Aloha kākou e nā hoa makamaka e heluhelu nei i ia ʻāpana pepa. Welina!
I love this time of the year when everything turns green from the rains, the air is cooler, the surf is up and sometimes a glimpse of lightning or snow makes a quick appearance. It’s definitely sweater weather in Hawaiʻi.
This month I thought I’d share a part of a longer chant that is affiliated with Lono and can be used during the Makahiki. Within the lines is a list of aka (signs) that are recognized as Lono indicating a weather system, typically rain, is on its way towards you.
This section of the chant talks about all the atmospheric happenings that we can expect during the wet season. Personally, I’d use this chant during the opening of the Makahiki ceremony, but since we have been having such good rains here in Hilo, I’m compelled to share the many types of rainbows and colors seen in the sky in the morning or just before sunset.
Why don’t we go out and look for some of these signs of winter? Wishing that your parched lands receive the restorative rains of the season! Aloha!
Lono descends.
The essence of Lono in Kahiki.
The cloud banks blow
At the arrival of Lono.
The intense fully formed rainbow descends
At the arrival of Lono.
The vibrant low rainbow leans
At the arrival of Lono.
The red rainbow descends
At the arrival of Lono.
The ruddy red clouds descend
At the arrival of Lono.
The rainbow tumbles
At the arrival of Lono.
The suspended rainbow descends,
At the arrival of Lono.
The orange clouds topple
At the arrival of Lono.
For Kū, for Kāne, for Kanaloa
The billowing clouds rise in Kahiki.
Appear and live!
Hina akula ʻo Lono.
Ke aka o Lono i Kahiki.
Hina aʻela ka pae ʻōpua
I ka hiki ʻana o Lono.
Hina aʻela ka ʻōnohiʻula,
I ka hiki ʻana o Lono.
Hina aʻela ka pūnohuʻula
I ka hiki ʻana o Lono.
Hina aʻela ka uakoko,
I ka hiki ʻana o Lono.
Hina aʻela ke ao mākoko,
I ka hiki ʻana o Lono.
Hina aʻela ke ānuenue,
I ka hiki ʻana o Lono.
Hina aʻela ka ʻālewalewa,
I ka hiki ʻana o Lono.
Hina aʻela ka ʻōpua kiʻikiʻi,
I ka hiki ʻana o Lono.
No Kū, no Kāne, No Kanaloa,
Ka pūkoʻa kū i Kahiki.
E kū e ola!
