Lani, the Heaven

Lani (Heaven), the Guardian Angel

The sacred sound of the Pu (conch shell) echoes across the ‘Aina (land) calling Lani, the Menehune Guardian Angel to earth. Lani’s heavenly Mana (spiritual energy) radiates the power of unconditional Aloha (love).
Lani is named after her home Lanikeha, the heaven. The heavenly light of Lani’s candle illuminates the paths of the Menehune’s lives on earth.
The Menehunes know Lani always watches over them enlightening their lives with her angelic presence.
Hearing the divine calling of the Pu in the distance, the Menehunes sense that Lani is near. Sometimes she allows them a glance at the heavenly glow of her shell candle or a glimpse of her angelic white feather wings passing by to remind them how brightly the Aloha spirit is shining from their own souls. All they have to do is call and Lani appears offering her wisdom and guidance.

Welcome Lani as your guardian angel! She is devoted to protecting and guiding you on your life’s journey.

Lani often rests among the ferns in the serene Hawaiian Ohia forest, worshipping the beautiful world around her. She never tires of rejoicing in the abundant splendor of nature.

Lani wears a white dress with a silvery pink Hawaiian shell in the front, pink crocheted panties and matching shoes adorned with crystals. The pink Pupu (shell) in her hair represents spiritual strength, unity and love.
She is holding an shell with a candle in her hands. The angel wings are crafted out of real white feathers.

Lani is about 3.5” tall, fitting in the palm of your hand. The body is made out of stretch cotton and wired for flexibility. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face. Lani has tiny little hands and feet, ears, buttocks, and a belly button. All accessories were individually handcrafted.
Lani is a one of a kind display doll handcrafted by Hawaiian Dolls. She is a collector’s item bringing you the spiritual power of Hawaii.

Lani’s Mana (spiritual energy) radiates heavenly unconditional Aloha.

www.Etsy.com

Pono, the Hawaiian Lifestyle of Balance and Integrity

Ua mau ke ea o ka`aina i ka pono. 

The life of the land is preserved in righteousness.

The Hawaiian lifestyle of Pono expresses balance and integrity with the Mana (spiritual energy) of life. Pono fully embraces contentment, happiness, optimism and hope. It affirms attitudes of positivity and harmony. Pono is a state of being and a way of living. Hawaiian Pono unites body, mind and spirit in balance and harmony. It reflects on the interconnectedness of people, nature and spirit. Pono teaches to honor the spirit and to assist others in restoring a life of Pono.

Pono is the motto of Hawaii.

Pono means all thoughts, words and deeds are in complete harmony with divine energy, including our guardianship of the earth. Hawaiian people believe that we are the caretakers of the land during our lifetime. The quality of our guardianship of the land determines its condition. We pass our knowledge on to succeeding generations, so that they too can enjoy and take care of the abundant resources that are gifted to us in our lifetime.

Pono is rightness and balance.

Pono means making a conscious decision to do the right thing in every aspect of life. It means having a proper respectful relationship with. Every action in life should reflect Pono.

Imagine the wonderful world we would live in, if we all were Pono spiritual beings, Pono guardians of the earth, Pono family, Pono friends, etc.. Isn't Pono a concept worth striving for?

Reflections on a life of Pono inspired the creation of the Magical Hawaiian Menehunes, Pono and Puli.

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Ipu, Hawaiian Gourd of Mana

Ipulani 

(Heavenly Gourd)

In ancient Hawaii the Ipu plant was sacred and considered the kino lau (body form) of Lono, the Hawaiian god of agriculture. Ipus were so precious that they were often named after ancestors and handed down from one generation to the next. The Ipu played an important part in sustaining life in old Hawaii: It held the precious dinking water, medicines and food. It accompanied hula dances and chanting during festive and spiritual ceremonies. Up to today, the sacred rhythm of the ipu is heard in Kahiko (ancient) and Auana (modern) hulas.

Two varieties of the ipu were cultivated by ancient Hawaiians: the ipu manalo, or sweet gourd for eating; and the ipu 'awa'awa, or bitter gourd for medicine and containers. Through selective breeding the ipu 'awa'awa was developed into many sizes and shapes. After the harvest the gourds were hollowed, cleaned and polished to a shine. Sometimes they were painted on or decorated with leis in a special, artistic manner. All the symbols had a meaning. The colors and shapes were expressing important messages.

