The whole concept of name or inoa is sacred in Hawaiian culture. Our kupuna (ancestors) believed that inoa was a prized possession and that one’s inoa – once spoken – became a living reality. Much thought and consideration went into naming a child at birth and throughout life as well. Many ali’i (chiefs) were frequently given names to show honor and reverence, however sometimes names were given to signify important events in their lives. Simple names taken after common everyday objects appearing in nature – rock, tree, etc., which were devoid of any reference to aumakua, ali’i, or famous event – were taken by kauwā (the despised slave class).
Inoa ho’omanao is a name given to honor a person or an event. This makes perfect sense for an ancient culture of oral tradition. Respectfully, and without trying to sound judgmental, I found it quite peculiar that a child was named after the event of Dr. Gerrit Judd operated on the breast of Queen Kapi’olani, a child was named after the event – Ke-‘oki-waiū-o-kapi’olani – which translated as “the cutting of the breast of Kapi’olani”…one starts to wonder – did she have breast cancer? This causes me to want to do more research and find out the answers.
Once a person is given inoa pō, that special name belongs to that particular individual and becomes a personal possession. This means no one else is allowed to use it without permission of the bearer of the name, and to do so would cause illness or misfortune, because there are kapu (taboos) attached to the name.
Inoa kupuna is when a person hands his or her name down to a family descendant.
Inoa kuamuamu is a name given to perpetuate harm or insult, directed at an ali’i or family or community. This is a very interesting concept…for example, a child might be named Makapiapa, (sticky eyes), or kūkae (feces). Now honestly, who would name their child that??? But the ancient Hawaiians did – because sometimes a child was bothered or possessed by an evil spirit. By naming the child such a foul name, makua (parents) hoped to disgust the spirit so it would move on, and when it did, the child would be given a more appropriate name. What an interesting concept! What is even more interesting is that the child was not disturbed! Once able to understand, he or she was told of the reasoning and given assurance that a more appropriate name would be given at a later time once cured of the ailment. The old name would then be ‘oki’d (severed), and a new, more pleasant one gifted.
One thought that saddened me was that some inoa pō inoa or other mystically inspired neames were ‘oki’d (severed) because it was connected to residual belief in ‘aumakua, when Christianity had taken over and declared blasphemy on anyone using ‘aumākua inspired names.
Tutu Kawena commented that a great many people decided to name their children after her. In her heart, and knowing “both sides of the story”, Tutu often performed Pule Ho’onoa or “prayer to free” (the child). She prayed for the recipient that no harm shall come to the child.
How wonderful, as well as generous and responsible…and I find it fascinating that the name of an individual would become a living entity – the social construct of a word or set of words that identified a person could influence health, happiness, and lifespan!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
'O wai kou inoa? (What is your name?)
I am taking another Hawaiian cultures class from the A'o Makua series entitled Mo'olelo - He Inoa Ala - A fragrant name – said of a chief whose reputation is good. (Pūku'i, 637). In this class we discover who we are and where we come from through the origin of our names and family names.
I think it is so much fun learning about yourself by researching your name. The Hawaiians named their children carefully because they believed the child grows into his or her name. Also, they did not like to shorten or give nicknames. As I am told, it retracts from the pureness of the name. Also, one must be careful not to place too much emphasis on one syllable or segment of a person's name because there could be negative connotations and repercussions when that part of the name is over-emphasized.
Our assignment was to create a message to the group by adding a new thread. We are to share the story behind our name. What does your name mean? Who named you? Are you named after someone? We could also tell the story of our last name or a family name or even the story behind choosing a name for someone else. This is my story...
Aloha Kakou.
My name is Camilla Grace Fusae Ka'iuhono'onālani Wengler-Vignoe. I just go by Cami.
I think this is a wonderful papa (class) and ha'awina (lesson). Mahalo Kumu Brandy for the opportunity to research our inoa and to share our mo'olelo with nā haumana.
My first name Camilla is of Latin origin and means "ceremonial attendant" or "attendant at a sacrifice". Camilla is also a swift running Warrior Princess the famous Roman poet Virgil writes about.
My middle name Grace is also of Latin origin meaning "God's favor". Grace refers to Blessed Mother - the mother of Jesus whom we honor in the Roman Catholic tradition - which is one our family celebrates. I wish I was more graceful!
