Aloha Lā Hānau e ka mōʻī ʻo David Kalākaua! He was born on November 16, 1836, to Chief Caesar Kapaʻakea and Chiefess Analea Keohokāole near Pūowaina (Punchbowl).

During a time when Hawaiian traditions were in decline, Kalākaua was determined to revive the culture and restore pride among his people. His guiding motto, “Hoʻoulu Lāhui,” meaning to increase the nation, reflected his vision for the future.

Kalākaua`s efforts ensured that hula, music, and other cultural practices continue to thrive today. We honor him for his kindness, resilience, and aloha.

#dtl #dtlhawaii #hawaii #hawaiianculture #kalakaua #kingkalakaua #merriemonarch #merriemonarchfestival

Makahiki season, beginning with the sighting of makaliʻi (the Pleiades constellation), is a time to honor Lono, the Hawaiian god of agriculture, procreation, and rain.

From late October or early November until February or March, work pauses, and both the aliʻi and makaʻāinana join together to celebrate their hard work through feasting, competing, and playing games like ʻulu maika (disk rolling), mokomoko (boxing), and kūkini (foot racing). It was a time to honor the abundance of ʻāina and wai that sustain and nourish our islands.

During Makahiki, Lono was traditionally honored through a carefully crafted wooden image assembled on every island. This image stood around twelve feet tall, featuring a carved head at the top and a crosspiece at the neck, adorned with white kapa cloth, ferns, and feather lei.

Known as the akua loa for its long circuit around the island, Lono traveled clockwise, stopping at each moku, where konohiki presented offerings for Makahiki, including feathers, pigs, kapa, and poi.

#dtl #dtlhawaii #culture #community #hawaiianculture #hawaiianhistory #lonoikamakahiki #makahiki

Kamehameha V was the first Mōʻī who did not name a successor, which led to the Hawaiian Kingdom’s first election in 1873. William Charles Lunalilo and David Kalākaua were chosen as candidates, with Lunalilo ultimately winning. However, his reign was brief, as he passed just a year later. In 1874, a second election was held, and our Merrie Monarch, King Kalākaua, was elected to lead the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Voting was, and remains, as essential and important as every other initiative and movement to aloha ʻāina, to kākoʻo kānaka, and hoʻoulu lāhui. By engaging fully in the political process, we contribute to a brighter future for our islands and the generations to come. Be sure to VOTE! It`s our kuleana. 📮

PC: @kamehamehaschools

#dtl #dtlhawaii #culture #community #election #voting #votehawaii #hawaiivotiinig #hawaiielection #alohaaina #kakookanaka #hooululahui #kingkalakaua

Liholiho was born in Hilo to High Chiefess Keōpūolani and Kamehameha I in 1797. Although the exact day of his birth is largely unknown, we know he was born in the month of November.

Ascending to the throne in 1819 after Kamehameha’s passing, Liholiho shared power with Kaʻahumanu, who served as Kuhina Nui. Just six months into his reign, he abolished the kapu system, the religious and political code of Hawaiʻi, by eating a meal with Kaʻahumanu and his mother Keopuolani, which was taboo.

Liholiho`s reign was also noted for his commitment to preserving the independence of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In 1823, he and his wife, Kamāmalu, sailed to England to meet with King George IV. Tragically, they contracted measles and passed away before they could meet Captain George. Today, we celebrate Liholiho’s legacy and the significant changes he brought to our history.

#dtl #dtlhawaii #culture #community #hawaii #liholiho #kamehameha #hauolilahanau #alii

Hauʻoli Lā Heleuī! 🎃 To close out this spooky season, we’re sharing one last chicken skin story.

The Green Lady of Wahiawā is said to be a mysterious figure with hair like flowing seaweed, webbed feet, and scales covering her skin. Kūpuna recall being told stories as children about a moʻowahine dwelling in the Wahiawā gulch and nearby areas that could be the same lady. She`s been seen on several occasions in the Wahiawā gulch.

One story says she lost her children in the area and has wandered ever since, searching endlessly for them. Another tells of a flood that swept her away as she tried to save her infant, only to have the child torn from her grasp.

To this day, her presence is said to linger, haunting the Wahiawā gulch, Botanical Gardens, and even the grounds of Wahiawā Elementary School.

#culture #community #hawaii #halloween #halloweenstories #halloweenhawaii #ghoststories #wahiawa

#DTLProjectHighlight ~ Kupōpolo Heiau is located in the ahupua‘a of Kawailoa within the moku of Waialua on Oʻahu. Kūpopolo Heiau is believed to have been constructed during the rule of Kahāhana, the late 18th-century ruler of O‘ahu, who was in conflict with Kekaulike of Kaua‘i.

To seek guidance on whether to invade Kaua‘i, Kahāhana asked his kahuna nui, Ka‘opulupulu, for insight. In response, Ka‘opulupulu instructed that a heiau be built to receive a sign. After completing Kūpopolo and making offerings there, Ka‘opulupulu received no vision. He then directed that a second heiau, Pu‘u O Mahuka, be built on a higher point overlooking Waimea Bay. From this elevated vantage, Ka‘opulupulu received a vision advising against an invasion of Kaua‘i.

In 2016, DTL assessed the land use options and limitations of this property to inform stewardship and educational initiatives. This evaluation focused on the cultural restoration potential of Kūpopolo Heiau and included the development of a landscape plan to enhance ongoing engagement at the site.

#dtl #dtlhawaii #strategy #planning #communityengagement #projectmanager #projectmanagement #hawaii #waialua #kupopoloheiau #heiau

We’re counting down to Heleuī with a few more of Hawaiʻi’s spookiest stories 👻

One of Oʻahu`s most well-known urban legends is Morgan`s Corner in the Nuʻuanu Pali area. The story tells of a young couple who parked under an old tree one night. When their car wouldn`t start, the boy left to find help, leaving his girlfriend alone. She fell asleep to scraping sounds on the roof, thinking it was branches. Police arrived in the morning and asked her to step away, but as she glanced back, she saw it was her boyfriend scraping the car.

Nuʻuanu Pali has a history of eerie happenings. Moʻolelo says that carrying pork over the Pali can anger Pele, breaking a truce with the pig god Kamapuaʻa. Many drivers claim their cars mysteriously stall until they throw the pork out. The Pali was also the site of a bloody battle between the armies of King Kamehameha I and Maui chief Kalanikupule. Many warriors fell off the cliff during the battle, and their ghosts are often seen at night today.

PC: Mysteries of Hawaiʻi

#culture #community #hawaii #halloween #halloweenstories #halloweenhawaii #ghoststory #pali #nuuanupali #nuuanupalilookout #morganscorner