According to Hawaiian culture, that which takes care of you must also be cared for! 

Gourds have always been highly valued in Hawaii. In ancient times special customs and rituals were performed during the planting, cultivation and harvest. Gourds were planted on the night of Hua, when the moon was shaped like an egg. A potbellied man would carry the seed as if it already was a huge gourd. Chanting, he would drop the seed quickly in the hole, keeping his hands straight and steady in order to keep the gourd from twisting and shriveling:

He ipu nui!

O hiki ku mauna,

O hiki kua,

Nui maoli keia ipu! 

A huge ipu!

Growing like a mountain,

To be carried on the back,

Really huge is this gourd!

Ka ipu o ka ike

The gourd of Mana

Several beautiful, large ipus decorate my home. I adorned them with Hawaiian seed and feather leis. Their special Mana (spiritual energy) greets me, every time I walk into my house. They seem to nurture and watch over me, giving me the greatest comfort.

Ipulani, the Menehune Guardian Angel, was created in honor of the precious Hawaiian Ipu.

Ipulani (Heavenly Gourd), the Guardian Angel 

The sacred rhythm of the Ipu (gourd) echoes across the ‘Aina (land) calling Ipulani, the Menehune Guardian Angel to earth. Ipulani’s Mana (spiritual energy) radiates the power of unconditional Aloha (love). Ipulani is named after the sacred Hawaiian Ipu (gourd), which invokes blessings of the divine.
Her home is Lanikeha, the high sky. The heavenly light of Ipulani’s candle illuminates the paths of the Menehune’s lives on earth.
The Menehunes know Ipulani always watches over them enlightening their lives with her angelic presence. Hearing the divine drumming of the Ipu in the distance, the Menehunes sense that Ipulani is near. Sometimes she allows them a glance at the heavenly glow of her Ipu candle or a glimpse of her angelic white feather wings passing by to remind them how brightly the Aloha spirit is shining from their own souls. All they have to do is call and Ipulani appears offering her wisdom and guidance.

Welcome Ipulani as your guardian angel! She is devoted to protecting and guiding you on your life’s journey. 

Ipulani often rests in the serene Hawaiian Ohia forest, worshipping the beautiful world around her. She never tires of rejoicing in the abundant splendor of nature.

Ipulani wears a white dress with a big pink Puakenikeni flower in the front, pink crocheted panties and matching shoes. Her Maile Haku (head lei) with the fragrant, pink Puakenikeni flowers represents spiritual strength, unity and love. 

She is holding an Ipu with a candle in her hands. The angel wings are crafted out of real white feathers.

Ipulani is about 3.5” tall, fitting in the palm of your hand. The body is made out of stretch cotton and wired for flexibility. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face. Ipulani has tiny little hands and feet, ears, buttocks, and a belly button. All accessories were individually handcrafted.

Ipulani is a one of a kind display doll handcrafted by Hawaiian Dolls. She is a collector’s item bringing you the spiritual power of Hawaii.

Ipulani’s Mana (spiritual energy) radiates unconditional Aloha. 

www.Etsy.com

Hi'iaka, Cradled in the Arms of Pele

No Hi‘iaka nō he inoa ‘eā

In honor of Hi‘iaka

Hi’iaka is Hawaii's patron Goddess. She possesses the power to heal and the truth of vision. Hi'iaka is worshipped for her Hula and many dances have been dedicated just to her. She also is the favorite youngest sister of Pele, Hawaii's famous and feared Volcano Goddess.

It is said that Hi'iaka was born in Tahiti by the great Earth Mother Haumea in the form of an egg. Pele lovingly carried her sister in her armpit on the long canoe ride from Tahiti to Hawaii. Hi'iaka is therefore often called Hi’iaka i ka poli o Pele, which means “cradled in the armpit of Pele”. At long last they reached Pele's new home on Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island. There Pele nurtured Hi’iaka in the beautiful Ohia forest until she hatched.

Goddess Pele creates the land with molten fiery hot lava. Hi’iaka blesses the land with rain and creates soil, trees and life with her healing Mana (spiritual energy). Together the sister Goddesses ensure that the growth and life of the land continues.

