Kaʻahele a Lono i Molokai
From Halawa to HaleoLono
The Lono banner will be carried from Halawa to HaleoLono over four days time, beginning on January 26th. He will visit each ahupuaʻa along the way, including a stop at Kaunakakai Ball Park for the opening ceremony of the games on Saturday.
The schedule:
Thursday Hālawa to Aha’ino
Friday: Aha’ino to Kaunakakai
Saturday : Kaunakakai to Mahana
Sunday: Mahana to HaleoLono
We will be posting updates of his journey, on facebook, follow us on the Kā Molokaʻi Makahiki page.
Preparing to give Hoʻokupu
Choosing Hoʻokupu
A hoʻokupu is an offering that accompanies your pule, to help embody, demonstrate and give mana to your pule. It is usually something that represents your ʻāina, ʻohana or what you are praying for. Some suggestions are:
Kalo: The continuity of genealogy, healthy ʻohana, staple of Manaʻe and backside people.
ʻUala: Faith, resilience, humility, staple of Hoʻolehua and Kalaupapa people.
ʻUlu: growth and health
Maiʻa: Abundance. Multiply.
Niu: Purity and potential
Kō: Fulfillment, support
Lei Lau Kukui: Enlightenment
Lei Palapalai: New growth, fruition
Lei Kālina: Humility, connection to akua
ʻĀweoweo or Kūmū: favored of the aliʻi, strengthens leadership and politics.
Puaʻa: Perseverance, determination, leadership, keen senses.
Paʻakai: Preservation, connection, cleansing
Ipu wai: knowledge, abundance, control of water.
Preparing Hoʻokupu
Items should be wrapped or presented in 100% organic material. NO PLASTIC. Most times, lāʻī or ti leaves are used to wrap. Make sure no part of the hoʻokupu is showing. If the item falls on the ground, or is contaminated somehow, please discard it and find something else. Try to treat your hoʻokupu special, like its a precious gift you want to offer up on behalf of Molokai. It represents the blessings we have enjoyed this past year, our good food, clean water and air, our health and peace. Try to think good positive thoughts whenever you are around it. It absorbs all the words and intentions that surround it and your pule will amplify it. Letʻs make more awesomeness for Molokai!
Presenting Hoʻokupu
Stand with hoʻokupu in front of you with both hands. If you are accompanying someone, and your hands are empty, keep them visible and to the sides. Arms crossed in front or in back of your body is disrespectful. Try to focus on your intentions for your pule and hoʻokupu. When signaled, you are welcome to introduce yourself and/or your hoʻokupu with an oli. If you do not have one, you may proceed with offering your hoʻokupu, by lifting it above your head, and passing it to the moʻolono. When you do this, you will need to say who you are, where you are from, what your hoʻokupu is, and where it is from.
The most simple template to follow is:
ʻO wau ʻo _______(your name), no _______(where you are from). Eia ke kupu _________ (what your hoʻokupu is) no ________(where its from) mai.
So I could say, ʻo wau ʻo Keoki no Hoʻolehua. Eia ke kupu kalo no Mahana mai. I am Keoki from Hoʻolehua. Here is my offering of kalo from Mahana.
Once your hoʻokupu is taken from you, remain standing in a humble position (usually with head bowed or in ʻaihaʻa) until the pū (shell) is blown. When returning, do not turn your back on Lono. Try to walk backwards until you feel like you are out of his immediate "presence."