Kaiholena, Magical Valley of Ancestors

"Huli I ke kanaka pili ke Aukua a nana no I kipaipai ho’I a kakou.

Inspiration is understanding the knowledge of all possibilities."

Na Kumu-Keala Ching

Some time ago I was granted the honor to visit the Kaiholena Preserve in Ka’u. The majestic Mana (spiritual energy) of this rare and uniquely Hawaiian lowland forest literally took my breath away. It felt like stepping into the serene beauty of the ancestor’s land which invoked a deep sense of humbleness and awe-inspiring inner silence within me.
Nurtured by Nature Conservancy, Kaiholena is thriving with native plants and bird life. The beautiful serene Ohia and Koa forest shelters an abundant growth of native Uluhe and Hapu’u ferns.

The tabletop mountain Makanau is a sacred historic site which offers a simply glorious view of the Ka’u coastline, Punaluu Black Sands Beach and the surrounding mountains. 

‘Io, the Hawaiian Hawk, soars high above keeping a watchful eye reminding us to live well, love nature, and Malama ‘Aina (care for the land).

The warm Aloha of Kaiholena’s Mana is like an embrace which opens the heart to the beauty of life.

The Menehunes Kaiholena and Makanau and the Nene Goose were created in honor of the magical Kaiholena valley.

Kaiholena, Makanau and Nene worship the beauty of Hawaii. Their Pule (prayer) for peace, harmony, happiness and abundance includes everybody in the world.

www.HawaiianCollectibleMenehuneDolls.com

Limu Chan, Hugable, Lovable Keiki Doll

Limu Chan

Almost 2 years ago, after my granddaughter, Nana Chan, was born, I started thinking about making a hugable, lovable cloth doll for her.Now that her 2nd birthday is approaching and she has developed a great appreciation for dolls and stuffed animals, I finally created Limu Chan for her.

In the past I have made exclusively 3.5" miniature, collectible Hawaiian Menehune dolls. Limu Chan is 9" tall and required a new bigger pattern and a new design for a doll who can be handled and played with by children.
I initially envisioned a Hawaiian doll, but that changed after my 'inner doll maker' took over. A piece of fabric my mother in Germany had once given me practically fell into my hands and I sewed Limu Chan's dress out of it. That way Limu Chan has a part of Nana Chan's Great Grandmother.
This project was a whole new experience for me. I had so much fun with it that I decided to add a new line of  hugable, lovable and playable dolls for children to my miniature, collectible Menehunes.

Limu Chan is named after the Hawaiian Limu (sea weed) that Nana Chan loves to eat. Limu Chan is just like my little Granddaughter half Japanese and half Caucasian with the same naughty expression on her face.

www.HawaiianCollectibleMenehuneDolls.com

Piko, Hawaiian Crown of Mana

Piko

Nana I Ke Kumu

Look to the Source

In Hawaii the essence of the center of knowledge and wisdom are Pikos (crowns or summits).

Na piko 'ekolu, the three main Pikos, in our bodies represent the Lokahi Triangle of harmony. The crown piko or po'o, which is soft when we are born, connects us with Aumakua (ancestral spirits). The navel Piko relates to the earth and our Ohana (family). The Ma’i or genital Piko presents the future. Pikos are the summits, similar to chakras, from, which everything else moves.

The pikos in our bodies are similar to the Hawaiian concept of the Lokahi Triangle which refers to the balanced relationship between spirit, nature and humanity. Each element of the Lokahi Triangle contributes to spiritual and physical well being as well as to universal harmony.

Many Pikos can be found in nature on the Hawaiian Islands. The most sacred Piko is Mauna Kea on the Big Island. It is the highest mountain in the Us and believed to connect Hawaii to the heavens.

Maile, the Hawaiian lei of eternal love, represents the umbilical cord to the spiritual world.

Maile Lei

The umbilical cord of a newborn child also is referred to as Piko. Following Hawaiian custom, the parents took their baby’s Piko (umbilical cord) to a lava field where they placed it in a hole and covered it with a rock. They believed that the Mana (spiritual energy) of the lava would bless their children with a long and prosperous life and root them to their ancestral lands.

When the Pikos in our bodies are balanced, we enter a state of peacefulness, love, confidence and harmony where we connect with Ola (life force) and build Mana (spiritual energy).

Menehune Boy Piko was created in the spirit of the Lokahi Triangle of harmony.

www.HawaiianCollectibleMenehuneDolls.com

The Divine Call of the Hawaiian Conch Shell

Puhi, the Menehune Guardian Angel

The pure sound of the Hawaiian conch shell echoes across the ‘Aina (land) calling Puhi, the Menehune Guardian Angel to earth. Puhi is named after the sacred Hawaiian Conch Shell, which invokes blessings of the divine.
Her home is Lanikeha, the high sky. The heavenly light of Puhi’s conch shell candle illuminates the paths of the Menehune’s lives on earth.
The Menehunes know Puhi always watches over them enlightening their lives with her angelic presence. Hearing the divine blow of the Hawaiian Conch Shell in the distance, the Menehunes know Puhi is near. Sometimes she allows them a glance at the heavenly glow of her Conch 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 Puhi appears offering her wisdom and guidance.

