Kukaniloko During the Vernal Equinox

Our regular Thursday night, Olelo Hawaii Class with Kaipo'i. Took a field trip to Kukaniloko to observe the sunset during the spring equinox. I got there a little late after I finished work and just missed the sun as it set a bit earlier behind the clouds. Instead of on the horizon atop the Waianae mountian range. Of which I thought I still had time to catch.

All of these images were taken and shared with me via Apple's Airdrop (yeah he's very tech savvy) by "Ola", Keola Naka'ahiki-Rapazo of FITTEDHI. He was there with his family, and our fellow classmates. While Kaipo'i shared some mo'olelo of the area and it's importance to the Hawaiian people in so many ways.

We have been learning about the, "He Mo'olelo no Kaneho'owa'a".  Kamehameha The Great's navigator Kaneho'owa'a. Has an interesting illustration linking in the dualism of the ipu gourd with navigation. By using a gourd with lines and points on it like a classroom globe. We have already learned that there were already names for the equator as well as the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn used by ancient navigators of Polynesia. Now here at Kukaniloko they present themselves at the peaks of the Waianae Range.

On this day he shared another mo'olelo delving deeper into the gourd theory. As the gourd opens to fill the sky with stars. The stars become clusters with their own houses in different locations in the sky that one must know by heart. The pulp of the gourd can become paper used for writing and sharing knowledge... (you had to be there, the Hawaiian version is much more eloquent. I have a copy of it if anyone is interested)

On this day, the sunset touched at the peak of Mount Ka'ala. As opposed to the sunset during Winter Solstice 

in my previous post. In 90 days, during the summer solstice. The sun will set furthest north at the end of the range in Mokuleia. Before making it's way back south again. As it did for all eternity that man can try to comprehend here on this island. 

Somehow, our ancient ancestors figured this out and calculated that this exact spot was to be the center of traditional life in Hawaii. All generations that followed would deem this place very important. Kaipo'i related it to a collage for training the next 

generation about such things as navigation.

Births of high ranking chiefs were another use of this sacred place here in the district of Lihue on Oahu. If everything was done accordingly. All customs associated with the area were followed to the very last detail. Mother and child would then be disconnected at Ho'olonopahu Heiau, and the drums of Opuku and Hawea would be heard throughout the plain of Wahiawa. The mother would secure the highest kapu for her child. The child would be of the Lo Ali'i class. The sacred high kapu royalty that lived in seclusion unless a position in the kingdom called for someone of high ranking. 

I asked Kaipo'i about the name Kukaniloko and why it was carried on to a female ruler that ruled Oahu around the 1580-1600's. She was a descendant of the Maweke line of Oahu through Mo'ikeha. After Haka's failed ruling from the Kumuhonua/Maweke line. Ma'ilikukahi became ruler and through two generations she inherited the kingdom. In two more generations her line would produce Kakuhihewa. Although by far, she was not the first to be born there or the last.

Kaipo'i  blew my mind when he told me Kukaniloko was a twin! Kepalaoa was he sister. If you can relate Kukaniloko to the mountain as her outline is defined from the view point of the birthing stones. Then Kepalaoa is represented by the piko stone. Which also looks like a whale! This is mind blowing stuff here right?! Kaipo'i related the circles that make the piko petroglyph. To also symbolize the scars seen on a whale when they fight with squid in the depths of the ocean!

I'm just going to stop here and let you enjoy Ola's pics. Also try to form your own conclusion to what that green ball of light is...

Did you enjoy that? I welcome you to try to view the sunset during any equinox and see what you can find for your own understanding. I'm still kicking myself for not making it in time for this years sunset. I will be returning here for the rest of my my so I am content. The following are pics that I took myself of some of the interesting people that we have at our class. That share similar paths to understanding our wonderful Hawaiian culture.

Notches in the center of the stone that looks like Oahu. What do they represent???