By: Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, Century 21 Liberty Homes, Mililani, HI 96789 (Localism.com Featured Article)
HAWAIIAN Spirits and Superstitions covered only a sliver of our Spirits and Superstions in Hawaii. Remember I mentioned that we had our home blessed because our home was in the path of the warriors marching? We will now embark on one Hawaiian legend, ....The Nightmarchers.
The Nightmarchers are the ghosts of ancient Hawaiian high ranking warriors. They say that they come forth during the night from their burial sites to march where they battled or march on to other sacred areas. It is said that if you live near their path of marching you will see their torches or hear the chanting, the marching and/or the drums beating faintly. Place ti plants or leaves around your house to keep away evil spirits and the "nightmarchers" to avoid the area as well. The most famous of these "marching" paths of the Nightmarcher's is along the Pali where Kamehameha fought the last battle.
In Hawaii, the Menehune, are "little people" that stand two feet high. Similar to pixi's or trolls the Menehune roam the deep forests at night. They are very strong and are master builders and said to accomplish many projects over night! There are many stories how they came to be in Hawaii. One version is that they were the first settlers in Hawaii that came from the descendants of the Marquesas Islanders and resided here between the years of 0-350 A.D. Supposedly, the "bigger people" from Tahiti came and the Menehune ran off into the caves in mountains and only came out at night for food.
My mother was born and raised on Kauai with her 7 sisters and 1 brother. Later on, one of my Auntie's married and moved to Waimea Kauai. When my cousin and I were 10 and 11 our mom's would let us go to Kauai to visit my Aunt and Uncle for the summer. She lived right on Menehune Road and at the end of the road was the "Menehune Ditch". The high chief of Waimea, "Ola" received aid from the Menehune to divert water from the Waimea River to their taro patches and supposedly made this ancient acqueduct overnight!
Anyway, my cousin claimed she must be a Menehune as well because she was very short and tried to go in the passageway in the Menehune Ditch in the mountain......I ran away afraid that something might happen! (The opening is in the picture to the right)
The following subject on Tiki Gods is dedicated to Neal Bloom...who has only seen something about this on the Brady Bunch......Here ya go bud!
The Tiki Gods
Ku: (God of War) Husband of Hina in Hawaiian mythology. Ku means standing upright. Hina means falling down. Maybe that meant they were a balanced couple? Ku worshipped with human sacrifice which was not the case with the other of these main tiki gods.
Lono: (God of Fertility and Peace) Lono decended to Earth on a rainbow to marry Laka and existed with the three other gods before the world was created. Lono is identified with rain and food plants and god of peace. I think they all balance each other out in one way or another.
Kane (God of light and life) and he created the sky, the earth and the upper heaven and he owned a seashell when placed on the ocean turned into a huge sailboat. Kane is identified with the sun in agricultural conditions. "Kan-e" means man and was the heavenly father of all men. The father of all living things and nature.
Kanaloa (God of the Sea) and symbolized by the squid and called upon to for the building of the canoe. Kanaloa was also called upon to to point out hidden springs. This god was considered the evil one opposing Kane (the good one) In this respect it is the wild and taming forces such as the popular Yin-Yang and supposedly this idea came from the European missionaires trying to show the Christian/Satan images.
Thanks for joining me once again for a little more insight into "About Hawaii"!
If you are interested in more "About Hawaii" stories please click on any of the following links:
Points of Interest and Entertainment in Hawaii - Part 1
Preservation of Hawaiian Culture, Land and History (localism.com featured)
Preservation AND Development for Ka'u, Hawaii?
Hawaiian "Ono" Entrees, Sides and a Luau?
Hawaii Photo Post and Virtual Tours!
HAWAIIAN Spirits and Superstitions (localism.com featured)
What Makes a House a Home in Honolulu, Hawaii? (localism.com featured)
Blogging about "VOG" in Hawaii
Visitor and Newcomer Safety Tips for Hawaii!