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

Puhi 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.

Puhi’s Mana radiates unconditional Aloha.

www.HawaiianCollectibleMenehuneDolls.com

Hawaii's Aloha Spirit

Meli

(Honey)

Meli is as sweet as honey. Today, when she was playing in the forest, the wind blew one of her favorite Plumeria flowers right into her hands. It smelled heavenly! Meli carried it to her coconut cradle and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep sucking on her thumb.

Meli’s gifts to you are her beautiful flower and unconditional Aloha (love). 

All the Menehunes love Meli. She is their Keiki Punahele (beloved child). The Menehunes always watch over her, play with and nurture her, rejoicing in her sweet innocence. Meli is a Menehune pepe (baby). Surrounded by her Ohana’s (family’s) Aloha (love), she feels happy and safe.

Meli 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. Meli’s Mana (spiritual energy) helps us to reconnect with our spiritual origin, the eternal presence of love within and all around us.

Meli is a one of a kind collectible display doll handcrafted by Hawaiian Dolls.

Meli carries the Aloha spirit of Hawaii.

www.HawaiianCollectibleMenehuneDolls.com

Hana Hou! The Music of Hawaii

Hana Hou (Encore)

Hana Hou! (ha nah ho) Hana Hou! The Menehunes clap their hands in delight, begging for some more of Hana Hou’s delightful music. The enchanting sound of the guitar accompanies his songs about the Menehune Ohana (family), Hawaiian animals, the forest, the ocean, and the stars in the Universe. Celebrating Hawaii’s Aloha spirit, the Menehunes dance through the forest to the rhythm of Hana Hou’s wonderful music.

Hana Hou’s music illuminates life with joy and happiness. His cheerful Mana (Spiritual Energy) brightens up the day with love and laughter. 

Hana Hou’sTutu (grandmother) wove her Mana (spiritual energy) and Aloha (love) into the Maile leis he wears around his neck and ankles. In Hawaii Maile symbolizes love, honor and respect. Tutu also sewed Hana Hou’s malu (loin cloth) out of red cotton with a Maile leaf design and crocheted matching green underwear. She wove a Lauhala hat with fringes to protect Hana Hou from the sun and a mat for him to sit on when he plays his guitar.

The Hawaiian guitar was Kuku’s (grandfather’s) gift of lasting love and Aloha to his Mo’opuna Kane (grandson). It is Hana Hou’s most cherished possession. He holds it even when he goes to sleep.

Hana Hou 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. Hana Hou has tiny little hands and feet, ears, buttocks, and a belly button. All accessories were individually handcrafted.

In the evenings Hana Hou often accompanies the Hula dances of his little sister Liko with his guitar. In perfect harmony they express their Aloha Aina (love of the land).

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

Hana Hou carries the Aloha spirit of Hawaii.

www.Etsy.com

The Hawaiian Conch Shell, Calling the Divine

A gift from the Pacific Ocean, the pure sound of the Pu (Hawaiian conch shell) echoes across the ‘Aina (land) invoking blessings of divine Mana (spiritual energy). 

The ceremonial Hawaiian practice of blowing the conch shell dates back to the ancient past and continues in many present day traditions.
Blowing the Pu is a deep part of Hawaiian culture. Blown in accordance with Hawaiian protocol, it is a call to the divine announcing the official beginning of a sacred ceremony.

In ancient times the Pu announced the arrival of Ali’I (royalty), the beginning of the Makahiki season (Hawaiian New Year festival) and other important events. Conch shells were so precious, they were handed down from one generation to the next. In old Hawaii the Pu was also used to communicate across the waters, requesting and granting permission to come to shore. When blown correctly the beautiful hollow sound of the Pu can be heard from miles away.

Today the conch shell is still used in many traditional festivities and ceremonies throughout the islands, keeping Hawaiian culture alive.

Following sacred protocols the conch shell is blown pure and clear in the four directions. Complex sets of meanings are applied to when, how many times and in which direction the Pu is blown. The teachings of Kahunas (priests) reveal some of the deep sacred meanings of blowing the Hawaiian conch shell in tune with divine Mana (spiritual energy).

One well known story of the Pu tells about the mystical Hawaiian Menehunes, a legendary race of small Hawaiian people, who were considered gods by the Polynesians. When Chief Kiha on Oahu used a conch shell to control the little gods, the Menehunes stole it from him and blew it all night long so that nobody could sleep. Finally a brave Hawaiian retrieved the stolen conch shell but chipped it on the way back. This very shell is now displayed at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.

The heavenly call of the Hawaiian Pu inspired the creation of Magical Menehune Guardian Angel Pupu Puhi (Conch Shell).

Pupu Puhi’s Mana radiates unconditional Aloha.

www.HawaiianCollectibleMenehuneDolls.com