My Japanese name Fusae refers to a beautiful delicate ornament. My mother told me to imagine a whimsical Japanese ornament, hanging high on a far branch of a cherry blossom tree. No matter how hard the rain falls or the wind blows, the ornament that appears so delicate is actually quite sturdy. It sways in the wind, weathers the elements; after the mightiest of storms, the ornament remains dangling from the tree branch, beautiful and seemingly undamaged.
My maiden name Wengler, is supposedly a common German family name. It is related to the Winkler and Wrangler families. The Wengler clan I am told lived in the hills in Germany somewhere. Interesting. I would like to find out more. Growing up in Honolulu, we were the only Wengler family in the phone book, in the whole state! This is because our dad was the first Wengler that migrated to Hawai'i; he is originally from Missouri.
My married name - Vignoe - is Italian, as my husband is a third generation Italian American. The story they tell is that my husband Dave's grandpa arrived from Italy in the early 1900s, their families were from Florence and Naples. Their last name was actually Vignali, but they shortened it to Vignoe so that it would sound more American, so that they would not be treated like third class citizens.
This is the mo'olelo of my Hawaiian name Ka'iuhono'onālani:
inoa pō - n. Dream name, as in a name for an infant believed received in a dream; it was thought that if such a name were not given, the child would be sickly or die. (wehewehe.org)
These types of names carried the seal of the spirit world. All were chosen by a god, usually a family ‘aumakua. In an ‘ohana (family) that awaited a baby’s birth, someone would have a name indicated or pronounced in a dream. This was the inoa pō, literally “night name”, or “name in the darkness”…such a name was both a gift and a command from the ‘aumakua. This name must be given the child. Says Mary Kawena Puku’i, “The name given by the ‘aumakua shows a relationship between the god and that person,” (p. 95 Nana I ke Kumu – Puku’i, 1972)
On a balmy Mānoa (a valley in Honolulu) evening in June 1965, Tutu Kawena awoke from her nap, distinctly remembering a specific name she was to gift to her next mo’opuna (grandchild; great-niece or nephew; relatives two generations later, whether blood or adopted). At the very same time in another part of town, my mother was laboring to bring me into this world. In the wee hours of that Sunday morning, I was born to Charlotte and Harry Wengler and received my Hawaiian name: Ka’iuhono’onalani, which means “one who is held in high esteem with the chiefs”.
In this lifetime, my quest is to find out who the chiefs are. Who am I supposed to serve? I have a feeling that I am to serve Keiki 'o ka 'aina (the children of the land)... and attaining my PhD is definitely going to help me to be more effective in service to our people. I am so grateful for all the blessings that Heavenly Father has given me. I have been given so much. I can humbly say that I have been blessed with health, vitality, passion, some brains and a big heart, as well as much privilege...God gives us these things, along with the gift of life, a guardian angel to keep us out of trouble, and many resources - such as fortunate opportunities and the ability to think - to do good works. It is my privilege and honor to serve our communities and our people to the very best of my ability.
I think it is so much fun learning about yourself by researching your name. The Hawaiians named their children carefully because they believed the child grows into his or her name. Also, they did not like to shorten or give nicknames. As I am told, it retracts from the pureness of the name. Also, one must be careful not to place too much emphasis on one syllable or segment of a person's name because there could be negative connotations and repercussions when that part of the name is over-emphasized.
Our assignment was to create a message to the group by adding a new thread. We are to share the story behind our name. What does your name mean? Who named you? Are you named after someone? We could also tell the story of our last name or a family name or even the story behind choosing a name for someone else. This is my story...
Aloha Kakou.
My name is Camilla Grace Fusae Ka'iuhono'onālani Wengler-Vignoe. I just go by Cami.
I think this is a wonderful papa (class) and ha'awina (lesson). Mahalo Kumu Brandy for the opportunity to research our inoa and to share our mo'olelo with nā haumana.
My first name Camilla is of Latin origin and means "ceremonial attendant" or "attendant at a sacrifice". Camilla is also a swift running Warrior Princess the famous Roman poet Virgil writes about.
My middle name Grace is also of Latin origin meaning "God's favor". Grace refers to Blessed Mother - the mother of Jesus whom we honor in the Roman Catholic tradition - which is one our family celebrates. I wish I was more graceful!
