An Ipu Hokiokio from the Queen Emma Collection. Again, belonging to Princess Nahi'ena'ena.
It's said that this was a whistle used to imitate the melody of love songs.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii State Archives
Hawaiians prefer the breath of the nose. As it is the only orifice on the human body that does not excrete filth. Unlike the mouth, it doesn't lie. Aloha has many meanings but it's mainly the greeting of breath from the nostrils being shared. On the reverse, Haole was first used to identify those that did not wish to participate in the greeting of breath. Ha'ole, no breath. Handshakes instead...
If you or anyone you know was fortunate enough to attend Explorations at Kamehameha Schools during summer as a child. Then you have probably seen or even made a nose flute for yourself.
Well my dad took mines pretty seriously and then the same with my little brother's. Through the years he's been playing them and varnishing them up. He even repaired mine when it cracked and swears it has the best sound of his collection of five that he has gathered through the years. He's pretty damn good at playing along to local tunes on the radio. Now he's working on his revival into the congas that we bought for him after overcoming a minor stroke.
My pops, Wilfred Yee II
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