Nā Hō’ailona Hānau
A brief introduction to the Hawai’ian Birth Signs, why they are venerated in the community and further the connection to the ‘āina.
Nā Hō’ailona Hānau (the Hawai’ian birth signs) are divided into 12 parts known as hō’ailona (marker, sign or omen) to coincide with the monthly lunar transitions.
Similar to zodiac signs, each hō’ailona is associated with a particular article, although, unlike the zodiac, it is often not with an animal.
Instead, each individual hō’ailona is tied to one of three things: a descriptor such as Buoyancy for March, a reference to the Kumulipo as seen in August and September, elements of nature/natural occurrences like April and streams, or an object such as February’s double-hulled canoe.
The hō’ailona are associated with more than one object, condition or adjective for example January is associated with wetness, Haumea (mother earth) and the constellation of ‘Oliona (Orion).
The occurrence of holding multiple associations is a continuation of the Hawai’ian philosophy of Kino Lau (multiple bodies). Kino Lau is a viewpoint that every animal, plant, and atmospheric condition is a physical manifestation of a particular Hawaiian Akua (deity).
Popular examples of Kino Lau include Pele being physically manifested as lava, and Kane being physically manifested as a taro plant.
The deeply entwined relationship between the ‘āina and Hawai’ian people presents itself in the deep respect for hō’ailona, which aid in giving insights into future paths, personality traits, and tendencies.
A short snapshot (like below) provides insight into each month’s hō’ailona. To access further information on Nā Hō’ailona Hānau, Kahu Wendell Kalanikapuaenui SIlva’s book “Hawaiian Birth Signs: Nā Hō’ailona Hānau” has an in-depth explanation of each sign alongside a deeper look into the nature of each hō’ailona.
Nā Hō’ailona Hānau
January Kā’elo
Wetness and additionally the name of the second brightest star in ‘Oliona (Orion’s belt).
February Kaulua
Double canoe and also the name of Sirius (The Dog Star) a prominent guiding star for celestial navigation.
March Nana
Buoyancy and gaze, this sign is closely linked to the water element.
April Welo
Stream, closely associated with the sun.
Above: March, April and November are all associated with the element of water. Photograph taken in Manoa Valley.
May Ikiiki
Heat and humidity, associated with the earth
June Ka’aona
Attractive, associated with the Moon and therefore deity Hina
July Hina-ia-’ele’ele
Dark Moon, named for the nights when the moon is clouded by ‘ele’ele (darkness)
Above: June and July are associated with the lunar phases. Photograph taken in Kailua.
August Māhoe-mua
Directly translated as ‘first twin’ in reference to the twins born in The Kumulipo, and closely associated with the element of sunlight
Directly translated as ‘last twin’ in another reference to the Kupulimo and closely tied to the element of the earth, land and nature.
Above: August is associated with the first twin, the Kalo. Photograph taken at the Lyon Arboretum.
October ‘Ikuwā
Clamorous, often linked with overlapping bird sounds and closely tied to the element of air
November Welehu
Lehu (ashes) and welehu (the name of a deep sea fish) this month is closely linked with both ka ua/the rain and freshwater
December Makali’i
Translated as Tiny Eyes to represent the constellation known as Ka Huhui Hōkū (Pleiades cluster or seven sisters)
Above: January, February and December are all associated with the stars. Photo taken at Sherwoods Beach, Oahu.