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Palaoa or Cetaceans
Palaoa, are the Hawaiian taxonomy of cetaceans that occupy Hawaiian seas. Cetaceans are some of the most highly specialized mammals on the planet. They range from the largest living creatures, to some of the most intelligent and communicative. And, all cetaceans are believed to be divine forms or manifestations of the Hawaiian god of the sea, Kanaloa.
There are two types of whales: toothed whales (odontoceti) and baleen whales (mysticeti). Yet, in Hawaiian nomenclature, we merely refer to them as koholā or palaoa - or Kanaloa.
Kanaloa: Koholā or Palaoa?
The terms koholā and palaoa are used, interchangeably, when speaking of these species of Kanaloa. There are a few distinctions seen throughout various texts and scholarships. The term koholā is one often used to describe a humpbacked whale, baleen or toothed whales while palaoa is often used when referencing sperm whales, toothed whales, and the ivory (bone or teeth of any type of whale). See the section below on niho palaoa.
There are two types of whales: toothed whales (odontoceti) and baleen whales (mysticeti). Yet, in Hawaiian nomenclature, we merely refer to them as koholā or palaoa - or Kanaloa.
Kanaloa: Koholā or Palaoa?
The terms koholā and palaoa are used, interchangeably, when speaking of these species of Kanaloa. There are a few distinctions seen throughout various texts and scholarships. The term koholā is one often used to describe a humpbacked whale, baleen or toothed whales while palaoa is often used when referencing sperm whales, toothed whales, and the ivory (bone or teeth of any type of whale). See the section below on niho palaoa.
Moʻolelo Koholā & Palaoa
Palaoa and Koholā, and their importance, has been documented in the accounts of Hawaiians, and perpetuated through oral histories (moʻolelo). Through these histories, we are allowed to interact with the role and significance of Kanaloa through the eyes of the ancestors. But, these are just a few examples.
The Kumulipo"Hanau ka Palaoa noho i kai,
Kiai ia e ka Aoa noho i uka." The sperm whale is born dwelling in the sea, Guarded by the Sandalwood that dwells upland. Birthed in Wā ‘Alua of the Kumulipo, a cosmogonic chant, palaoa are included in the coupling of marine organisms with vegetation, and are paired with the sandalwood plant - the Aoa. Mentioned so early on in the creation of all things, they are our divine relatives that straddle the conscious and subconscious, and assisted in bringing us into human existence. They straddle, pass through, and exist in both the realm of Ao and Pō. Their songs and chants have, often times, pulled us into being. |
‘A‘ahoakaIn this Kauai story, the pregnant chiefess Koananai craved the flesh of the koholā. Her kahuna perceived this to be a sign, that her child would be come a great warrior and spiritual leader. Soon after she craved this, a koholā gifted itself, beaching itself on the shore near a rivermouth on the northern side of Kauai. It is told, that all the people of this land gathered to help bring it ashore, prepare the imu, and partake in the consumption of the whale's flesh. The prophecy of such an amazing warrior and leader came true, and the feast, the occasion, and the sacrifice of the Kanaloa is commemorated by the naming of this place - Waiakalau.
Ka Nupepa Kuokoa. Dec. 30, 1876 - Mar. 3, 1877. |
Kahekili & KahahanaJ.H. Kanepu‘u and Kamakau, both recount the story of Maui chief Kahekili. Kahekili was said to have raised and trained a young Oahu chief named Kahahana. When Kahahana leaves Maui to rule Oahu he is asked by Kahekili to promise him two things: Kahekili would get the lands of Kualoa, the seat of sovereignty for Oahu and well known for an abundance of beachings of whales, as well as all of the palaoa and koholā that comes ashore anywhere on Oahu. Against the advice of his kahuna, Kahahana agrees, in this he relinquishes much of his power by giving up Kualoa, and displaying a poor management of palaoa and koholā resources - which mirrors a leaders ability or inability to manage wealth as an critical form of political kuleana.
Communicated to me by Aunty Kalei Nuuhiwa, Candace Fujikane, others. |
Lei Niho Palaoa
O luna, o lalo; o uka, o kai; o ka palaoa pae, no ke ali‘i ia.
Above, below; the upland, the lowland; the whale that washes ashore—all belong to the chief.
The chief owned everything in the land he ruled. Ivory obtained from the teeth of whales that washed ashore was very valuable.
Mary Kawena Pukui. Olelo Noeau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings (Kindle Locations 10828-10833). Bishop Museum Press. Kindle Edition.
Above, below; the upland, the lowland; the whale that washes ashore—all belong to the chief.
The chief owned everything in the land he ruled. Ivory obtained from the teeth of whales that washed ashore was very valuable.
Mary Kawena Pukui. Olelo Noeau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings (Kindle Locations 10828-10833). Bishop Museum Press. Kindle Edition.
The ivory and the teeth of the whale: niho palaoa is a prized emblem: one representing aristocracy and royalty, wealth, and balanced leadership. As the aforementioned proverb states, the niho palaoa is a symbol reserved for someone whom is highly respected - such as, ali‘i.