Koa, Hawaiian King of Trees

 

Brave, bold, fearless warrior is the meaning of Koa, 

the wood of kings in ancient Hawaii. 

Highly valued for its strength, beauty and medicinal qualities, 

it could only be owned by the Ali’i (royalty).

Natives used the magnificent wood to craft sculpted images of gods, build canoes, surfboards, paddles, and spears. The Koa tree is the monarch of the Hawaiian forest and can reach between 80-100 feet in height with a diameter of more than 5 feet. Several canoes could be carved from just one of these massive trees. Hawaiians believed that the brave, warrior-like Mana (spiritual energy) of Koa would be reflected in their canoes and sailors. The Koa voyaging canoes became the Polynesian fleet, which navigated the Pacific a thousand years before Columbus discovered the new world.

Today the enchanted wood of the Koa tree is still highly valued because of its wonderful colors and spectacular grain. It is used to build very expensive furniture, picture frames and many crafts as well as musical instruments.

Koa has been a sacred wood for centuries, representing integrity, strength, beauty and protection. 

Acacia Koa is the largest endemic tree in Hawaii. It does not exist anywhere else in the world. The Hawaiian Koa forest established itself about one million years before the arrival of man.
Gaining as much as an inch in diameter per year, Koa is the one of the fastest growing trees in Hawaii. Unfortunately, because of logging, clearing highland forests for cattle farming and lack of reforestation, Koa has been depleted and is considered endangered.
The life of many birds and insects as well as a large variety of plants depends on the magnificent Koa tree.

Koa and Pueo were created in honor of Koa, the Hawaiian King of Trees. 

Koa and Pueo (Strength and Owl)

Birth Date: ‘Apelila 28, 2021 (04-28-21)

Koa and Pueo inspire us to welcome life’s challenges with an open heart 

and grow from the valuable lessons they contain.

Rejoicing in the splendors of nature, Koa climbs higher and higher up the mountain into the Hawaiian forest. Koa is named after the Hawaiian King of Trees.

 

He embraces the strong, fearless Mana of the magnificent Koa tree.

Pueo is Koa’s sacred Aumakua (guardian spirit). Pueo appears whenever Koa calls on her. She lands on Koa’s right arm, where he greets her with love and respect.
Koa knows that Pueo carries Mana, supernatural powers. At important times of change, she sends messages to Koa through visions and dreams. Koa always follows Pueo’s guidance, knowing that it will keep him and his Menehune Ohana (family) save from all harm and lead them to happiness and good fortune.
Koa and Pueo walk companionably through the enchanting Koa forest, honoring the trees’ brave, warrior-like Mana (spiritual energy). Together they rejoice in the peace and happiness that surrounds them.

Koa’s Tutu (grandmother) crafted a special amulet using one of Pueo’s feathers and a green crystal to inspire spiritual strength, unity and love.
Tutu also sewed Koa’s Malu (wraparound) and hat out of red cotton with a maile leaf design and decorated the hat with 2 Maile leaves. Maile is the plant of eternal love. Tutu crocheted matching green underwear and shoes. All these things were Tutu's gifts of Aloha (love) to her beloved Mo’opuna Kane (grandson).

Koa is about 4” tall fitting in the palm of your hand. The body is made out of doll skin and wired for flexibility. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face. Koa has tiny little hands and feet, ears, buttocks, and a belly button.
Pueo is about 1 ½” tall. The body is made out of faux fur with feathers and partially crocheted.
All accessories were individually handcrafted.
Doll care: Gently brush the dolls and their clothing with a soft dry toothbrush to remove dust. Always brush the faces and bodies upwards towards the hair. Don’t brush the hair!

Koa and Pueo are one of a kind Hawaiian Art Dolls. Every bit of them has been lovingly handcrafted to create new friends who will last a lifetime.
Koa and Pueo are display dolls and collector’s items bringing you the spiritual power of Hawaii. They come with their story and a certificate of authenticity.

Koa and Pueo reflect the strong, fearless Mana of the magnificent Hawaiian Koa tree.

They are ready to be your new friends and climb their way into your heart.

www.Etsy.com

Surfing Hawaii!

 

Iniki (Strong Wind)

Birth Date: 'Apelila 25, 2021 (04-25-21)

Iniki inspires us to surrender to the winds and waves of life with focus and balance, 

allowing them to safely carry us to our highest goals.

Iniki's best friend and greatest teacher is the ocean. Iniki is a He’e Nalu (surfer) boy. He is named after the strong winds of the Pacific Ocean.
When the surf is up, Iniki can’t wait to get into the ocean. His heart dances with Hopupu (excitement) as he eagerly anticipates the challenges of the great waves.

Iniki loves the Pacific Ocean and the surf has been his greatest teacher, evoking deep respect and humbleness within him. He knows that every wave along with the wind presents a challenge of going with its flow. Iniki watches the waves, feels them inside, and connects to their Mana (spiritual energy).

Like the wind, he flies along the sea on his Olo (surfboard), riding the waves with focus and balance, Iniki finds the perfect attitude between tension and flexibility and rides the great wave home. It is the very best feeling in the world.

Surfing is magical!

It has become his way of life!

Iniki's Aumakua (guardian spirit) is Honu, the turtle. Iniki is deeply connected with the ancient wisdom of the Honu. The Hawaiian Honu represents long life, safety, peace, and good luck. Iniki always feels safe when he surfs because he knows that his Aumakua is watching over him.
In honor of his Aumakua, Iniki wears a necklace with a Honu pendant around his neck. Like all the other, cool Menehune surfer boys Iniki also has a small, turquoise earring in his left ear.

