Papahōlua

In ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, makau means “fishhook” and Makaukiu, a place in Kahawali, is shaped like a fishhook. This is where our papahōlua, Makaukiu, was born. Over the course of a year, we learned how to carve, shape, oil, and lash our hōlua from Uncle Keone Kalawe at his house in Kahuwai. The students who designed this hōlua love to go holoholo and named it after this point in Kahawali. With itʻs name, Makaukui will always be connected to this place. 

Kapele Bay is a place in Kahuwai that served as a canoe landing for hundreds of years. Our hōlua was named to honor this place. Uncle Keone Kalawe taught us how to sculpt and lash the hōlua. 

Kahawali is a legend set in the ahupuaʻa of Kula. The legend tells of a hōlua race between the goddess Pelehounamea and a chief named Kahawali. We wanted to honor this story with our hōlua. Uncle Keone taught us the art of shaping, assembling, and polishing the hōlua. The design features flames to represent Pele and her role in this kaʻao. With itʻs name, Kahawali will forever be connected to Puna.