Meet the Kiʻi Introduction

Kiʻi can be carved into wood, stone, and sea urchin spines, or assembled using feathers.

Quick Facts

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot

Kilo Kilo nā Maka o ke Kiʻi

Behold the Face of the ʻAumakua

Easily recognizable, yet shrouded in mystery, kiʻi (carved images) are iconic by nature and serve a crucial role in Hawaiian religious tradition. Here, kiʻi act as focal points in ritual, creating a link between the material world and the world of spirit.

What is a Kiʻi?

As defined by Pukuʻi’s Hawaiian Dictionary, a kiʻi is an image, statue, or likeness that serves as a symbolic embodiment of the akua and aumakua, or multitude of Hawaiian gods, deities, and venerated ancestors. While kiʻi most commonly take the form of wooden carvings, they are also formed out of stone, carved into pūnohu (sea urchin spines), or assembled as ornate feathered images, akua hulu manu.

Hawaiian Akua

While there are numerous akua in the Hawaiian Pantheon, five primary akua are represented at heiau (temples). Each akua has a number of physical manifestations called kinolau.

Kāne

Kāne is associated with creation, the heavens, and the cosmos.
Kinolau include sunlight, freshwater, lightning, bamboo, ʻawa (kava), and pueo (native owl)

Kanaloa

Kanaloa is associated with creation, the depths of the ocean, and the cosmic mysteries.
Kinolau include salt, seaweeds, maiʻa (plantains), octopus, as well as whales and porpoises

Haumea

Haumea is associated with fertility and birth, and is represented at the Hale o Papa or Women’s Heiau. Haumea is worshipped across the islands as an ancestress to both chiefs and common folk.
Her kinolau, the hau tree, is regarded highly as a material from which to make adze handles and canoe booms.

Kū

Kū is associated with aquisition and industry and is responsible for fishing, farming, building, and carving, as well as governance and warfare.
Kinolau include mountain peaks and cliffs, coconut palms, ʻōhiʻa trees, dogs, red fish, and caterpillars.

Lono

Lono is associated with oxygen, the atmosphere and natural weather phenomenon, and is responsible for ensuring growth and abundance.
Kinolau include rainbows, cloud formations, winds, hue (gourds), ʻuala (sweet potato), and pigs.

Kālai Kiʻi

The practice of kālai kiʻi or the carving of images is just one of many native Hawaiian traditions being revived among our island communities today. In this very hālau, cultural practitioners engage in kālai kiʻi and continue to teach the practice to younger generations. The kiʻi that you see today at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau are produced by descendents of the area who have preserved the tradition of carving over many generations. The last restoration effort here took place in 2004.