HB
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 592
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HB
Weird US Investigates Some Small Wonders: the Miniature Menahune of Hawaii
When the first modern Hawaiians reached the islands in the third century AD
they found evidence that others had been there before them. They called these
people Menehunes, and attributed the dams and small viaducts, such as the
Menehune Ditch (which carries water for irrigation from the Waimea River) to their
great strength and prowess as master builders.
Menehune are usually described as playful and even mischievous. They have
distended bellies. They are hairy, muscular and two or three feet tall, with bushy
eyebrows over large eyes. They have short noses. Their diet was said to have
consist of puddings made of squash, sweet potatoes, and taro leaves. They sleep
in caves by day and work all night, and love racing and wrestling sports. When they
speak it is the sound of a low hum so as not to attract attention to themselves.
One site in Hawaii often credit to skills of the Menehune is the Alekoko Fishpond in
Nawiliwili. The 1600 year old dammed holding pen is said to have been constructed
by the Menehune at the request of Chief Ali’I, and was built in a single night.
Menehune would only work at night and only if they were not watched. Menehune
are thought to be notoriously shy creatures and would abandon a construction
project in the middle if they heard so much as a dog barking. This seems to have
been the case at the Alekoko pond, as one of the retaining walls was finished at a
later date using different stone.
The Menehune used lava rock because it is very strong. They are said to have
been carried to the fishpond from Kalaheo, employing a sort of bucket brigade of
thousands of Menehune passing the stones by hand.
According to legend, the Menehune inherited the islands after their war with the
Nawao, who are said to have been full sized wild men who inhabited the islands
before them. When modern Hawaiian’s arrived at the islands they began to inter-
breed with the Menehune. Soon though, the newcomers began to enslave and
even kill the smaller islanders and force them into the hard labor projects of quar-
rying stone and building. The Menehune began to retreat into the mountains and
forests to escape their oppressors. Over time they developed a lifestyle in which
they could survive in their environment without being detected.
Some historians believe the Menehune to be more than just a quaint island legend.
They say that there did, and perhaps still does exist a race of small Pigmy-like
people who did and may still inhabit the furthest reaches of Hawaii’s forested
mountains and ancient volcanoes. As proof they have cited the small burial cham-
bers and undersized graves found in remote caves throughout the islands. Still
others claim that the Menehune might actually be some species of undiscovered
Hawaiian primate. One thin is for sure though: Whether they are fact or fantasy,
people or primates, the Menehune have left an indelible mark on the legends and
the landscape of the Hawaii islands.
According to the Encyclopedia Mythica by Hugh D. Mailly:
The folklore of many nations around the world includes stories of magical little
people. The most famous of course, are the leprechauns of Ireland. In Hawaii,
it is the mischievous Menehune who are said to haunt the deep forests or the
mountains of Pu'ukapele ("Hills of Pele"). They come out mostly at night to play
tricks on people, or to serve them if they feel that way inclined.
The mythology of the Menehune is as old as the beginnings of Polynesian history.
Some say that the great god Maui himself, was one of the tiny creatures. When
the first Polynesians arrived in Hawaii, they found dams, fishponds, and even
Heiaus (temples), all presumably built by the Menehune who were already there,
living in caves.
The creatures are said to be about two feet high, although some have been seen
as small as six inches, capable of fitting in the palm of someone's hand. They are
always naked, but the long straight hair that falls to their knees keeps them warm
and discreet. Apparently no two of them are the same, and they can be so moody
as to be malicious and dangerous one day, and simply harmless the next. But they
are always tricky, and therefore should be avoided, unless a special favor is abso-
lutely needed of them.
In the old times, some Hawaiians married Menehune girls, who were said to be
quite fair, but needed to be shown how to make a fire and eat cooked food,
because their own diet consisted only of starchy raw vegetables. The services
of Menehune expert builders and craftsmen can be requested. This is especially
so, if you can trace your family tree back to one of them. They then act like
benevolent godparents. Many a major project, such as the preparation of a wed-
ding feast, has been completed in a single night by the super strong little gods,
while all humans slept.
Menehune are afraid of owls. On the island of Kauai, the Menehune sometimes
sneak in among the people there and pull too many tricks. That is when the owl
god of Paupueo (owl hill) summons all the owls of Kauai to chase the Menehune
back into the forest.
The little ones are fond of dancing, and singing, and of sports, such as shooting
arrows. Sometimes they use magic arrows, to pierce the heart of angry persons,
and make them feel love instead. They also truly enjoy diving off cliffs into the
surf. If you hear splashes in the night at Kaanapali, it is possibly a Menehune
diving off Black Rock! But you would have to move impossibly quickly to ever
see one.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/menehune.html
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