TSA
Joined: Aug 31, 2006
Posts: 3978
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TSA
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!
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