Ka ʻŌnohi
(The Rainbow Patch)
According to the Hawaiian-English dictionaries, this is the definition o this type of rainbow:
Pukui/Elbert: 2. n., Patch or fragment of a rainbow.
Parker: 4. A small cloud which reflects the colors of the spectrum: Ike aku la oia e ku ana ka onohi iluna pono o Maunalei. Laieik. p. 25.
Unverified Photos: These photos demonstrate this type of rainbow based on the authorʻs understanding of the dictionary definitions, context within some Hawaiian legends, newspaper articles, and Hawaiian language recordings. They are not definitive.
Photo by: Hoaloha Westcott
Signs and omens
This type of beautiful rainbow is often seen in Hawaiʻi. It can be a sign or omen for a variety of things as described below:
Photo by: Hoaloha Westcott
According to the legends This type of rainbow appears on 4 different occasions in the 4 legends analyzed in this study. It represents 3 different signs/omens as shown in the table to the right.
When does it appear
"Kau ka 'ōnohi ali'i i luna."
According to a Hawiian poetical saying:
"The royal eyes rest above."
A rainbow-a sign that the gods are watching the chiefs-is now visible.
Photo by: Hoaloha Westcott