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The Green Rainbow
The Hakahakaea

 

There is only one member of this group, namely, the hakahakaea.

The features of the hakahakaea

According to the Hawaiian-English dictionaries, this is the definition o this type of rainbow:

Pukui/Elbert:      n., Rainbow with much green color.[1]

 

Primary trait:             A rainbow with predominately green color

Secondary trait:        A rainbow fragment

                                 A rainbow associated with a cloud                

A hakahakaea (na Amnartk | Shutterstock.com)

Witnessing a green rainbow is very rare. For that reason it is difficult to find pictures of this beautiful rainbow. 

The strata that the hakahakaea appears

As a result of the association of the hakahakaea with clouds, it appears in the lewa lani lewa, the lewa nuʻu and the lewa lani.

The times that the hakahakaea appears

From the scientific perspective, the times that a hakahakaea appears are the same as the arching rainbows. The green color shows predominately due to the water drop size within a cloud. From the Hawaiian perspective, a hakahakaea can appear at any time, it is under supernatural control.

 

The signs/omens of the hakahakaea

Just one example of a hakahakaea was found within the traditional Hawaiian stories that were analyzed. It is a sign concerning a path to the heavens. However, according to one source, the hakahakaea is a sign of an approaching large storm.[2]

In one story in a Hawaiian language newspaper a man and a women lived in the land called Kuaihelani.  Launahenahe was the name of the beautiful women and Kāʻapeʻape was the name of the handsome man.  In Kuaihelani, Kāʻapeʻape lived in a cave and Launahenahe lived in a fern leaf house inside a rainbow cloud.  One day Launahenahe emerged from the house and brushed away the mist of the rainbow cloud.  Launahenahe and Kāʻapeʻape saw each other and their desire to be together grew.  Launahenahe grabbed a green rainbow a perched it directly in the opening of the cave that Kāʻapeʻape was caring for.  As for this green rainbow, it is the road that Launahenahe went along and came together with Kāʻapeʻape.  According to this story (translated quote):

"As for the Hakahakaea, it is the green rainbow that was suspended from the tall leaf house until it entered inside the cave.  When the wispy mist cleared, Launahenahe was in the opening of the cave, the place where he proudly stood for his sweetheart."[3]

 

 

[1] n.d. Wehewehe Wikiwiki. Ke Kulanui o Hawaiʻi ma Hilo. https://hilo.hawaii.edu/wehe/.

[2] Mika Lee, interview by Anthony Aalto. 2013. Hana Hou Magazine: Signs and Wonders Hana Hou Magazine, (January).

[3] ʻAʻole ʻike ʻia ka mea kākau. (1898, 26 Maraki). Ka Moʻolelo o Lau Nahenahe ka Wahine ui hoohai o ka aina polo-polo-au o Keolewa i Hoao me Kaapeape.   Ka Loea Kalaiaina.  ʻaoʻao 1.

Hakahakaea.png

na Amnartk | Shutterstock.com

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