Pōhaku ʻUla ʻUla Kuʻula: The Sacred Red Stone of Fishermen
In Hawaiian tradition, the Pōhaku ʻUla ʻUla Kuʻula—literally “red stone of Kuʻula”—was a sacred symbol of protection, gratitude, and divine connection between the lawaiʻa (fishermen) and Kuʻula Kai, the god of the sea. These stones were the physical anchor of devotion, representing both the god’s presence and the fisher’s commitment to balance between taking and giving.
1. Meaning and Purpose
The pōhaku ʻula ʻula was more than a charm—it was an altar in miniature, a vessel for prayer.
- ʻUla ʻula (red) represented divine power (mana), vitality, and the living force of the ocean.
- Pōhaku (stone) symbolized permanence, endurance, and the bond between land (ʻāina) and sea (kai).
“E Kuʻula Kai, e ola ka pōhaku ʻula ʻula.”
O Kuʻula of the sea, let the red stone live.
2. How the Stones Were Made and Kept
The red stones were carefully chosen, often from riverbeds or volcanic areas where natural red tints appeared—signs of the god’s favor.
- Color: Achieved through iron-rich basalt or by staining stones with ʻalaea (red earth).
- Shape: Usually rounded or egg-like—no sharp edges, symbolizing harmony.
- Placement: Set facing the sea, sometimes adorned with ti leaves or small offerings of fish.
3. Ritual Use Among Fishermen
Every master netmaker and fisher offered to the pōhaku ʻula ʻula Kuʻula before beginning the day’s work. Offerings included:
- The first fish of the catch, returned to the sea beside the stone.
- A pinch of salt and drops of fresh seawater.
- Prayers of thanks for safe passage and fair currents.
“He ʻula ka pōhaku, he ola no ke kai.”
The red stone is life for the sea.
4. Association with Kuʻula Kai and ʻAiʻai
According to legend, Kuʻula Kai gifted the first red stone to his son ʻAiʻai, who used it to bless fishing shrines (hiʻa koʻa) across the islands. Each shrine contained a sacred stone believed to attract fish and ensure calm seas.
5. Connection to Netmaking and Fishing Tools
The pōhaku ʻula ʻula Kuʻula was part of every netmaker’s spiritual toolkit. Before the first throw, the ʻupena, hiʻa (needle), and haha (gauge) were touched to the stone for blessing.
“E hoʻopaʻa i nā maka o ka ʻupena, e paʻa i ka ʻuhane o Kuʻula.”
Bind the eyes of the net; bind the spirit of Kuʻula within it.
6. Modern Legacy
Even today, descendants of Hawaiian fishing families keep small red stones in canoes, tackle boxes, or near household shrines. They are reminders that the ocean must be approached with care, never entitlement.
“E mālama i ka pōhaku ʻula, e ola ka ʻohana lawaiʻa.”
Care for the red stone, and the fishing family will live.
The Lesson of the Pōhaku ʻUla ʻUla Kuʻula
The red stone teaches that true strength lies in humility. It anchors the fisher’s faith, the netmaker’s patience, and the ocean’s generosity. It is a covenant made solid — a promise that if the sea is respected, it will always return abundance.
Upena™️
lawaia@upenahub.com
(A’ole i pau)
Footnotes
- Malo, Hawaiian Antiquities — “Kuʻula and the Pōhaku ʻUla ʻUla.”
- Beckwith, Hawaiian Mythology — “Legends of Kuʻula Kai and ʻAiʻai.”
- Pukui, ʻŌlelo Noʻeau — “He ʻula ka pōhaku, he ola no ke kai.”
- Titcomb, Native Use of Fish in Hawaiʻi (1948).
- Bishop Museum Archives — oral histories of fishermen and sacred stones in Hāna, Puna, and Molokaʻi.
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