Iniki and his Kuku(grandfather) made the Olo (surfboard) together. First, they chose the right Hawaiian Wiliwili tree for the board. Before cutting the tree, they faced towards the sea and said a prayer of thanks for the wood they would use. They honored the spirit of the tree by burying a fish beneath it. The wooden Olo with the carved Honu is Iniki’s most treasured possession. He always carries it with him, even when he goes to sleep.
Iniki’s Tutu (grandmother) sewed his red shorts with a white Hibiscus flower design. She crocheted matching turquoise shoes and gave Iniki a head band to keep his hair out of his eyes while he surfs.
All these things were Tutu’s and Kuku's sacred gifts of Aloha (Love) to their beloved Mo'opuna Kane (grandson).

Iniki is about 4” tall fitting in the palm of your hand. The body is made out of doll skin and wired for flexibility. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face. Iniki has tiny little hands and feet, ears, buttocks, and a belly button. All accessories were individually handcrafted.

Doll care: Gently brush the dolls and their clothing with a soft dry toothbrush to remove dust. Always brush the faces and bodies upwards towards the hair. Don’t brush the hair!

Iniki is a one of a kind collectible display dolls handcrafted by Hawaiian Dolls. He comes with his story and a certificate of authenticity.

Iniki reflects the spiritual powers of the Hawaiian Winds and Waters.

He is ready to be your new friend and surf his way into your heart.

www.Etsy.com  

Hunters of Aloha

Malama, the Caretaker and Pua’a, the Pig

Hunters of Aloha

Birthdate: ‘Apelila 10, 2021 (04/10/21)

Learn to be aware and watchful like Malama and Pua’a!

Let their Mana (spiritual energy) of strength, courage and Aloha flow into you.

Malama, the caretaker and Pua’a, the pig are Hunters of Aloha and the Menehune’s guardians. Together they walk fearlessly through the beautiful forest in the Kaiholena Mountains watching for dangers and threats to their beloved Ohana (family).

Malama, carrying his Ihe (spear), and Pua’a with his tusks are always ready 

to protect their loved ones and shield them in a safe cloud of Aloha.

Pua’a is Malama’s Aumakua (Guardian Spirit). Malama and Pua’a are so closely connected that they have become inseparable friends.

Malama and Pua'a honor Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian Pig God, who was the protector of the pigs and cascading waterfalls bestowing abundant growth to the lands of

"Kauhale o Kamapua`a

Wehiwehi i ka nahele

Ka uhi pa`a ka noe

Me anuenue i ke awawa

Home of Kamapua`a

Adorned with growth

Covered with mist

With rainbows in the valley"

According to Hawaiian legend, Kamapua’a was born on the island of Oahu. Kamapua’a had superhuman powers and was often referred to as Pua’a Akua (Hog God). As a kupua (demigod) he could change at will from a handsome loveable man to a destructive hog.

Pele, Hawaiian Volcano Goddess, and Kamapua’a were once lovers. Their romance didn’t last very long and soon turned into competitive battles, in which Kamapua’a unsuccessfully tried to extinguish Pele’s flame.

Many formations around the islands are considered evidence of the fierce battles between Pele and Kamapua’a. Eventually, Pele granted Kamapua’a to reign in the rainforests of Kohala, Hamakua and Hilo.
Kamapua’a became protector of the pigs and the cascading waterfalls bestowing abundant growth to the lands of Hawaii.

Malama’s Kuku (grandfather) helped him to make his Ihe (spear) out of wood. The top of the Ihe is surrounded by Ti leaves and a yellow feather lei for purification and protection. When the Ihe was finished Malama and his Kuku blessed it with a prayer and salt water from the Pacific Ocean.

Malama’s Tutu (grandmother) sewed his green lava lava (wraparound) with a Hapu (fern) design and crocheted green underwear. The color green is associated with magic, growth and harmony. As an added blessing and for protection Tutu lovingly wove a Maile lei and crafted a tusk amulet and a hair stick for Malama. Maile is the lei of eternal love.
She stuck a Plumeria flower behind Pua’a’s ear.
All these things were Tutu’s and Kuku's sacred gifts of Aloha to their beloved Mo’opuna Kane (grandson).

Malama and Pua’a were individually handcrafted on the Big Island of Hawaii with the greatest love and respect for all that is Hawaii.

Malama is a 10” tall cloth doll. The body is made out of doll skin, stuffed with high quality poly fill and wired for flexibility. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face giving the doll a unique personality.

Pua’a is about 3” tall fitting in the palm of your hand. The body is made out of black synthetic fur. The tusks are made out of clay.
All accessories were individually hand crafted.

Malama is not dress up dolls. All clothing and accessories are sewn and/or glued onto him, except for his Ihe which can be removed.
Doll care: Gently brush the dolls and their clothing with a soft toothbrush to remove dust. Always brush the faces and bodies upwards towards the hair. Do not brush the hair!

Malama and Pua’a are one of a kind Hawaiian Art Dolls and come with a booklet and certificate of authenticity. They are collector’s item bringing you the spiritual power of Hawaii.

Every bit of Malama and Pua’a has been lovingly handcrafted to create new friends who will last a lifetime.

Malama and Pua’a are ready to be your new friends and hunt their way into your heart.

Malama and Pua’a channel strength and courage.

www.Etsy.com