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Hauwahine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Hawaiian mythology, Hauwahine was a moʻo and the guardian spirit of Kawainui Fishpond[1] as well as Pā'eo and Kaʻelepulu fishponds.[2]

Name

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In the Hawaiian language, the name Hauwahine literally means "female ruler".[3]

Characteristics

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It was believed that Hauwahine ensured there was enough food available for the people, but removed the fish from the pond if the people living in the area were oppressed by the aliʻi.[1] She was additionally believed to prevent sickness.[4] Pollution and overgrowth were thought to be insults to Hauwahine, which was one motivation for the Hawaiians to keep the fishpond clean.[1] The Hawaiian goddess Hiʻiaka was believed to have fought all the moʻo except for Hauwahine, for whom she chanted a mele.[5]

Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine, a basalt outcropping on the west side of Kawainui,[5] was thought to be a favored location of Hauwahine.[6] Yellow grass and rushes were believed to mark her location.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Drigot 1982, p. 16.
  2. ^ Becket, Jan; Singer, Joe, eds. (2017-12-31), "Glossary of Proper Names", Pana Oahu, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, pp. 171–173, doi:10.1515/9780824863845-013, ISBN 978-0-8248-6384-5, retrieved 2021-11-07
  3. ^ LeGrande Biological Surveys 2017, p. 17.
  4. ^ LeGrande Biological Surveys 2017, p. 34.
  5. ^ a b Wong, Brad Kaʻaleleo (2013-10-30). "Crew Blog: Na Pōhaku o Hauwahine, Ulupō Heiau and Kailua". Hōkūleʻa. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
  6. ^ Lovell, Blaze (2019-11-19). "Restoring Kawainui Marsh After Years Of Neglect Is Not As Easy As It Could Be". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  7. ^ Becket, Jan; Singer, Joseph (2000). Pana Oahu: Sacred Stones, Sacred Land. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-8248-6384-5.

Bibliography

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