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Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocation Move PCS. Listening to YOUR needs for your Hawaii Home Buying or Hawaii Home Selling experience for a smooth & successful landing! © 2008
The History Behind DIAMOND HEAD Crater - Honolulu County- Hawaii
What You Didn't Know about the HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
State Farm Insurance Company: Mililani Shopping Center (update!!!!)
Coastal Windows- Waipio Gentry Business Park
Life's Curve Balls- Ah...the Bliss of Responsible Condo Living (UPDATE)
Sharing a Piece of Paradise.....East Oahu, Hawaii
A Paradise Sunrise at Makapu'u Hawaii (LOCALISM FEATURED)
The USS Kitty Hawk Arrives in Pearl Harbor Hawaii
Mililani Town, Hawaii: Recreation Centers and Fun for All Ages!
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Beautiful post! Love Hawaii.....quite jealous that you live there:) Thank you for sharing the interesting info!
Cool stuff! I always love your blog, Celeste. Have I said that yet?
What a fascinating post! You do an excellent job bringing interest, life and learning together in your well- crafted pieces. I really enjoyed reading this and as always, I'll be looking forward to more.
Ana: You're very welcome...sorry....but you'll have to live with the big "j" until you come visit us!
Jeff: Yes you have and thank you very much!
Christina: And you sure know how to compliment a lady! (an old lady at that hahah!)
Sally..... I wish you didn't mention the Brandy Bunch and Neal. This was going to be my first comment when I saw the pictures, before I even read your post. So.....didn't I see one of these Island idols in a Brady Bunch episode? lol It was when Greg was surfing. ;o)
Seriously.... this was very interesting. Thanks for sharing this. I like this kind of stuff.
Jeff: I sure am having fun as well as a learning experience myself. I have come up with so many ideas from subjects that I only heard of growing up...now I'm reliving memories as well as learning more! Glad you liked it! Thanks!
Sally,
I love all the different stories and traditions that Hawaii has!
Thank you for taking the time to share these with us mainlanders!
Aloha,
Lucky :)
Lucky: No problem! I started writing all About Hawaii to share with you all (so you can tell your relocation client's haha) and to share with the public and consumer as well. Interesting stuff huh? Thanks!
Sally- I love these posts.. the history of Hawaii is fascinating.. fortunately I've learned a bit over the years with my parents living on the Big Island.. The picture of the nightmarchers is stunning..
How cool! Kind of creepy...but fascinating! We don't have any interesting stories for Texas-that I know of.
Antoher awesome post!
Kaye: The ones who are fascinated I know are coming tonight. It's great isn't it? How about some folklore and stuff from your area? I hope you call me when you come to visit!
Steph: Hey...why don't you write one on your area? I bet a lot of legends and spirits with the Alamo and stuff (Is that around you? Well, see. If it's not then you can write about something in your area...I looove this kind of stuff!)
I don't know of any cool stuff like that for around here. I guess I could do one on the settler's of the area.
Steph: That would be great! The history of the area is something to be able to tell people who are relocating...with as many military we have here...you never know when you'll get a referral and that's some interesting stuff.....
I don't want to take away from your post so I'll make it short. History and settlement is always something people want to know. The street names always bring up the question.
Steph: Get started!
Sally , I am in total AWE of this post - I love your explanations of tradition and I find them so intriguing. Thanks for sharing a piece of your culture that is absolutely amazing.
Ines: Just like you! I'm growing up Ines already...haha! I love my blog too! (don't have one like you do but this is just fine for taking up my time...that I really don't have...haha)
This IS you blog Sally - and a great one at that! (but please don't grow up....that would really be a shame)
Beautiful photos Sally, and good information on Hawaii!! What a wonderful and informative post!
Terri: You know, the tiki one I took a couple of years ago when hubbie's gramma came to visit and we did the touristy thing with them....I have no clue which ones these are as there are minor gods etc. as well.
Sally I love learning so much about Hawaii and it's rich culture from you. My mother visited Hawaii in the late 80's and brought me back a little fertility statue. I hadn't thought of that until I was reading about Lono.
