Aloha kākou e nā hoa makamaka. Howzit Gang.
In the upcoming months I thought it would be fun to share some kūpuna wisdom by introducing you to some of my favorite Hawaiian phenological connections that are specific to Hawaiʻi’s environment.
You might be asking yourself, what is phenology? Phenology is the study of natural cycles, seasonal or natural phenomena as they relate to the timing of plants, animals, and climate activities. Data of parallel forms, growth cycles, and climate processes have been observed for generations and have been recorded in poetic song, story, or prayer. These poetic compositions highlight natural indicators that inform us humans on the conditions of a healthy or unhealthy environment.
For this article, I chose to feature two creatures in the kai (ocean) that are not the same species of fish but have been included in the origin chant called the Kumulipo. The Kumulipo is a pule hoʻolaʻa aliʻi, a prayer that sanctifies chiefs.
The creatures, timings, and environmental activities mentioned within the Kumulipo are all important to a chief’s rulership. On one hand, the Kumulipo teaches leaders resource, land, and people management. On the other hand, the Kumulipo acknowledges and highlights relationships that seem unrelated but are important for the continuum of human existence. Apologies, I digress.
This article’s phenological connection is a short one and features the relationship between the laupalaʻī (Zebrasoma flavescens) called pala for short, and the kala (Naso unicornis).
The Kumulipo says, “Hānau ka pala, hānau ke kala i ke kai lā, holo!” Paraphrasing: The yellow tang spawns, the bluespine unicornfish spawns together in the ocean, swim!
These poetic lines describe the aggregation and spawning cycles of the yellow tang and bluespine unicornfish, which is around spring and summertime. Their spawning cycles coincide with the fluctuating ocean temperatures that are nutrient rich.
These two fish species are important indicators for ceremonies connected to primary akua (deities/environmental processes) like Kāne and Kanaloa. When the pala and kala are active, communities prepared for the communal fishing seasons that followed shortly thereafter.
Lauʻīpala literally means yellowed tī leaf, which was used for Kāne ceremonies to release one from negative circumstances. Similarly, the word kala means to remove or release one from any transgressions or negative impact one may have caused or acquired. Look for these fish the next time you are near the kai during these summer months.
And that’s your Hawaiian Phenological Connection for this article. A hui hou kākou!