Hi'iaka's beloved Ohia Tree is the first form of life to grow directly out of the hardened black lava. It signals the completion of one cycle and illuminates a new beginning. Hi'iaka lives in a sacred grove of Ohia trees where she spends her days dancing with the Akuas (spirits) of the forest.

One famous legend tells of Hi'iaka's precarious journey to Kaua'i where she was sent by her sister to bring back Pele's lover, Lohi'au. Pele asked Hi'aka to be back within 40 days and promised to protect her sacred Lehua groves and best friend Hopoe during that time.
But Hi'iaka encountered many obstacles on her journey: The landscape was treacherous, the weather hostile and deadly Mo'o lizards attempted to trap her. When she finally reached Lohi'au's home on Kaua'i, he had committed suicide because of his longing for Pele. Hi'iaka was able to revive him with the power of her chanting and prayers.
Hi'iaka was armed with some of Pele's Mana (powers), but she was still unable to complete the mission in 40 days. Pele, fearing that Hiʻiaka had betrayed her and was keeping her handsome lover for herself, was enraged. She destroyed Hiʻiaka's sacred Lehua groves and killed her friend Hopoe, turning her into stone.
When Hiʻiaka returned, seeing her friend dead and her forest ravaged, she took revenge on Pele and made love to Lohiau right on the edge of the crater where Pele was sure to see them. Furiously, Pele covered the couple in waves of fiery hot lava. Hiʻiaka was unharmed, but Lohiau died. Hiʻiaka brought him back to life for the second time.
Pele regretted her actions toward her beloved sister's Lehua groves and best friend. She decided to let Lohiau choose who he wanted to be with.
During their long and dangerous journey from Kaua'i, Lohi'au had come to love and greatly admire Hi'iaka for her bravery, loyalty, kindness and beauty. He chose her for his wife and took her back to Kaua'i with him.

Hi'iaka connects our hearts and actions with Aloha (love). The reality of our outer lives is often the result of what we carry in our hearts. Hi'iaka teaches us to focus on our higher purpose. If you choose wisely, you will grow, flourish and blossom in unlimited possibilities.

Goddess Hi'iaka's divine Mana inspired the creation of Menehune Dolls, Hi'iaka and Lohi'au.

Hi'iaka and Lohi'au

Birth Date: ʻOkakopa 15, 2014 (10/15/14)

Onaona i Kahala me Ka Lehua

He Hale Lehua no ia na Ka noe

Aloha e, Aloha e

(Fragrant with the breath of Hala and Lehua

This is the sight I long to see

Greetings, Greetings)

The sacred drumming of the Ipu (gourd) echoes across the 'Aina (land) as Hi'iaka and Lohi'au dance and chant with the Akuas (spirits) of the Ohia Forest.
The Menehune Ohana (family) watches in awe as the harmony of Ipu, Hula and chant attunes them to spirit and gladdens their heart.

Hi'iaka and Lohi'au connect our hearts and actions with Aloha (love). Focus on your higher purpose, choose wisely and you will grow, flourish and blossom in unlimited possibilities. 

Hi'iaka's and Lohi'au's Mana attunes us to the spirit of Aloha.

www.Etsy.com

Hau'oli la Aloha! Happy Valentine's Day!

Aloha Nui Loa 

(with Lots of Love)

​Valentine's Day is Aloha blooming. It is the holiday of love, dedicated to giving gifts of affection to each other. You can add to the magic of this special day by declaring your love through the inspiring message of a little Menehune Doll.

Lala (Sunshine)

I created Menehune Baby Lala (Sunshine) in honor of our glorious sun. Lala's smile is like sunshine, warming body and soul. Her Mana (spiritual energy) nourishes and rejuvenates the spirit.​

Nai'a (Dolphin)

The enchanting Mana of the dolphin inspired the creation of Nai'a, the Menehune Sailor.​ In the spirit of the dolphin, Nai'a inspires us to be strong, curious, and to enjoy life to the fullest. 

Honu Keiki (Turtle Child)

Honu Keiki is deeply connected with the ancient wisdom of the Turtle. The Hawaiian Honu represents long life, safety, peace, and good luck. Allow the Honu’s wisdom to embrace you and guide you on your quest.