Ashley: Go night night..okay, you wanted to leave a comment first...thanks for your comments all the time! Hey, is that the thing with the ...okay, I know which one that is...I hope you don't have it on display..haha!
Thanks for the storytime, Sally! I loved this! I've never heard any Hawaiian legends or stories -- I'll be a totally interested audience any time! (The more you teach us about Hawaii, the more we want to visit!)
Sally, Great post... I did not want to say anything but I was thinking the Brady Bunch also...Glad to know I was not the only one.
Sally, another great post about Hawaii! I had heard a little about some of the legends -- yeah on the Brady Bunch -- well, besides that, once when I was there a tour guide touched on some of the legends. Anyway, your version is in more detail and you share the beautiful pictures. I know you want some of us to go to Hawaii on vacation so you can meet us! Wouldn't that be fun!?!
Sally--Your posts about your native state are so beautiful. Thanks once again for sharing! :)
Gee Sally,
Thanks so much for the mention and for embarassing me with the Brady Bunch :).Pretty funny.
I still would like to visit Hawaii and the acient burial grouds..but not the brady bunch, I can see that 100 times on TV. Thats pretty keen of you.
Sarah: I hope I get to meet some of you all who have made an impact on my life and writing! Come on down!
Mathew: You're funny...everyone seems to relate to the Brady Bunch...Neal said it first..haha.
Judy: Yes, I do! It also gives some insight into our cultures here so when people come to visit or relocate they will know more.
Teri: Thanks for dropping by!
Hey Neal! That was pretty funny, huh? Hey, and it's featured in Localism so more out there huh? When you get here with TLW, BB and all those that are wanting to come you will get dinner! Hey, a luau! Hope you're having a good time, Neal!
Very Cool!
I'm subscribing - I am fascinated with Hawaii and you've got some great content here. My sister is going to Oahu on Thursday. I'm very jealous but I'll go someday I'm sure.
Abraham: Tell her to take plenty of pictures! One day you'll get here as well...everyone does. Then when you get here...call!
Sally I don't have it on display! Actually I don't even have it anymore. I didn't think it was a good idea to bring it from one marriage to the next. mmmm Maybe I should have gotten a new one and had tons of little babies running around! Oh well....Can't wait to see the next installment in your virtual Hawaii tour!
Sally - I so enjoy your posts. This is such great information about island culture.
Ashley: You're funny! I wouldn't display that thing anyway...haha! Too old to have any more kids so at this point it'd just make hubbie jealous hahahahahaah!
Marlene: I sure have been enjoying doing them as well! Waiting for the time to pass to meet you!
I have been up to Pali Look out at night several times. I haven't seen or heard anything, but I have many friends who will not go up there.
Yeah Yeah...go off the subject....hey I am going to the Grand Canyon tomorrow...didn't the Brady Bunch visit there too? Should I ask them for the TIKI?
Pali: You brave guy you! My brother went cruising up there back in the 70's and there were gunshots from another car...not ghosts....for real.
Neal: Off subject is welcome if in good fun. Dinner anyone? Take pictures!
I did actually blow three tires once on the hair pin curve back in the 80s. I wonder if I had pork in the car. That was before I knew of the legends.
Randy: You're pretty funny! You see...you think it's only stories but when we think back to our own experiences it's a different story. Was it at night?
Hi Sally! I'm sorry I missed this one. I love Menehune stories! I love the one thats told about the Pali Highway although I never tested it for myself.
Lysa: No problem! We eventually get around to each other's sooner or later...kind of hard to keep up all the time. I am "reliving" some of this while writing and so interesting!
Cheryl: Great place for a vacation! Thanks for your kind comments!
Great post Sally. You've made the Week in Review!
Michael: Thanks! I went over there! WooHoo!
Sally You never cease to amaze me. This is a very incredible blog! So interesing! I even emailed it to a few friends! Thank you for taking the time to share.
Jim: Thanks! I'm hope the people you emailed to will appreciate the "weird" stuff...haha!