʻI

Kii: Bishop Museum

For the poe kahiko of lua, Kanepuaa was one of the akua they sought knowledge and guidance from. He is also called Lono. Lono has many names dedicated to his specific function in Hawaiian society. 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 ikoi or tripping cord, knew that these various arts of lua were under the guidance of a particular Lono.

The 'I'I is a kino lau or plant 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. The black bristles on the top of the stems and trunk indicate it so as compared to the hapuu with the smooth pepee or fiddle stalks that are without the black bristles.

This hapuu below has no black hairs on the kuau / stems. This is 'o wahine.

Kii: QT Luong

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 with this prayer.

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 below is used in lua. Its traditional origins have been passed down to those kupuna trained in selected practices. Its understanding is for those trained in its arts.

 Kii: Ku'ialuaopuna

Traditional K. K. Ku'ialuaopuna

E ii oe e Rono e

O tane o ta 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, I tau mai ta moena

Bustling you are oh Lono

The man of the forest

A pig to be ensnared

On ward to the realm of ancestors

Move to the realm of man

The red cord of Kane has arrived

The cord is spinning in revolution

The eight ply bracord

Cast out the club, strike at the voice

You are a roll of hala, placed on my mat