Nāmāhoe and Hina

Moʻolelo o Hina 

Akua Hina represents motherhood and is steward of the moon. Hina is associated with kuku kapa (beating kapa) like the kapa shown in the mural that is supplanted on Hāʻupu mountain. Hina is a prominent Akua. There are many forms of Hina. Hinaiuka, who is represented by a peak of Hāʻupu is honored in this mural but she is also honored in her Hinaʻaiakamalama (Hina- feeding on the moon) form.

One version of a moʻolelo of Hina tells of Hina and her gift in creating the finest kapa cloth anyone had ever seen. Hina’s kapa was in high demand because of the quality. Hina beat so much kapa that she grew tired. Her sons and her husband were troublesome and didn’t support Hina’s kapa making. Hina looked toward the heavens and became determined to flee up a rainbow and into the heavens for rest. Hina first tried to go to the sun. She followed the rainbow’s path to the sun, but the heat of the sun was too intense. Hina returned to earth and when the full moon rose she decided to climb to the moon. When Hina began her ascension to the moon, her husband saw her and demanded that she stay on earth. Hina began her ascent anyway and her husband chased after her to stop her and grabbed her leg, injuring her. Despite her injury, Hina made it to the moon with her calabash, her most prized possession. Hina lives on the moon till this day with her calabash and her kapa implements, creating kapa in peace and restfully but powerfully watching over her descendants. 

Nā Māhoe

Nā Māhoe is a constellation (Greek name: Gemini). The constellation are siblings, one female and one male, representing the balance of feminine and masculine energies. The first star to appear in our Hawaiʻi sky is called Nānāmua. Nānāmua means to "look forward." The second star to appear is called Nānāhope and means "to look behind." Nānāmua and Nānāhope not only represent the cosmological balance between kāne and wāhine energy but also represent the divine connection between the past and future; the strong symbolic theme this mural honors. 

Kauaʻi's wa'a (Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe) is named Nāmāhoe signifying the twin hulls. Nāmāhoe is also the guiding constellation between Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. Nāmāhoe was named by John Kruse and was crafted under his leadership and that of Kumu Dennis Chun and the late Dr. Patrick Aiu. 

Projects this Mo’olelo is featured in