`AUMAKUA (singular)

`AUMĀKUA(plural)

`Aumakua

• 1. nvt. Family or personal gods, deified ancestors who might assume the shape of sharks (all islands except Kauaʻi), owls (as at Mānoa, O'ahu and Kaʻū and Puna, Hawaiʻi), hawks (Hawaiʻi), ʻelepaio, ʻiwi, mudhens, octopuses, eels, mice, rats, dogs, caterpillars, rocks, cowries, clouds, or plants. A symbiotic relationship existed; mortals did not harm or eat ʻaumākua (they fed sharks), and ʻaumākua warned and reprimanded mortals in dreams, visions, and calls. (Beckwith, 1970, pp. 124–43, 559; Nānā 38.) Fig.., a trustworthy person.

ORIGINS OF `AUMĀKUA

• One of the first ways `aumakua were said to originate was by the mating of akua and kanaka

• When a child was born unto this union, the akua became an ancestor to a human line

• He took on a dual role and became an `aumakua to his descendants

`ŌLELO NO`EAU

• `Ano lani, `ano honuaA heavenly nature, an earthly nature

Said of some `aumakua who make themselves visible to loved ones by assuming an earthlly form, such as fish, fowl or animal, yet retain the nature of a god.

TRADITIONAL FORMS OF `AUMĀKUA

• Fishes

• Birds

• Other animals

• Plant life

• Rocks

MANŌ: Shark

HONU: Turtle

PUHI: Eel

PUEO: Owl

`ALAE: Mudhen

RELATIONSHIP WITH `AUMĀKUA

• `Aumākua are our link to Pō

• `Aumākua are `ohana

• Personal connection between kanaka and nā akua

• Reciprocal relationship

COMMUNICATION WITH `AUMĀKUA

• Communicate in different ways– Dreams

– Speak directly to their relatives

– Sign or omen

NĀ `AUMĀKUANā `Aumākua mai ka lā hiki a ka lā kau

Mai ka ho`oku`i a ka hālāwai

Nā `Aumākua iā Kahina kua iā Kahina alo

Iā ka`a `ākau i ka lani

`O Kiha i ka lani

`Owē i ka lani

Nūnulu i ka lani, kāholo i ka lani

Eia nā pulapula ` oukou `o _____

E mālama `oukou iā mākou

E ulu i ka lani, e ulu i ka honua

E ulu i ka pae `āina o Hawai`i

E hō mai i ka `ike

E hō mai i ka ikaika

E hō mai i ke akamai

E hō mai i ka maopopo pono

E hō mai i ka `ike pāpālua

E hō mai i ka mana

NĀ `AUMĀKUA: TRANSLATIONAncestors from the rising to the setting sun

From the zenith to the horizon

Ancestors who stand at our back and front

You who stand at our right hand

A breathing in the heavens

An utterance in the heavens

A clear, ringing voice in the heavens

A voice reverberating in the heavens

Here are your descendants, __________

Safeguard us

That we may flourish in the heavens, that we may flourish on the earth

That we may flourish in the Hawaiian islands

Grant us knowledge

Grant us strength

Grant us intelligence

Grant us understanding

Grant us insight

Grant us power

`AUMĀKUA: A FINAL NOTE

• `Aumākua can be a sensitive topic to some `ohana.

• Respect the privacy of others, even within your own `ohana.

• Understand that what is okay in one `ohana may not be okay for another.

If you have any questions, please ask them on the

Discussion Board.

Mahalo!