My Japanese name Fusae refers to a beautiful delicate ornament. My mother told me to imagine a whimsical Japanese ornament, hanging high on a far branch of a cherry blossom tree. No matter how hard the rain falls or the wind blows, the ornament that appears so delicate is actually quite sturdy. It sways in the wind, weathers the elements; after the mightiest of storms, the ornament remains dangling from the tree branch, beautiful and seemingly undamaged.
My maiden name Wengler, is supposedly a common German family name. It is related to the Winkler and Wrangler families. The Wengler clan I am told lived in the hills in Germany somewhere. Interesting. I would like to find out more. Growing up in Honolulu, we were the only Wengler family in the phone book, in the whole state! This is because our dad was the first Wengler that migrated to Hawai'i; he is originally from Missouri.
My married name - Vignoe - is Italian, as my husband is a third generation Italian American. The story they tell is that my husband Dave's grandpa arrived from Italy in the early 1900s, their families were from Florence and Naples. Their last name was actually Vignali, but they shortened it to Vignoe so that it would sound more American, so that they would not be treated like third class citizens.
This is the mo'olelo of my Hawaiian name Ka'iuhono'onālani:
inoa pō - n. Dream name, as in a name for an infant believed received in a dream; it was thought that if such a name were not given, the child would be sickly or die. (wehewehe.org)
These types of names carried the seal of the spirit world. All were chosen by a god, usually a family ‘aumakua. In an ‘ohana (family) that awaited a baby’s birth, someone would have a name indicated or pronounced in a dream. This was the inoa pō, literally “night name”, or “name in the darkness”…such a name was both a gift and a command from the ‘aumakua. This name must be given the child. Says Mary Kawena Puku’i, “The name given by the ‘aumakua shows a relationship between the god and that person,” (p. 95 Nana I ke Kumu – Puku’i, 1972)
On a balmy Mānoa (a valley in Honolulu) evening in June 1965, Tutu Kawena awoke from her nap, distinctly remembering a specific name she was to gift to her next mo’opuna (grandchild; great-niece or nephew; relatives two generations later, whether blood or adopted). At the very same time in another part of town, my mother was laboring to bring me into this world. In the wee hours of that Sunday morning, I was born to Charlotte and Harry Wengler and received my Hawaiian name: Ka’iuhono’onalani, which means “one who is held in high esteem with the chiefs”.
In this lifetime, my quest is to find out who the chiefs are. Who am I supposed to serve? I have a feeling that I am to serve Keiki 'o ka 'aina (the children of the land)... and attaining my PhD is definitely going to help me to be more effective in service to our people. I am so grateful for all the blessings that Heavenly Father has given me. I have been given so much. I can humbly say that I have been blessed with health, vitality, passion, some brains and a big heart, as well as much privilege...God gives us these things, along with the gift of life, a guardian angel to keep us out of trouble, and many resources - such as fortunate opportunities and the ability to think - to do good works. It is my privilege and honor to serve our communities and our people to the very best of my ability.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
My first Hawaiian words...
My Hawaiiana classes are paying off. I received an invitation from my brother Ka'umi and his wife Leimaile on the Big Island. The invitation was written completely in Hawaiian, and I translated it into English for Dave - "You are invited to a lu'au in honor of our daughter Leimailehiehie's first birthday". Dave and I looked at each other, eyes wide in wonder and surprise as I first sounded out the words slowly and correctly in Hawaiian, and then translated it perfectly in English. I cannot tell you how very cool that was! It's like learning to read your very first words without being coached. Hooray!!!!
Today I posted for my Ku'u wahi noho (Where I live) online class, offered through Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning program. Our classmates are from all over the country. In my last class, we had students from all over the world! Anyway, our Kumu (teacher) wants us to introduce ourselves and tell what were the first Hawaiian words we learned and also, what were the circumstances. This was my contribution:
Aloha e Kumu Luana a me haumana, (Greetings Teacher Luana and fellow students,)
'O Cami ko'u inoa. (My name is Cami.)
Noho au i Santa Barbara, CA. (I am from Santa Barbara, CA.)
It is so wonderful to take another papa ʻōlelo (language class) and to reconnect with nā haumana (the students).
I grew up in the ʻāina haina area, on the east side of 'O'ahu. Only proper English was allowed in our house growing up, with dialogue heavily sprinkled with Hawaiian words... When out of earshot of our parents, we'd speak Pidgin so the other kids would play with us. Funny how these memories come back after all these years.