Aloha Doll Ornaments

Aloha Dolls radiate the magical spirit of Hawaii to all who are around them.
These dolls are a new line of doll ornaments, meant to add their enchanting grace to any tree and embrace your home with the Aloha spirit of Hawaii.

Pele, Hawaiian Volcano Goddess

And of course there is Pele! Dressed in the red flames of love, Pele blesses you with her flame of Kilauea Volcano.

You can 'Special Order' the Menehune of your heart, or you can view the many other ‘Magical Hawaiian Menehunes’ waiting to bring love, joy and inspiration to the people of your heart (including youself) here:

www.HawaiianCollectibleMenehuneDolls.com

Honu Keiki, the Turtle Child

Honu Keiki 

(Turtle Child)

Birth Date: Pepeluali 1, 2015 (02/01/15)

He nani lua 'ole

Ku'u wehi o nâ lani

He kilohana 'oe

Na'u e pûlama mau

Hô'olu i ka poli e

Mehana i ke anu e.

I can smile when it's raining

Touch the warmth of the sun

I hear children laughing

In this place that I love

Where I live there are rainbows

With life in the laughter of morning

And birds filled with song

The Menehunes are softly chanting a Hawaiian lullaby to Honu Keiki. He is their Keiki Punahele (beloved child). The Menehunes rejoice in Honu Keiki’s sweet innocence. They love him and take turns watching over him at all times. When Honu Keiki is hungry, they nurture him with his favorite treats, warm baby milk and Mai’as (bananas).
Surrounded by his Ohana’s (family’s) Aloha (love), Honu Keiki lies contently in his coconut cradle sucking on his thumb. The deep inner knowing that he is always taken care of fills him with trust and love.

Honu Keiki is named after his Aumakua (Guardian Spirit), the Hawaiian Sea Turtle. The little Turtle in his coconut cradle has become his constant companion and closest friend. Together they rejoice in the Mana (spiritual energy) of peace and happiness that surrounds them.

Honu Keiki is deeply connected with the ancient wisdom of the Turtle. The Hawaiian Honu represents long life, safety, peace, and good luck.

Allow the Honu’s wisdom to embrace and guide you on your quest.

Honu Keiki’s Tutu (grandmother) crocheted his turquoise pants and matching booties which she adorned with tiny green crystals.

 

She also sewed the turquoise bedding with a Turtle design for the cradle, sewed 2 turtle buttons on the sides and decorated the top with an orange feather lei.
The color turquoise symbolizes wealth and spiritual harmony. The Hulu (feather) lei is believed to link to the divine.
Tutu put a banana in Honu Keiki's pocket, in case he gets hungry, and draped a sacred Honu amulet for protection around her beloved Mo’opuna Kane's (grandson's) neck.

Honu Keiki is about 3.5” tall fitting in the palm of your hand. The body is made out of stretch cotton and wired for flexibility. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face. Honu Keiki has tiny little hands and feet, ears, buttocks, and a belly button.
The little turtle is about 1.5” long. Her body is made out of soft brown cloth and wired for flexibility.

The coconut for Honu Keiki’s cradle was selected from palm trees Punalu’u Black Sands Beach. It is hand carved, sanded, polished, and fit to a custom coconut base. All accessories were individually handcrafted.

Honu Keiki and his Honu are a one of a kind collectible display dolls handcrafted by Hawaiian Dolls. Honu Keiki comes with his story and a certificate of authenticity.

Honu Keiki reflects the Aloha spirit of Hawaii.

www.Etsy.com

Our Sun, the Eye of the World

Aloha E Ka La Aloha E

E Ho'oulu Mai E Ka La

I Ka Honua Nei Amana E

Greetings o sun, welcome

Enrich and empower, o sun

This beautiful earth

Our sun is the eye of the world, which illuminates all life on earth. As the greatest fire of nature, the sun's glorious rays are the source of light and life within the soul. The sun reflects strength of spirit, awareness, abundance, clarity and leadership.

The sun inspires divinity and enlightenment. Its brilliance lifts the spirit and affirms life. 

Watching the sun rise, nourishes and rejuvenates the spirit. It is a process of rebirth which restores joy and peace to our inner being as the spirit within is illuminated by the sun's radiance. The warm rays comfort, heal and invigorate body and soul.

