Cultural Connections

Forest birds are tied intimately to Hawaiian culture, and this pilina continues today. Here are a few examples of how:

Native forest birds, like the ʻakikiki, are regarded as conduits for akua, the divine, functioning as the kinolau, or physical manifestations of deities. Among some families, they are ‘aumakua or family gods.

ʻIʻiwi and other manu are valued for their brightly colored feathers, once used in Hawaiian featherwork, signifying royalty and embodying akua.

The critically endangered 'akikiki, endemic to Kaua'i. (PC: Graham Talaber)

From top left to bottom right: Adult 'i'iwi (PC: Bryan Shirota), illustration of a kia manu or traditional bird catcher (PC: Hyperspective), an ʻahu ʻula (feather half cape) and a mahiole (teather helmet) from the Bishop Museum collection.

ʻElepaio and other forest birds are part of traditional knowledge systems that continue to impart ecological wisdom today.

Manu appear in numerous traditional songs, sayings, and stories as representations of natural, spiritual, and human phenomena.

Above: 'Elepaio were observed by kahuna kalai wa'a (canoe makers) as they would forage for insects from the bark of unsound or rotten trees., marking trees that were unfit for canoes. (PC: Bryan Shirota)

Right: The ākohekohe is one of many species to appear in Hawaiian legend. In the story of La'ieikawai, chiefess La'ieikawai lives on the wings of Hawaiian honeycreepers, including the ākohekohe. (PC: Jim Denny).

"Every person, every being, has a specific spirit that's attuned to them and their mana. And feathers are what would protect one's mana and contain it."

Michael Kawika Lum-Nelmida
Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner

Feathers in a kāhili (standard) from the Bishop Museum collection.

Hawaiian Featherwork

Traditional Hawaiian featherwork exemplifies the importance of native forest birds to traditional Hawaiian society. Kia manu (bird catchers) captured small native forest birds primarily for their vibrant feathers, which were used for creating chiefly garments and accessories that were symbols of rank and prestige:

ʻahuʻula (capes and cloaks)
mahiole (helmets)
kāhili (standards)
lei hulu (feather garlands)

The brilliant feathers in these ʻaʻahu (garments) linked the ali‘i class with the upland realm of the gods, the wao akua. An immense amount of effort went into making these symbols of chiefly status. Each feather had to be tied individually onto the woven fabric net that formed the base of the cloak.

Far above: Traditional feather work continues today but feathers of other species or artificial plumage are used instead of honeycreeper feathers.

Above: An ʻahu ʻula (feather half cape) from the Bishop Museum collection.

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