Hōlua, A Sled for Coasting Down Hillsides.
Cover Image: Masthead of Ka Nai Aupuni published on December 6, 1905.
Dear Reader,
Last month we shared an article about the Hawaiian National Museum, located within Aliʻiōlani Hale. In 1891, much of the collection was transferred to Bishop Museum. Emma Nakuina, curatrix of the National Museum, writes in her “Catalog of Specimens in the Hawaiian Government Museum” about the Hōlua of Lonoikamakahiki:
A sled for coasting down hillsides. This was a favorite pastime for the young men of the olden times. In fact, it was a point of honor with those of good birth to excel in all such athletic games, which required them to be always in perfect physical condition, and thus, always available for soldiers in case of war. Holua ways were regularly laid out and was an important feature of every district affording facilities for them.
By 1898, much of the Hawaiian National Museum collection was permanently transferred to Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. In 1905, Ka Na’i Aupuni published an article about another hōlua found by Mr. Napoleon Kalolii Pukui in Hoʻokena, South Kona. A photograph of this hōlua was included in the December 15, 1905 issue of Ka Nupepa Kuokoa.
Image: “PAPA HOLUA KAHIKO I LOAA MAI NEI MA HOOKENA, HAWAII.” Ka Nupepa Kuokoa, December 15, 1905, p. 1.
Image: “Ka Papa Heeholua o ke Kamaliiwahine Kanemama o Hookena Kona Hema, Hawaii,” Ka Na’i Aupuni, December 6, 1905, p. 2.
The Sled of Princess Kaneamama
of
Hoʻokena, South Kona, Hawaiʻi
On the sixth of this past November, a Hawaiian sled of very old times was found inside of a hidden cave at Hoʻokena, South Kona, on the island of Hawaiʻi. This sled was found by our dear friend Mr. N. K. Pukui, a young gentleman traveling agent of the Hawaiian Realty and Maturity Co. When the sled was found, the native-born of Hoʻokena said that this sled was something very new to them.
It is believed that this sled was left in that cave for two hundred years, from the time when Keawenuiaʻumi was king of Hawaiʻi.
When the elders of Hoʻokena were made aware of it, they recalled what their parents and grandparents had said. The sled belonged to a chiefess of Hoʻokena of old times. Her name was Kaneamama and her elder sister was the kaukau aliʻi of Keauhou. These two women greatly enjoyed pleasures. Since Kaneamama was ruling over Hoʻokena, she declared to her people to build a sledding course. The sledding course was built, and the chiefess raced down atop her sled. It is said that this sled has no equal to what is found in museums all over the world. This sled was made of breadfruit tree and is beautiful in appearance.
A surfboard was also found. They can be seen in the office of the Hawaiian Realty and Maturity Co. here in Honolulu.
Image: Kahua holua, sledding course. Puʻuhinahina, Kapuʻa, South Kona, Hawaiʻi. Photo by K. P. Emory. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 16513.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
Image: Man with hōlua. Paradise of the Pacific, ca. 1935. Bishop Museum Archives, SP 33007.
Image sharing on social media is welcome. For all other uses please contact Archives@BishopMuseum.org.
This post is part of He Aupuni Palapala: Preserving and Digitizing the Hawaiian Language Newspapers, a partnership between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu with assistance from Kamehameha Schools. Mahalo nui loa to Hawaii Tourism Authority for their support. Learn more about this project here.
