Post #800220 by Tiki Shark Art on Wed, Jan 22, 2020 9:29 PM

ALOHA TIKI TRIBE!
E Komo Mi - Welcome to Low-Brow University!
Today’s topic is “Hawaiian Mythology: The Myth of The Magic Talking Spear”.

The Spear talks to who’s welding it, telling them how to win in battle.
Prince Ka-ui-lani uses the spear to defeat a notorious sea-kupua (sea monster).
The prince wins by carving several wooden warriors
which the spear brings to life. Together they out maneuver the monster.

Recently I came across the Hawaiian word “Ka-koa” meaning “warriors” but koa can also mean “wood”.
Made me wonder if there was a connection.

Koa is a certain type of tree that grows only in Hawaii.
It is the most abundant native tree in Hawai’i and Koa wood is prized for it’s deep luster.
However, Ka-Koa is “warriors.” Could it be many Hawaiian warriors standing resembled a grove of sturdy Koa trees?
Or, is the myth of “The Magic Talking Spear” describing a connection of the word for “Koa tree” to the word for “Koa (warrior)”?

Hmmm, good question, heck if I know! Remember, no one wrote down all these things and most true Hawaiians were wiped out by disease so hardly anyone was left an' passed down the clear verbal Hawaiian culture. 99% of folks are just making most of this up.

ALOHA!