PUNIA & THE SHARKS

HWST 104

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES• The book Place Names of Hawai`i can

help provide insight into the location of places mentioned in these stories as well as the meaning of the place name. This text may be accessed through ulukau.org on Resources.

• The Hawaiian Dictionary can also help provide insight into the meanings of names and other terms found in stories. This text may be accessed through ulukau.org on Resources or by going directly to www.wehewehe.org

• The book ‘Ōlelo No`eau contains Hawaiian proverbs & poetical sayings and more.

NĀ INOA (NAMES)

• As is typical in Hawaiian myths and legends, names provide insight into the characters’ attributes, personality, and the story itself.

• In the same regards, place names can also provide insight into the plot of the story.

MAIN CHARACTERS – DEFINITIONS OF NAMES

• PUNIA– “to gain control of, to

overcome”– To be fond of, desire, covet– Deceive, deluded

• KAI`ALE`ALE– kai – sea– `ale`ale – restless

As taken from the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pūku`i & Elbert).

BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI`I

PLACE NAMES

• Kohala– Kohala. District (famous for the

`Āpa`apa`a wind), quadrangle, extinct volcano, land section, club, sugar plantation, elementary and high schools, ditch, trail, mill, mountains, forest reserve, post office, seminary, and village, all in northwest Hawai`i; point, Honomū qd., northeast Hawai`i.

As taken from Place Names of Hawai`i (Püku`i, Elbert & Mo`okini)

PLACE NAMES CONT.

• Kona– Kona. Leeward districts on

Hawai`i, Kaua`i, Moloka`i, Ni`ihau, and O`ahu. Poetic (Hawai`i); kai mā`oki`oki; kai ʻōpua i ka la`i; kai hā-wanawana, streaked sea; clouds [over the] sea in the calm; whispering sea. (See Appendix 9.) Lit., leeward.

As taken from Place Names of Hawai`i (Püku`i, Elbert & Mo`okini)

PLACE NAMES CONT.

• Alula– Alula. Bay, Kai-lua qd., North

Kona, Hawai`i. • Hi`iakanoholae

– Hi`iaka-noho-lae. A rock beyond the seawall (between the Kona Inn and the end of the wall) at Kai-lua Village, Kona, Hawai`i. (For. Sel. 14-15.) Lit., Hi`iaka living [at] point. (One of Pele's Hi`iaka sisters lived here. In one legend the stone is the shark form of a priest turned to stone in response to an enemy's prayer to Pele. See Ka-iwi.)

As taken from Place Names of Hawai`i (Püku`i, Elbert & Mo`okini)

Alula Beach

PLACE NAMES CONT.

• Keaukaha– Ke-au-kaha. Hawaiian

homestead area, elementary school, waterfront park and residential district, Hilo, Hawai`i. Lit., the passing current.

As taken from Place Names of Hawai`i (Pūku`i, Elbert & Mo`okini)

OLI

• MELE OLI– Mele oli, or simply oli, are chants that are not danced to and are generally

unaccompanied by any musical instrument. – Because the Hawaiian people had no written language until the arrival of the

missionaries, they relied heavily on oli to preserve history, genealogy, traditions, beliefs, and much more.

– There are many different kind of oli, both formal and informal for specific occasions including mele ko`ihonua (recounts a person’s genealogy), mele inoa (name chant in honor of an individual), and mele he`enalu (surfing chant).

– The mana (power) of a chant, lies in its hidden meanings, or kaona. Hidden meanings, such as rain as a metaphor for love or the use of a certain place name, could evoke different feelings, depending on who heard and understood the chant.

• In his oli (chant) on p.14-15, Punia mentions 3 fishes: the kala, uhu & palani.

KALA

• Kala: surgeonfish– Kala also means to free, release, or forgive; a

proclamation; a prayer to free one from any evil influence

– The kala has a spike near the caudal fin which it uses in its defense. Because of this sharp tail, it is likened to one who can defend himself

• ‘Ōlelo No`eauMālama i ke kala ka i`a hi`u `oi.Lit. Watch out for the kala, the fish with a sharp tailA warning to beware of a person who is well equipped to defend himself

As taken from the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pūku`i & Elbert).

UHU

• Uhu: wrasse-fish– Uhu also means to strain, chafe under restraint; willful,

headstrong

– Uhu are plant eaters, the teeth are strong and beaklike. The uhu is a beautiful, bright-colored fish.

• ‘Ōlelo No`eau `A`ohe e loa`a, he uhu pakelo

Lit. He will not be caught, for he is an uhu, slippery with slime

Said of a person too wily and wise to be caught

PALANI

• Palani: surgeonfish– The palani is famous for its strong odor. As such,

it is likened to a detested person

• ‘Ōlelo No`eauHauna ke kai o ka palani.

Lit. The palani makes a strong-smelling soup

A person of unsavory reputation imparts it to all he does.

PUNIA & THE SHARKS

• There are at least 2 other documented versions of this myth.

• The main storyline, theme, and overall outcome of each version are the same.

• However, there are subtle differences in each.

• The ending in each version varies.• The differences are noted in the following

slides.

Legends of Hawai`i (Colum, 1937)

• In Colum’s version, Punia’s father was killed by the king of sharks, Kai`ale`ale.

• In this version, Punia came out of Kai`ale`ale when he reached the shore. He cried out to the people that their enemy, Kai`ale`ale, had come for a visit. The people of Kohala came down to shore with their knives and spears, killing him.

Pikoi & Other legends of the island of Hawai`i (Pūku`i & Curtis, 1949)

• In this version, Punia asked his mother to make him a small, closely-plaited mat which he took with him along with his sticks for lighting fire and charcoal.

• In this version, Punia was about to crawl out when they reached shore, but heard voices outside. The men tried to kill Kai`ale`ale by cutting him open. Punia shouted “Oh be careful, lest you cut the man inside.”

Pikoi & Other legends of the island of Hawai`i continued (Pūku`i & Curtis, 1949)

• Believing the shark to be inhabited by an evil spirit, the people were frightened away.

• He was about to crawl out again, but saw more people coming with knives and adzes.

• Since he was not sure of his whereabouts, he feared that the people would kill him.

• Thus, he drew back and shouted once more, frightening them away as well.

Pikoi & Other legends of the island of Hawai`i continued (Pūku`i & Curtis, 1949)

• This continued until darkness fell.

• Although there were still some people around, he crawled out and ran into the forest.

• He was relieved to see Mauna Kea and returned home.