Poliʻahu

Malalo o ka Pō Lani – Myths and Legends of Maunakea

Myths and Legends help explain the world around us, and our place within it. Join Manu Josiah and Leilehua Yuen as they tell the story of Maunakea at a million years an hour! Hear how ancient legend and modern geology tell the same story of this special place.

History, myths, and legends of Maunakea are presented in a whirlwind of storytelling. Accompanied by music played by Manu Josiah on ancient and modern traditional Hawaiian instruments, storyteller Leilehua Yuen begins by chanting the moʻokuʻauhau of Kauikeaouli which describes Maunakea as the firstborn of Hawaiʻi. As it travels to modern times, the story weaves back and forth between legend and contemporaneous history as found in the geological record, juxtaposing poetry and science at the nexus of observation. The program ends with a prophetic chant and hula that describes the mountainous islands sinking back into the sea. The stories metaphorically explore the place of humanity in the cosmos.

Each month, Hawaiian Cultural Practitioners share perspectives on an aspect of Hawaiian culture, history, and/or arts relating to the natural history of Maunakea. The “Malalo o ka Pō Lani” cultural program is held on the fourth Saturday of every month in the Ellison Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station’s presentation room at the 9,300 ft eleveation on Mauna Kea.  For more information on programs at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station please visit our web site: www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis or call us at (808) 961-2180.

Time: 6:00 pm
Date: Saturday, Spetember 24
Place:
Presentation Room of the Maunakea Visitor Information Station

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Maunakea Observatories Weather Forecast

Weather on Maunakea can be variable, so dress in layers. The high altitude can be dehydrating. Bring extra water to drink. There are no gas stations on the mountain, so be sure your vehicle is fully fueled and that the brakes are able to handle the steep incline, especially driving downhill.

For more information on myths and legends of Maunakea, visit:

Myths and Legends of Maunakea by Leilehua Yuen

Navigating the Universe from Maunakea by Marya Mann

Pilgrimage to the Sky by Marya Mann

The Story of Kūkahauʻula and Poliʻahu by ʻAhuʻena Taylor

Legend as Information Science by Keawe Vrendenberg