I meditated and asked my ʻAumākua what my first Hawaiian word was. I initially thought it might have been Aloha, but I got a strong message of two words: poi and honi. Poi, I guess, pretty obvious. Probably baby's first "solid" food, made from pounded kalo (taro). Honi, not so obvious unless you were brought up in the islands. In Hawai'i, we give and receive kisses all day, every day from the day you were born. It is a beautiful tradition that doesn't happen very often here on the mainland, unless you meet other Hawaiians, in which case when we do recognize one another as Kama'aina (children of the land), we immediately kiss instead of shaking hands.
If you were not brought up in the tradition of Aloha, imaging receiving and giving kisses and hugs all day, every day. As a child, I always felt loved. I do remember, however, in the keiki days, going to parties and being expected to honi everyone, and I mean EVERYONE - the aunties, uncles, cousins old and young, their friends and people we didn't know - "Honi!" on command - and we performed. Even when feeling shy about meeting other people, that feeling quickly dissipated after the first honi... and then of course, when the party was over and it was time to go, we'd make our rounds again and have to honi the same people, only this time around, it wasn't so terrifying.
I love all the resources the A'o makua papa offer, and have been writing papers on my research. It is time consuming but very necessary to look up the Hawaiian words for accuracy and to be sure they are spelled correctly - otherwise I might not be talking about the right word. Does anyone know if there is there an easier way to write a Hawaiian word with the kahako (one you already know how to spell) besides going to Ulukau and typing in the word, copying and pasting to the document? I tried downloading the software, but I think my computer doesn't like it...
Anyway, I look forward to reading everyone's posts! Have a great week.
Aloha, Cami
Today I posted for my Ku'u wahi noho (Where I live) online class, offered through Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning program. Our classmates are from all over the country. In my last class, we had students from all over the world! Anyway, our Kumu (teacher) wants us to introduce ourselves and tell what were the first Hawaiian words we learned and also, what were the circumstances. This was my contribution:
Aloha e Kumu Luana a me haumana, (Greetings Teacher Luana and fellow students,)
'O Cami ko'u inoa. (My name is Cami.)
Noho au i Santa Barbara, CA. (I am from Santa Barbara, CA.)
It is so wonderful to take another papa ʻōlelo (language class) and to reconnect with nā haumana (the students).
I grew up in the ʻāina haina area, on the east side of 'O'ahu. Only proper English was allowed in our house growing up, with dialogue heavily sprinkled with Hawaiian words... When out of earshot of our parents, we'd speak Pidgin so the other kids would play with us. Funny how these memories come back after all these years.
I meditated and asked my ʻAumākua what my first Hawaiian word was. I initially thought it might have been Aloha, but I got a strong message of two words: poi and honi. Poi, I guess, pretty obvious. Probably baby's first "solid" food, made from pounded kalo (taro). Honi, not so obvious unless you were brought up in the islands. In Hawai'i, we give and receive kisses all day, every day from the day you were born. It is a beautiful tradition that doesn't happen very often here on the mainland, unless you meet other Hawaiians, in which case when we do recognize one another as Kama'aina (children of the land), we immediately kiss instead of shaking hands.
If you were not brought up in the tradition of Aloha, imaging receiving and giving kisses and hugs all day, every day. As a child, I always felt loved. I do remember, however, in the keiki days, going to parties and being expected to honi everyone, and I mean EVERYONE - the aunties, uncles, cousins old and young, their friends and people we didn't know - "Honi!" on command - and we performed. Even when feeling shy about meeting other people, that feeling quickly dissipated after the first honi... and then of course, when the party was over and it was time to go, we'd make our rounds again and have to honi the same people, only this time around, it wasn't so terrifying.
I love all the resources the A'o makua papa offer, and have been writing papers on my research. It is time consuming but very necessary to look up the Hawaiian words for accuracy and to be sure they are spelled correctly - otherwise I might not be talking about the right word. Does anyone know if there is there an easier way to write a Hawaiian word with the kahako (one you already know how to spell) besides going to Ulukau and typing in the word, copying and pasting to the document? I tried downloading the software, but I think my computer doesn't like it...
Anyway, I look forward to reading everyone's posts! Have a great week.
Aloha, Cami
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