Kahaka‘ōnohi’ula

My offering to the double rainbow arching over the northwest dunes of Hōlanikū that I named Kahaka‘ōnohi’ula. This chant comes from the Mo’olelo of Keaomelemele written by Moses Manu and translated by Mary Kawena Puku’i. It is the first Oli that Keānuenue, sister of Kāne, utters as she makes her way to O’ahualua carrying the young Kahanaiakeakua, born on Kuaihelani. I read this entire story to Hōlanikū while I was there. I return there every time I offer this chant.

“Awake, ye of Kahikikū
Awake, ye of Kahikimoe
Awake, ye of Kuaihelani
Awake, ye of Nu’umealani
Awake, ye of Ke’alohilani
Awake, ye of Hōlanikū
Awake, ye of Hōlanimoe
Awake, o woman Kapo
Look to the distant pillars of Kahiki
Lay down the rainbow trail
The trail by which to travel
The upright rainbow, the low-lying rainbow
Descend”

This Oli brings me back into my body, into my heart, and into my womb. In the past three months I’ve had to call upon all of parts of me that wishes to stay with our ‘āina kūpuna of pō. The transition back has been a journey in and of itself. So I oli until I feel aligned and full in my body and in my soul. And then I Oli some more.

Ola Hōlanikū!

#mahinaolelohawaii
#papahānaumokuākea
#hōlanikū
#alohaaina