Never Sea Land

Kū, Hawaiian god of War and Canoe Building

In Hawaii, Kū, along with Lono [our family protector], Kanaloa, and  Kāne, were the uncreated creators of the universe.   Ku was the god of war, and of canoe builders.  He was also the only god that demanded human sacrifice as part of the dedication of his heiaus or temples.

Some of the many names of Ku

• Ku-holoholo-pali: “Ku who steadies the canoe as it is carried down steep places”
• Ku-kalanawao: “Ku who guides through the mountain wilderness”
• Ku-kanaloa: (No data; Kanaloa was the god of the Ocean; his ocean form is the he’e, or octopus; his land form is the banana.)
• Ku-ka-’ohi’a-laka: “Ku of the sacred ‘ohi’a;” also Ku-maha-ali’i: “Ku who journeys in the canoe”
• Ku-mauna: “Ku of the mountains”
• Ku-moku-hali’i: “Ku who bedecks the island”; canoe builders chief god; husband of Lea; also Mokuhali’i
• Ku-ohanawao: (no data; cf. Ku’alana-wao and Ku-kalanawao)
• Ku-’ohi’a-Laka: Another name for Laka
• Ku-olonawao: “Ku of the deep forest”
• Ku-pepeiao-loa: “Ku of the long comb-cleats”; god of the seat braces by which the canoe is carried
• Ku-pepeiao-poko: “Ku of the short comb-cleats”; god of the seat braces by which the canoe is carried
• Ku-pulapula: “Ku with many offspring”
• Ku-pulupulu: “Ku, the chip-maker”; god of the forests
• Ku-pulupulu-i-ka-nahele: Another name for Ku-pulupulu
• Kulauka: Another name for Ku-pulupulu

The more I look at the beautiful work of other craftsmen out there, the more I think we are in need of big-time help from Kū!

This beautiful Ulua canoe honors Kū.

2007 Watercraft prize won by Oughtred canoe.  [LINK]