For centuries many cultures have dedicated sacred ceremonies to the sun in order to gain spiritual insights. Native Hawaiians respect and honor the sun's energy as the source of all life.

Haleakala, House of the Sun

E ala e Ka la i kahikina 

I ka moana 

Ka moana hohonu 

Pi’i ka lewa 

Ka lewa nu’u 

I kahikina 

Aia ka la. 

E ala e! 

Awaken/Arise 

The sun in the east 

From the ocean 

The ocean deep 

Climbing (to) the heaven 

The heaven highest 

In the east 

There is the sun 

Awaken!

Haleakala is a 1.2 million years old massive shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the island of Maui. It is a place of prayer; 

Haleakala is Ala hea ka la – the path to calling the sun. 

In Hawaiian mythology, the crater at the summit of Haleakalā was home to the grandmother of the demigod Māui. To please his grandmother Maui, who was known for his tricks, captured the sun with his lasso and forced it to slow its journey across the sky in order to lengthen the day.

For over 1000 years, only the Na Kāhuna P'o (ancient priests) and their Haumana (students) lived at Haleakalā for meditation to receive spiritual wisdom as well as to observe the heavens for navigation purposes. They merged the sounds of their ancient prayers with the Mana (spiritual energy) of nature for spiritual manifestations. Over 300 Heiaus (temples) were built on the eastern side of Haleakalā. The ancient Hawaiians kept Haleakala's secrets for the people to love, protect and preserve.
Haleakala has been named 'The House of the Sun'. It is a sacred place and must be treated with respect.

Menehune Baby Lala (Sunshine) was created in honor of our glorious sun.

Lala (Sunshine)

Birth Date: Ianuali 18, 2015 (01-18-15)

Lala's smile is like sunshine, warming body and soul. Lala is the Menehune's Keiki Punahele (beloved child). They love her and take turns watching over her at all times. Lala is only 3 months old. She just left the spiritual world and her memory and connection to her origin are very strong. The deep inner knowing that she is always taken care of fills her with trust and love. The Menehunes rejoice in Lala’s sweet innocence. Gently rocking her cradle, they softly sing a Hawaiian lullaby to her:

He nani lua 'ole

Ku'u wehi o nâ lani

He kilohana 'oe

Na'u e pûlama mau

Hô'olu i ka poli e

Mehana i ke anu e.

I can smile when it's raining

Touch the warmth of the sun

I hear children laughing

In this place that I love

Where I live there are rainbows

With life in the laughter of morning

And birds filled with song

Surrounded by her Ohana’s (family’s) Aloha (love), Lala lies contently in her coconut cradle cuddling her Pea 'Alika (Teddy Bear) and sucking on her thumb. 

Like sunshine, Lala's Mana (spiritual energy) nourishes and rejuvenates the spirit.

Lala's Tutu (grandmother) crocheted her pink pants and matching booties which she adorned with 2 tiny pink crystals. She also sewed the bedding and canopy with a Plumeria design for the cradle and decorated the canopy with a green feather lei. The Hulu (feather) lei is believed to link to the divine. Tutu hung a heart shaped crystal in the center of the canopy. Lala delights in watching it sparkle in the sunlight. Last Tutu put a Plumeria flower behind Lala's ear. All these things were Tutu's gifts of Aloha (love) to her beloved Mo’opuna Wahine (granddaughter).

Lala is about 3” tall fitting in the palm of your hand. The body is made out of stretch cotton and wired for flexibility. The eyes and mouth are intricately embroidered onto the face. Lala has tiny little hands and feet, ears, buttocks, and a belly button.
Pea 'Alika, theTeddy Bear, is about 1" tall. He is handmade out of synthetic fur with black crystals for eyes and nose and a pink embroidered mouth.

The coconut for Lala’s cradle was selected from palm trees Punalu’u Black Sands Beach. It is hand carved, sanded, polished, and fit to a custom pine wood rocking base.
All accessories were individually handcrafted.
Lala is a one of a kind collectible display doll handcrafted by Hawaiian Dolls.
Lala comes with her story and a certificate of authenticity.

Lala’s Sunshine Mana helps us to reconnect with our spiritual origin, the eternal presence of love within and all around us.

www.Etsy.com